Google & Asus working on a $99 variant of Nexus 7 tablet

Google is reportedly working with Asus to launch an ultra-cheap $99 variant of Nexus 7 tablet. The Jelly Bean tablet, which has been dubbed as the best Android tablet right now by many, is currently sold for $199 in the United States and similar prices in other countries, but a $99 version, if real, would simply be too good.

Digitimes, which is reporting the above news, isn’t a very credible source, but still worthy of mention.

According to Digitimes, Google is currently working on two new versions of Nexus 7 tablet, which will be thinner than the existing tablet and use touchscreen panels made by Taiwan-based panel maker HannStar Display.

One of the models will be priced at $199 while the other will be priced just $$99, and both models are expected to hit markets by the end of 2012, added Digitimes.

Given the upcoming 7.85-inch Apple iPad, Google wants to be ready with its full arsenal and with the three Nexus 7 tablets, the portfolio indeed looks good.

There is no word on the specs of the tablets, but given the price cut, we suspect, we won’t see Tegra 3 quad-core processor in the $99 version and RAM also might be decreased to just 512MB.

The current Nexus 7 tablet features Android 4.1.1, quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, 8/16GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS and a front camera.

We have also heard rumours of a 3G variant of the tablet to be in works, and the $199 version might be the same, with current Wi-Fi variant getting a price cut to $149.