The first Google Play Edition slate has been unveiled, and it’s the LG G Pad 8.3. As with the “Google-ized” Xperia Z Ultra, this tablet replaces its older Android OS with the new 4.4 KitKat.
Running on stock Android means the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition does not come with LG’s own apps additions, which happened to be many and heavily customized. Choosing between the original tablet and this new iteration is then all about versatility versus simplicity. And by having the Google brand, this new slate also gets the privilege of getting updated to the latest Android version sooner than other devices.
The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition comes with hardware specs identical to the original’s. To recap, a Snapdragon 600 processor, Adreno 320 GPU, and 2GB of RAM run under the hood to power an 8.3-inch display with 1,920×1,200 (WUXGA) resolution. There’s a 5-megapixel camera at the back, coupled with a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera.
For its black variant with 16GB internal storage, the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition will cost $349.99. It’s now for sale through the Play Store, though no word for a Philippine availability has been announced.