Nexus 9: One More Look Before You Get Your Hands On

With Google and HTC working hand in hand, the bigger and more expensive Nexus 9 is set to make its mark in the market. Tagged at a starting price of $399 with a 9-inch display, the new tablet is now giving Apple's iPad Air models some good competition.

Nexus 9 has already appeared and has gone on sale on Google's Play Store, offering the Wi-Fi version for the meantime. Coming very soon is the LTE version. The Android 5.0 Lollipop powered device is available in black and white variants, while the tan version is next to come, Android Central reports.

This device is already available in various countries like: the US, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, UK and Switzerland.

The Nexus 9 may be shipping very, very soon on some location but fans and tech enthusiasts can get it sooner from retailers like Best Buy, SlashGear.com reports.

The Nexus 7 tablet has been discontinued and the new Nexus 9 which runs on Lollipop is said to be the perfect replacement.

I'm sure you have read a bunch of reviews regarding the Nexus 9. If you are still interested in getting your hands on this Google-HTC collaboration, it wouldn't hurt if you will munch on this latest review from Wall Street Journal.

Compared to the flashy and eye-catching aluminum iPads or the chrome-edged and pleather-backed Galaxy tabs, the Nexus 9 sports a minimal yet functional and refreshing style. With its soft-touch plastic back it offers ease when held without the sticky feel. It is 0.31 inches thick and 0.93 pounds, it is definitely carryable using one hand however still no match to the ease brought by the thinner and lighter iPad Air 2.

The Nexus 9's design is not its strong selling point but what's really interesting about this latest tablet is that it is one of the first devices to use the Lollipop. That fact alone could entice consumers to get the product for them to get their first hand experience on the latest Android version.

Powered by Android 5.0, it makes the tab easier to use. For instance, you just double tap on the display to wake the tablet up. Another example, your notifications will be piled for your convenience right in the middle of the lock screen. You can swipe away the ones that you don't need or you can double tap on one that will lead you directly to the app that sent the notification.

The tablet's interface is packed with vivid colors making Google's clock, calculator and calendar apps look amazing. Equipped with Google Now, a service that predicts the things you need like appointments, sports scores, flight details, package deliveries, upcoming concerts and even upcoming birthdays. Well, this service answers your question of what Google has that Apple doesn't.

Like any new release, the Nexus 9 has its own loopholes. The Android apps still fall behind from iOS's apps. The iPad' apps are more tailor fit for larger screens, unlike some apps for the new Nexus 9 which appear weirdly stretched not fit for its gigantic screen.

Another miss on the new tab is that it shows less power to multi-task. Unlike its non-iOS rivals, like Samsung's ability to run multiple apps while Windows tablets can run apps side by side.

Already available in Google Play Store with the 16GB Wi-Fi only priced at US$399 and the 32GB at $479.