Two New Editions to the GPe family

[stoosh]

In an unexpected move both the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 have been added to the Google Play Edition family and are available in the US Google Play Store.

Both will ship with Kit Kat 4.4 and are priced at $649 and $349.99 respectively.

It's great to see GPe versions of flagship phones so consumers who do not like heavily skinned manufactured versions can opt for the GPe versions instead.

Shame no one else outside the US can get hold of GPe phones.

Link below for more details

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http://www.xda-developers.com/android/lg-g-pad-8-3-and-sony-z-ultra-google-play-edition-devices-now-available/

 

[Orcvader]

I wasn't expecting this at all, but it's great to see the LG G Pad 8.3, it's a great tablet but the LG UI puts me off, it looks too cluttered.

So I guess having a GPe is the cool thing now?

 

[stoosh]

I wasn't expecting this at all, but it's great to see the LG G Pad 8.3, it's a great tablet but the LG UI puts me off, it looks too cluttered.

So I guess having a GPe is the cool thing now?

Considering you can pick up a LG G Pad 8.3 for around £250 and am assuming it must be fairly simple to flash a GPe ROM onto it the G Pad's actually quite a viable option. Shame there isn't a GSM/3G/LTE version though.

Yeah I suppose having a GPe variant is the thing next to Nexus devices.

 

[stoosh]

Taken from the LG G Pad thread....

So the LG G Pad 8.3 GPe turned up today, what a nice surprise for Christmas

First impressions - 8.3 inches is a good size for a tablet, screen real estate looks good and this is more of a tablet a nice compromise between 7" - 10" tablets.

The build quality is phenomenal, the aluminium metal back is classy and adds a nice feel to the device.

Moving onto the screen itself for an LCD screen its great, the colours are accurate. It's not as bright or detailed as the Nexus 7 2013 screen but for the extra size it's a superb screen.

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The advantage of owning a GPe device..this...

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4.4.2 update notification appeared within 10 mins of switching the G Pad on.

In my very short time with messing around with the device I'm certainly impressed and looking forward to using it.

Google / LG made a smart move designating the LG G Pad 8.3 as a Google device, shame that Google don't sell GPe devices outside of the United States, a lot of peeps are missing out on a solid and viable alternative to the Nexus 7 2013.

Shame it doesn't come in a 3G/LTE version

 

[kona786]

Very nice! Your best tablet purchase so far

 

[stoosh]

Very nice! Your best tablet purchase so far

Most definitely, thanks Mate

Performance IMHO is much better than the Nexus 7 2013 and the real estate on the screen makes it a joy to use.

I'll be happy to keep the tablet for a fair while which is unlike me

EDIT Enabled ART and the LG G Pad's flying, not that it was a slouch before. Been watching stuff on Sky Go and the extra real estate makes watching media a joy.

Am seriously impressed with this tablet, running 4.4.2 is just the icing on the cake.