Most people choose to protect their tablet and phones with covers and cases. The proponents of the case and cover for gadgets say that using them will help increase the lifespan of their device and keep them looking good for a longer period of time. The opponents, on the other side, say that a plastic case won’t do much to protect an electronic device and it simply adds weight and bulk to it. On which side do you place yourself?
If you, like us, believe it’s very important for your Nexus 9 tablet to be protected, then this article is for you! Today, we’re going to take a look at the brand-new Nexus 9 tablet, we’re going to discover some Nexus 9 cases and covers and we’re going to give you a few tips and tricks on how to choose a tablet case and cover that will best satisfy your needs.
About Google Nexus
Google Nexus is a line of smartphones, tablets and set-tops boxes that run Android. Google is in charge of the marketing, development, design and support, but the manufacturing is carried out by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). The current line includes the Nexus 5 smartphone which is made in partnership with LG, the Nexus 6 smartphone (with Motorola Mobility), the Nexus 9 tablet (with HTC) and the Nexus Player (made in partnership with Asus). At first it may seem a bit confusing, the naming of the devices and the fact that the manufacturers keep changing from year to year, but if you are a fan of Google and Android, you won’t be too bothered by this.
Nexus 9 Tech Specs
Google Nexus 9 was released in November 2014. The 8.9-inch tablet is the first tablet from Google to run Android Lollipop and it is available in white, gold and black. So what’s new in Lolllipop? Well, you’ve got interactive lock screen notifications, new apps functions and a brand-new quick setting menu. The whole operating system got boosted and it is definitely superior to the previous OS.
As for the design, the Nexus 9 has rounded corners which makes it really comfortable to hold in your hands, especially in landscape position. What makes it so nice to hold is the fact that the metal frame that wraps around its body is wide enough for your fingers to rest on, without touching the screen and icons.
The tech specs are very impressive, as they should be on a flagship Google device: the Google Nexus 9 has a 2.3 GHz dual-core Denver CPU and a 192-core Kepler DX1 GPU. It’s also got Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication). The Nexus 9 does not include a microSD card expansion slot, which is going to upset many, but Google is putting all their faith in their cloud-based services.
The Google Nexus comes in two internal size models: the 16GB and the 32GB and it has 2GB of RAM. The display boasts 2,048×1,536 pixels and the HTC BoomSound speakers are clear and loud with the perfect amount of bass. The 8MP rear camera takes surprisingly good photos for a tablet camera and the 360-degree Photo Sphere function is pretty cool.
The Google Nexys 9 can be bought directly from Google and the starting price for the 16GB model is $399. The 32GB model will set you back $479 and the 4G LTE 32GB model costs $599.
In conclusion, the Google Nexus 9 tablet is a steady and fine tablet. The first one to run Android Lollipop, it performs very well with many apps open, but unfortunately, not all apps run smooth on this new OS. Also, another big minus for this tablet is the fact that the largest capacity offered is 32GB and you cannot increase that with the help of an SD card, because there is no slot!
How to Choose a Tablet Case and Cover
When choosing a tablet case or cover, you need to keep in mind a lot of things, such as: will it protect my tablet well enough? Is it cool enough or does it offer any additional accessories. The main purpose of a tablet cover and case is to protect your tablet from scratches and shocks. But you’ll want your cover/case to also reflect your personal style and even bring additional accessories, such as a keyboard. All this is irrelevant without a price tag that you can afford, naturally.
A case is hard encasing, where you put your tablet to be protected against shocks, dust and even harsh direct light. The main pros of using a case is that it will indeed prolong the life of your tablet, while keeping it in better shape, but the majority of them will also make your tablet heavier. A case can be made out of many different materials, including plastic or silicone. Silicone ones are very popular and are made to stretch and take the shape of the tablet, protecting the back and the edges. There are plenty of brands and styles to choose from and we’re going to take a look at the most popular ones soon.
A cover, on the other side, is usually soft and will protect against scratches, but not against shocks. Let’s take a look at the three different types of covers and cases and how they can protect your tablet and make it the coolest tablet on the block:
- A skin will protect your tablet from dirt and scratches. They are available in a plethora of colors and styles, so if you’re the type of person who gets bored easily, then we recommend you get different types of skins for different occasions. A nice Christmas-theme skin would look fabulous during this time of year.
- A sleeve will offer protection as long as the tablet is paced inside it, but if you want to use your tablet, you need to take it out of it. It’s very handy when travelling and are usually made out of neoprene with soft interiors, such as flannel.
- A folio will pretty much make your tablet look like a book. It will make it easier to be held, but it will also make your tablet weigh just a little bit more.
Now that you know the basic styles of covers and cases, which one do you need or want?
Cool Nexus 9 Cases and Covers
Whether you’re looking to buy a case or cover for yourself, or plant to give a Nexus 9 case and cover to your friends and family as a Christmas gift, here are the most popular and awesome Nexus 9 cases and covers!
Our first choice, which should be your first choice to if you can afford it, is the HTC Magic Cover, the only official accessory for the Nexus 9, if you don’t include the keyboard case. We’re saying that it should be your first choice, because it truly is the best cover for your Nexus 9. It’s also quite expensive, $39.99.
The HTC Magic Cover is actually a magnetic attachment cover that can be put on both the front and the back of the tablet. The cover can fold into two standing positions, low for typing and upright for viewing. With the help of the HTC Magic Cover, you’ve got automatic screen sleep and wakeup when the cover is removed. Another cool trick that this case is able to perform is that the camera app is launched when the flap folds away. The only other downside of this cover, aside from the steep price is that it is only available in four colors: Mint Indigo Green, Black, Coral and Limestone.
Poetic Revolution Nexus 9 Case
This case from Poetic is part of their revolution series. The hardshell of this Case will protect your Nexus 9 tablet from pretty much all the elements, as it makes your Nexus 9 water resistant and dustproof. The TPU skin will help absorb shocks and prevent the tablet from scratching. Because the case will make your tablet water resistant, all the ports are sealed and it comes with a built-in screen protector. It comes in four basic colors: Black, White, Red and Blue. The Poetic Revolution Nexus 9 Case is available on Amazon for $14.95!
This simple and affordable sleeve is made from PU leather and is available in Brown, Black and Dark Red. If you’re not into magnetic covers or bulky cases, we recommend this cute little sleeve which even has the Nexus logo printed on it. The CeoCase Nexus 9 Sleeve is only $9.99!
The Kayscase TPU Cover is made from, as the name implies, TPU material and it features a minimalistic design, which doesn’t keep it from protecting your Nexus 9 tablet. While this particular cover is made for the Nexus 7, the fact that the material is made from is very soft and malleable, it is perfect for Nexus 9. You can get the Kayscase TPU Cover from Amazon, for the price of $11.95.
Poetic is one of the most popular case manufacturers in the US and the Bumper Turtle Skin series is the most eagerly-awaited line of tablet cases at the moment. The series won’t be launched until December 22nd, so make sure you’re on the lookout when the time comes. The Poetic Bumper Case will feature a slim silicon case with slots for the speaker grills. One function that makes this case pretty impressive is a speaker amplification for better sound. The Poetic Bumper Case is available on Amazon for the price of $14.99, not too bad for a case with a three year guarantee!
This is not your regular slim case or folio! It’s a heavy duty case that will protect your precious Google Nexus 9 against dust and shocks, thanks to the layer of polycarbonate shell. It also features a built-in screen protector. One case from the SupCase Heavy Duty Series will set you back around $40.
If you can’t see yourself spending $40 on the HTC Magic Cover, then we recommend this very similar, yet cheaper smart cover, from Moko. It comes in 6 colors and it features the exact same magnetic mechanism of closing and the same wake/sleep feature that the HTC Magic Cover does. It is made from a durable PU leather and the inside features a soft lining that will protect the display. It can also be folded just like the official case from HTC, which makes this copy-cat case, the second best Google Nexus 9 cover available today! The Moko Smart Cover costs $10.98 on Amazon.
Evecase Google Nexus 9 Leather Folio Case
The Evecase Leather Folio Case is probably the cheapest leather case you’ll find online! It is available in 6 different colors and has a built-in stylus holder, in case you’re passionate about those. This case costs $9.89 and you can get it on Amazon.
Bear Motion Folio Case for Google Nexus 9
The Bear Motion Folio Case is made from premium PU leather and it also functions as a stand with multiple viewing angles. PU leather is also known as bicast leather and is a material made with split leather backing that is covered a layer of polyurethane. The Bear Motion Folio Case for Google Nexus 9 costs $15.99 and is available on Amazon.
Fintie Slim Fit Folio Cover for HTC Google Nexus 9
The greatest thing about this affordable folio is that it is available in 11 colors. It’s going to protect your Nexus 9 and it’s going to look fabulous doing it! Buy the Fintie Slim Fir Folio Cover for $8.99.
Other popular case and cover brands are:
- Moleskine – this classic brand may be famous for their high-quality journals and schedulers, but of late, Moleskine has been making tablet cases and they’re incredibly popular and well-made. Any choice of model and pattern from this company will ensure that your Nexus 9 is looking sharp, while being well-taken care of.
- Samsonite – this company is new on the tablet case market. Having launched its first case in May of 2014, Samsonite will give you the best in the business, especially after at the beginning of this year, it acquired famous US-based distributor and designer of protective cases, Speck Products.
- Vera Bradley – if wild and vivid colors is what you’re after, then Vera Bradley is the way to go!
2015 Nexus Tablet Rumors
A rumor concerning the fate of the Google line of devices surfaced at the beginning of this year. According to Russian blogger, Eldar Murtazin, Google is planning to kill its line of Nexus devices and introduce instead Google Play products.
To be honest, if you think about it, the rumors make a lot of sense. The Google Play devices, the Moto G, Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One, are the flagship Androids right now, and if the companies that produce them manage to release software updates in time, there is no reason to have a Nexus line. But on the other hand, we have a hard time imagining that Google will simply kill a line it has spent six years developing.
This rumor is almost a year old and a new rumor has just surfaced about the fate of the Nexus tablets. According to a recent report, there is a new Google Nexus tablet in the works and it will bear the HTC brand, again!
The device is expected to be launched in 2015 and it is expected to be a high-end gadget. The Nexus 9 is the first tablet HTC has released in three years, and it makes sense for the company to only focus on high-end devices.
Only time will tell if that Google will discontinue the Nexus line of tablets in 2015 or if we can expect a new Nexus tablet from HTC. We believe that some changes will indeed be made to the line, maybe even some serious ones, such as killing one of two products, but for Google to discontinue entire line of Google Nexus, we strongly doubt it. What are your thoughts about this?
Roxanne Briean
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