From Google News

Its body has no flourishes. Its version of Android is unaltered. There are no special bells or whistles pre-installed.

Yet this utter lack of showiness adds up to one of the best Android tablet experiences available.

The tablet, manufactured by Asus to Google's specifications, has a screen that measures a compact 7 inches, hence the name. Nothing about the body really stands out other than a Nexus logo, though it has a clean look and light weight while still feeling solid.

Unlike nearly every other tablet out there, the Nexus 7 runs the stock version of Android. In fact, it's the latest version of Jelly Bean, though there are few changes most users will notice other than reworked camera options and support for more languages.

Compared to most other Android tablets, there are a minimum of apps loaded onto it. Of course there's the expected array of Google services, including the voice search capabilities of Google Now, the media options of Google Play, and even Google Plus, the social network few people use.

But that's pretty much it. It's almost jarring to not see redundant map widgets, games you'll never use and pointless graphical flourishes strewn about by manufacturers or wireless carriers.

But no one ever clamors for crapware. The Nexus 7 doesn't try to bludgeon you over the head with the latest random whims; instead, it quietly gets out of the way and lets you use your tablet however you feel like with no compromises. Miss links to the NFL or a handy weather widget? Just download the ones you like and tweak them to your heart's content.

As far as blank canvasses go, Google has built one that's versatile. The Nexus 7 has enough power to smoothly handle whatever you throw at it. The stock Android layout has become so simplified and intuitive that you won't have to dig through any of the obscure menus that plagued Android in the past, plus the lack of modifications means you'll get system updates as soon as they're available.

While you might not win any professional photography competitions with the Nexus 7's 5-megapixel camera, it takes pictures well enough for most people. That's a decent bonus to have when many other manufacturers skimp on tablet cameras.

OK, there's one feature that stands out - the price. Other than the Kindle Fire HD and Nook Tablet, Android tablets under $300 tend to be awful. But the Nexus 7 brings steady, reliable performance at just $229 and is more open and flexible than the offerings from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Nexus 7 doesn't bring the flash. But after a short time you won't miss it, thanks to the tablet's rock-steady substance.

Original Print Headline: Android tablet solid in all ways