Nexus 7 2013: LTE Models Return To Google Play Store As Touchscreen System Fix Rolls In; Verizon Addresses Lack Of Availability

The 2013 Nexus 7 has been a troublesome device for many, but most problems surrounding the tablet appear to now be sorting themselves out.

2013 Nexus 7 Touchscreen Update

The 2013 Nexus 7 has been on the market since July and has faced numerous hardware and software woes. In addition to separate problems derived from the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system, which was introduced on the 2013 Nexus 7, the Nexus 7 also had its own ailments, including touchscreen, GPS and Wi-Fi defects that had many owners considering returning their tablets.

But a minor update for the 2013 Nexus 7 is now rolling out, which is supposed to address the tablet’s touch issues. The software update JSS15R is hitting Nexus 7 tablets at a miniscule 8MB, with no updates to the software changelog. In addition to touchscreen fixes, many expect to see other small bug fixes and security updates. Notably, the previous JSS15Q system update did not address any touchscreen problems, to the dismay of many. Some Nexus 7 owners report that Bluetooth issues with their tablet still persist with this current update.

2013 Nexus 7 LTE Availability

The LTE variant of the 2013 Nexus 7 has largely been elusive, but it made an appearance at the Google Play Store early last week, only to be taken out of availability early this week with no explanation. Initially, there was only the Nexus 7 LTE with a T-Mobile compatible SIM card on sale at the Google Play Store, but now the tablet is back on sale with T-Mobile and AT&T compatible SIM models as well as a standard no-SIM LTE model, which will be compatible with the three carriers that are to power the 2013 Nexus 7 LTE: T-Mobile, AT&T And Verizon.

2013 Nexus 7 LTE On Verizon

When Google announced the 2013 Nexus 7 and its LTE variant, it said the tablet would be a universal U.S. model with compatibility on T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Now it appears that the carriers actually do have models with specific compatible SIM cards. The Verizon model of the Nexus 7 LTE notably remains missing from the tablet lineup on the Google Play Store. However, a Verizon spokesperson recently told CNET that the Nexus 7 LTE is not yet Verizon 4G LTE-certified, which appears to be holding up its release on the network. Customers can reportedly expect news from Verizon once the tablet is certified, but how long that will take is uncertain. Despite the fact that the LTE variant of the 2013 Nexus 7 was released more than a month after its Wi-Fi models, Verizon appears to be sticking to its routine of making devices available well after their release on other carriers. Meanwhile, Android Authority notes that customers can power the standard model of the 2013 Nexus 7 LTE on Verizon with a microSIM card that has already been activated on another device.

Do you think the latest updates for the 2013 Nexus 7 are encouraging? Let us know in the comments below.

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