Google takes on Apple's iPad mini with its new super-slim Nexus 7

Google has unveiled a new tablet set to seriously challenge Apple’s iPad mini.

The new Nexus 7 is built by Asus and has a seven-inch, 1980x1200 display - the world's highest resolution screen - that offers almost double the pixels per inch than the iPad mini despite being around £100 cheaper.It also has a 5MP rear-facing camera for the first time, and a faster 1.5Ghz processor compared to the first-generation Nexus 7 device.

The new Nexus 7 is the first gadget to be shipped on an updated version of Google's Jelly Bean operating system, Android 4.3, and will come in three models: 16GB Wi-Fi for £149 ($229), 32GB Wi-Fi for £175 ($269) and a 64GB LTE model that costs £227 ($349).

 All three devices will go on sale in the U.S from 30 July and across Europe in 'the coming weeks.'

Microsoft set to shrink its Surface: Software giant plans 7 inch 'Xbox' tablet to take on the iPad mini

The Surface tablet was unveiled earlier this year to a lukewarm reception - Now Microsoft is believed to be developing a smaller version to take on Apple's iPad mini

Microsoft is developing a smaller version of its Surface tablet with a 7inch screen, it has been claimed.

The tablet is expected to go on sale later this year, and will go head to head with Apple's iPad Mini, Google's Nexus 7 and the Amazon Kindle Fire in the lucrative small tablet market.

It is hoped the devices could reverse the disappointing sales of the larger Surface tablet which Microsoft launched this year

'The software giant is developing a new lineup of its Surface tablets, including a 7-inch version expected to go into mass production later this year,', The Wall Street Journal said