Asus and Google Nexus 7 successor landing in May

Asus and Google are working together again to bring another Nexus-branded 7-inch tablet to market in May, according to reports out of China.

The rumour comes courtesy of that veritable font of tech speculation Digitimes, which cites ambiguous 'sources from the upstream supply chain,' as the origins of this new information.

Allegedly the Nexus 7 did rather well with shipments expected to reach 10 million units fairly soon. With that in mind, Google and Asus have apparently renewed their partnership with plans for a successor model.

Reportedly, engineering samples of a 'second-generation Nexus 7' have been doing the rounds within the Asian supply network and this new model is said to be planned for the same price point as the original device.

For the same low price it's expected buyers will enjoy an improved spec list with a Full HD 1080p display and an 'industrial design' with a narrower bezel.

The report also says the new Nexus 7 will feature 'Google's upgraded Jelly Bean-based Android operating system to enhance integration between the software and the hardware.' Whatever that means. Either Android 4.2 or a new 4.3 build then? We'll have to wait and see.

It's unlikely Google or Asus would showcase a Nexus device at Mobile World Congress at the end of February and will probably hold everything back for Google I/O, pegged for May 15.

Google could well be cashing in on its budget Android Nexus success at this year's Google I/O with rumours pointing to both a Nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 10 tablet reboot.