7 Essential Nexus 7 Accessories

The Nexus 7 tablet computer from Google is taking the tablet industry by storm, and its $200 price tag has everyone standing up and paying attention.

For a while, the inexpensive tablets were actually terrible and were dragging down the future prospects for tablets. That was until Amazon released its Kindle Fire at the $200 price-point. Then it was game-on, and a lot of great tablets hit the marketplace in that price range.

The Nexus 7 is definitely one of the great ones in the price range, complete with the latest Android operating system, Chrome browser built-in, and a screen big enough to matter but not so big as to jump it into the next class of more expensive tablets.

Of course any great tablet has its own list of great accessories that come from a wide range of sources, including the manufacturer as well as third-party developers. Here's a look at some of the must-have accessories for your new Nexus 7 tablet from Google.

1. Cases

Anyone who's ever owned—and dropped—a tablet of any kind can tell you the price of a case is well worth it, whether they actually bought one or not. Tablets aren't particularly delicate, nor are they particularly durable, which is why cases, ranging from around $10 to more than $100, are an excellent purchase.

They come in a wide range of colors, textures, materials, and enclosure types. At the most basic level, a case will protect the screen, and possibly protect the tablet from typical drops. At the higher end, cases include padding like laptop cases, zippers to keep the tablet safely inside, and often have a handle or a strap to further prevent potentially costly drops.

2. Chargers

The Nexus 7 tablet comes standard with a dual AC/USB charger, but there's always a need for either more of the same, or AC-only, or even car chargers for those who travel and have that need.

For less than about $12, you can have your choice of charges ranging from AC-only travel chargers, to car chargers that include small LCD panels to show the level of charge.

3. Car Kit

Car kits are mounting devices used to hold a device at such a height and angle to be useful while traveling. For around $25, Akron offers an excellent car mount for the Nexus 7, which is perfect for passengers or when you're using the tablet as a GPS.

4. Screen and Body Protectors

Screen and body protectors are excellent accessories for your Nexus 7. Even if you have a case for your tablet, which is highly recommended, there will be plenty of times when you will use your tablet without it. It's these times when your tablet is most vulnerable.

Body protectors run approximately $30 and are made of extremely durable carbon fibers, giving your tablet a very effective and additional level of protection against drops.

Screen protectors run closer to $20, and are simple to use. Not only do they protect the actual glass from scratches, the presence of a piece of film affixed with a mild adhesive is sometime enough to spell the difference between a crack or not when dropped.

Some are designed to reduce glare, but all are highly recommended to give you the best chance of extending the life of your tablet for as long as possible.

5. Bluetooth Headsets

Bluetooth headsets are awesome. The small earpiece syncs directly to your Nexus 7 and delivers both video and audio services for Skype or video chat. For right around $50, you can choose from dependable, quality Bluetooth headsets sure to enhance your tablet experience.

6. Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are incredible for movies, music, and other videos. These stereo headphones range from $50 to $100 and come in a variety of styles from many excellent manufacturers. Many of them also include a microphone component, allowing you to also use them for your Skype and other voice needs.

7. Bluetooth Keyboard

Tablets are awesome, except where they're not, and where they're not is when you're trying to type a large amount of words as quickly as possible.

The E-Stand Bluetooth keyboard for your Nexus 7 doubles as a portfolio, giving you dual and important functionalities. The portfolio protects both the keyboard and the tablet when close. Open the portfolio and props the tablet at the perfect angle to the keyboard, giving you the perfect input too when a lot of words and formatting are required.

At approximately $60, this Bluetooth keyboard and portfolio is the perfect accessory combo for your Nexus 7.

What Nexus 7 accessory can't you live without?

This guest post is by Edwin, a writer and technology specialist at USDish.