By JR Raphael (@jr_raphael)
Google's annual I/O developers' conference is right around the corner -- and boy, oh boy, is it an important time for Android fans.
Last year's Google I/O gave us our first look at Ice Cream Sandwich along with the launches of Android 3.1, Google Music, Google movie rentals, and the first commercial Chromebooks.
This year's Google I/O starts in just over five weeks -- on June 27, in San Francisco -- and it promises to be every bit as eventful. Rumors are rampant that we'll see a $150 to $200 Google-branded tablet, made by Asus; some also suspect we'll get a glimpse at the next version of Android, believed to be named Jelly Bean. And hey, you never know: We might even hear something about that army of Nexus devices everyone's expecting.
One thing's for sure: Google I/O will be jam-packed with Android news, and we'll all be watching (and possibly drooling).
To help kick off the I/O celebration, Android Power is launching a huge giveaway that'll take us all the way up to the big event. You'll have a chance to score awesome Android prizes each week from now through the start of I/O -- and from high-end tablets to standout Android swag, there's plenty of cool stuff just waiting to be won.
The Google I/O Countdown Contest: This Week's Prize
We're getting started in style: Up for grabs this week is one of Toshiba's brand-spankin' new Excite 10 tablets, courtesy of the folks at Nvidia. The Excite 10 has a 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 LCD display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. It's powered by Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 processor along with 1GB of RAM.
The Toshiba Excite 10 runs a near-stock version of Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. It supports the full range of Tegra-optimized games, all accessible via Nvidia's own TegraZone application.
The Excite 10 normally costs $450. Ready to win one for free?
The Google I/O Countdown Contest: How to Enter
For this week's giveaway, you have three different ways you can enter. You're welcome to enter up to one time per method per day.
• Entry Method #1: Leave a comment on this page, below. Any ol' comment will do; just be sure to use a valid email address or social media account so we can reach you if you win.
• Entry Method #2: Follow @AndroidPower and @NVIDIATegra on Twitter and tweet the following:
The Google I/O Countdown Contest: Win a free Toshiba Excite 10 tablet! http://bit.ly/ExciteMe #AndroidPower
• Entry Method #3: Publicly share this page on Google+. (If you like chatting about all things Android, feel free to circle me while you're there, too.)
Easy enough, right? You have until 12:00 p.m. ET this Friday, May 25, to enter. Again, you can enter up to one time per method per day -- so yes, you're more than welcome to enter once in the comments, once on Twitter, and once on Google+ each day, if you're so inclined. Any entries beyond that will not be counted and will risk disqualification and/or intense tickling.
Now for the always-fun fine print: You must live within the U.S. to win (sorry, international readers -- limited shipping budget!). You must be following @AndroidPower and @NVIDIATegra in order to be included in the drawing on the Twitter side, and you must share this page publicly in order for your entry to be counted on Google+ (if it isn't shared publicly, we have no way to see it and thus include it in the drawing). Finally, if you've won any other Android Power giveaway within the past six months, sorry -- you aren't eligible.
We'll compile all the entries and then randomly pick a winner shortly after the end of the entry period. If you win, you'll be notified directly via social media or email, depending on how you entered. You'll have 24 hours to respond and claim your prize; if you don't respond within 24 hours, your win will be forfeited and we'll draw another name. The winner will be announced publicly on Twitter, via @AndroidPower, as well as on this page.
Good luck! And remember to watch Android Power next week for the next phase of our Google I/O Countdown Contest. Lots more fun stuff ahead -- we're just getting started!
UPDATE [5/25/12]: Congratulations to Jeff Badger, who won the drawing for the tablet! The next giveaway launches soon...stay tuned.
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Article copyright 2012 JR Raphael. All rights reserved.