Google Nexus 7 tablet launches mid-July, and that means some consumers will be looking for accessories to protect and enhance the product. Some retailers are still waiting for confirmation from manufacturers, according to SBWire, but it's widely expected companies such as Otterbox will be involved.

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Products are expected from companies such as Otterbox and Rouvre. Nexus 7 covers are available, including those which bring a kickstand and a zip-up case. The advantage of a 7-inch form factor is that it's much more portable; the Case Logic hard case works perfectly, bring a small form factor and solid protection. SophistiCase has also produced a leather case in red, which includes a kickstand.

Other accessories include micro-USB cables, portable speakers - or those resembling a boom box - and an aluminum tablet stand. There's also an e-reader stand, which slightly tilts the device back and seems ideal for reading.

It'll be interesting to see whether manufacturers create the rush for accessories that's happening with the iPad. Keyboards are also incredibly popular, as there's the desire to exclusively use the iPad instead of the laptops. It's even possible to stream Windows to the iPad.

Mobile & Apps brought together a collection of the best keyboards available for the iPad across a range of price points, and also covered Apple's quietly-revealed Smart Case.

The Nexus 7 has been praised for rivalling the Kindle Fire - and offering a better experience with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean - and presenting a solid and cheaper alternative to the iPad. At $199 for the 8GB version, the device brings an arguably more active ecosystem with a consistent user experience than the Kindle Fire. The new iPad costs $499 for 16GB as a Wi-Fi-only model, which is still $250 more than the 16GB Nexus 7.

The question is whether Google can convince developers to bring unique apps to the form factor, rather than simply porting Twitter to the big screen.

The Google Nexus 7 is available for pre-order now at $199 and $249 for the 8GB and 16GB versions respectively, releasing mid-July, in the U.S.

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