Last year, NVIDIA announced a then-groundbreaking tablet design called Kai. It was essentially a reference – a blueprint, if you will – for manufacturers to design and build extremely affordable tablets. The plan was clearly laid out, but the platform itself was incredibly flexible so the manufacturing costs and retail pricing could fluctuate as much as the design of the tablets themselves. Google's 2012 Nexus 7 was just one of the tablets that took advantage of Kai.

Now, NVIDIA is taking Kai a step further. The new project is even more encompassing that before. It's called Tegra Note, and it could change the game. Again.

Tegra Note is more than just a blueprint for an affordable tablet. It is the groundwork – both in hardware and software – for powerful and versatile devices that won't break the bank. Naturally, it uses NVIDIA's Tegra 4 processor as its workhorse; pair that with DirectStylus support, PureAudio sound, an excellent camera (based on NVIDIA's computational photography engine, no doubt), and more game support than you can shake a stick at, and you have the beginning of what Tegra Note is all about.

But it's still more – NVIDIA will also be controlling the OTA updates. Tegra Note is the full package: a hardware layout planned by NVIDIA, alongside OTA updates directly from the company that designed the entire thing. The only thing left for manufacturers to do is put it all together and release it however they see fit.

Like Kai, Note is all about affordability. The suggested MSRP for baseline Note devices is set a $199, which could put a lot of tablets in a lot of hands. There's a good chance we've already seen the first Tegra Note-based device floating around here and there, but it's unclear who the manufacturer is at this time. We now know it likely won't be NVIDIA, as Tegra Note is a platform, not an actual device.

In NVIDIA's blog post about Tegra Note, the company outlines what we can expect from Note-based devices once they're available, and it sounds very promising:

Blazing performance from Tegra 4.

Excellent stylus support thanks to DirectStylus.

An enhanced audio experience thanks to NVIDIA's PureAudio technology.

A "groundbreaking" camera that utilizes the Tegra 4's power and the computational photography engine.

TegraZone games, because it wouldn't be NVIDIA without fun.

10+ hours of HD video playback.

A slew of accessories, including a smart cover, a DirectStylus Pro Pack with interchangeable tips, and the ability to transform the tablet into a game controller.

Full specs:

Processor - Tegra 4 mobile processor with quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU and 72-core GeForce GPU

Tegra 4 mobile processor with quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU and 72-core GeForce GPU Display - 7-inch HD IPS LCD display (1280 x 800)

7-inch HD IPS LCD display (1280 x 800) Camera - Rear 5MP and front VGA webcam

Rear 5MP and front VGA webcam Storage - 16GB storage with microSD expandable up to an additional 32GB

16GB storage with microSD expandable up to an additional 32GB Audio - Front-facing “HD Audio” stereo speakers with a unique bass-reflex port

Front-facing “HD Audio” stereo speakers with a unique bass-reflex port Stylus - Chisel and Brush tips for natural writing and broad strokes

Chisel and Brush tips for natural writing and broad strokes Peripherals - Micro HDMI connector to drive big screen TV videos and gaming

Micro HDMI connector to drive big screen TV videos and gaming OS - 100% Android with latest version of the OS

100% Android with latest version of the OS Software Updates - Over-the-air software updates directly from NVIDIA

Over-the-air software updates directly from NVIDIA Battery Life - 10 hours HD video playback

NVIDIA is expecting Tegra Note devices to show up from a variety of manufacturers in the coming months, including "EVGA and PNY Technologies in North America; EVGA, Oysters, and ZOTAC in Europe; Colorful, Shenzhen Homecare Technology and ZOTAC in Asia-Pacific; and XOLO in India." As you can see, Note is already bringing some new names to the game.

Expect more information on Tegra Note, as well as upcoming Tegra Note devices, to surface in the coming weeks (perhaps even sooner). As always, keep it locked on AP for all the details.