It has been long rumored that ASUS (2357) was working on a new low-end Android tablet, and earlier reports were confirmed on Monday when Asus announced its new 7-inch MeMo Pad. The device looks nearly identical to the Nexus 7 Asus launched with Google (GOOG) but will likely cost 25% less than Google’s entry-level slate. The MeMo Pad is equipped with a 7-inch 1024 x 600 pixel resolution display, a 1GHz single-core VIA WM8950 processor, 8GB or 16GB of internal storage, 1GB of RAM, a 1-megapixel front-facing camera and Android 4.1. Unlike the Nexus 7, the MeMo Pad also includes a microSD slot for additional storage. ASUS did not reveal pricing or availability although it has been widely reported that the MeMo Pad will be offered for $149.

Dan joins the BGR team as the Android Editor, covering all things relating to Google’s premiere operating system. His work has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn’t testing the latest devices or apps, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.