Samsung and LG Electronics have joined forces with U.S. software giant Google Inc. to launch their latest smartphone and tablet PC running on the upgraded Android mobile platform.

On its official blog on Tuesday, local time, Google introduced the two new Nexus wireless gadgets, which are reference products operating on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean mobile operating system.

LG strengthened its alliance with Google by unveiling the 4.7-inch smartphone named Nexus 4, which is LG’s first reference phone released with the U.S. firm.

Samsung also reaffirmed its partnership with Google by rolling out the 10.1-inch reference tablet called the Nexus 10.

The tablet is Samsung’s third reference gadget that is operating on Google’s latest mobile platform. The Korean IT behemoth has released two smartphones ― Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S ― with Google.

Designing a reference gadget with Google means that Android partners and developers will use the products to test the latest Jelly Bean mobile platform.

“A Nexus device is much more than simply a phone or tablet,” Google officials said in the blog post. “It’s your connection to the best of Google ― all of your stuff and entertainment, everywhere you go with no hassle. Now you have three new Nexus devices, a new improved version of Jelly Bean and more entertainment than ever before.”

Google also introduced the Nexus 7, a tablet jointly launched with Asus earlier in September in Korea, making a total of three gadgets powered by the newly upgraded Android OS.

The Nexus 4, which is the only smartphone out of the group, is a handset with a quad-core processor and 2-gigabyte RAM.

With its expected market release on Nov. 13 in seven countries ― the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Spain and Australia ― it presents functions like Google Now and Photo Sphere.

Google Now is a feature that gives users “the right information at the right time” by analyzing information involving location and user patterns. Photo Sphere is another feature that enables capturing of images in every direction to create 360-degree immersive experiences.

“I’m proud that LG took part in the development of latest Nexus smartphone, which proves that it is a globally leading brand,” said Park Jong-seok, mobile chief at the firm.

The handset will also be available in countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, CIS and the Middle East by the end of November, LG officials said. The 8-gigabyte model is priced at $299 and 16 gigabyte for $349 without a contract.

For the Nexus 10, Samsung, a firm which already has a popular 10-inch tablet dubbed the Galaxy Tab 10.1, has rolled out the “premium entertainment device” in the U.S. market as soon as Google made its announcement.

Equipped with a 1.7-gigahertz dual-core processor and a 9,000 mAh battery, the gadget is 8.9 millimeters in thickness and weighs 603 grams.

It is designed to run only on wireless Internet networks and has 2 gigabytes of RAM.

“We’re in high hopes that the Nexus 10 will get favorable response from global consumers with its clear display, four times faster Wi-Fi and differentiated user experience,” said a Samsung official.

A 16-gigabyte model will cost $399 and 32 gigabyte for $499.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)