By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

Okay, so everybody who ordered one of those new Nexus 7 tablets from Google  and have already received shipment, raise their hand.

Yeah,  me too.

I ordered my Nexus 7 on July 6, and really thought I would have it in hand by now (it only takes one hand, unlike The Whopper or an iPad) but so far, no luck.

The Nexus 7, for the uninitiated, is the latest hot tablet on the market, not exactly an iPad killer, but for the money, it is the best thing out there, according to all the advance reviews.

Well it only works if it is in your hands (hand), and despite the good reviews Google is getting a bit of a black eye when it comes to delivery.

I have been checking all of the Android blogs and websites, and Google is getting pretty much a universal drubbing on delivery. There are some who ordered very early in the process, or ordered from Staples  or Gamestop, two of the early suppliers. But I went to the Google sales site, Google Play, and like many others, thought it was worth paying that extra handling fee to get a speedy delivery.

Well I am paying that extra $13 for delivery and still no Nexus 7.

I did contact their media department Monday (the service department does not return emails, it seems) and talked to a cheery, sympathetic media-type person. It was nice    to have someone “live” and responsive and we exchanged feedback. But I don’t think it has speeded up the process any.

It’s pretty annoying, since I am sure there are some folks around here who were able to pick up their 7-inch Nexus (hence the 7) at Staples or Sam’s. There are numerous accounts online all over the place. But there are so many of us who have been playing the waiting game for a week or two or more.

Update 1.0

I wrote the above on Tuesday of this week and was really thinking maybe by Friday, after deadline, the much-anticipated Nexus 7 would be here. After writing yet one more email to Google sales, I got a response. But I think everyone who ordered got the same mass automated response.

The good news: If you ordered a Nexus 7 online before July 11, you will get it this week and they have upgraded the shipping from two days to overnight.

The bad news: I am still awaiting confirmation on shipping.

There are lots of caveats that came with the update. It is a different schedule if you live in the United Kingdom or Canada, and for you folks in Macedonia, you have to drive to the bus station in Sofia, Bulgaria and ask for Igor.

Still untested, but judging by all the great reviews, I think I really will like my Nexus 7. But order it online through Staples or call stores such as Sam’s to see if they have it in stock. There is no reason to pay the extra shipping charge and wait..and wait..and wait.

I feel like I am stuck in Casablanca with Rick, Ilsa and Victor Lazlo.

But seriously folks

Actually this is more like  “I didn’t think you would take me that seriously folks.”

We are still without WESH as the contract war between Bright House Networks and Hearst continues, but I am not missing the local channel that much. But former Wilkes-Barre residents Joe and Tish (more specifically “Tish” emailed me and took exception to my playful jabbing of WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre).

C’mon, it was all in fun. I wish we had Rusty Trailer (he of the fabulous hairpiece) doing our traffic reports from a helicopter. How does he keep that synthetic-looking mop to stay in place flying above Wilkes-Barre anyway?  It better not fly off during duck hunting season. There will be some really disappointed duck hunters when that thing drops to the ground instead of a mallard.

Do I really have Australian hair, Tish? She said that in her email. Maybe you meant Austrian hair? I think my hair is closer to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart than Mel Gibson.

Anyway, everybody, if you need a diversion to the usual local Orlando news, check out WBRE, temporarily available via Bright House Networks.

Update 2.0

Google Play has  confirmed shipment of the elusive Nexus 7 for today (Thursday) as the final print deadline hour approaches. It will be too late to take the new gadget on a trial run for this week, but the UPS man cometh, hopefully.