Google says the Nexus 7, its hotly anticipated new tablet computer, is shipping to customers who preordered it this week, amid reports of heavy demand.

In an e-mail to customers, the company said some versions of the 7-inch tablet are in the mail and others would be on the way to customers by Thursday evening.

“We’ve had incredible demand for the new tablet and are shipping them as quickly as possible,” read the message. “If you placed your order by July 11, it will ship this week, and we’ve upgraded to overnight shipping so it arrives sooner. Orders placed after July 11 will ship next week with overnight shipping.”

At its online Help Center, Google says 8 GB versions of the Nexus 7 have already been shipped in the United States. All 16 GB versions that were ordered before July 11 should be shipped by the end of the day Thursday.

Orders in the UK and Australia will be shipped later this month.

Retailers have been reporting that they’ve already sold out of all of the Nexus 7s they’ve ordered.  Read More