A quick google search (http://bit.ly/RkNKpF) shows that there are plenty of tablets under $99. I think sub $100 tablet by Google will be good for the market but not any huge game changer like the article makes it out to be.
Yes, pretty much all of those are junk though. The Nexus line is very much NOT junk and coming from Google means they have to stake a bit of their reputation on it. Personally I'm excited if only because it'll be a good way to get a tablet sized device to test apps on.