Google Nexus Honeycomb Tablet On Tap from LG

Google may sell a Nexus-branded Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" tablet made by LG this year. No word on whether this is a test device or a go-to-market slate.

Google has reportedly tapped phone maker LG to build an Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" for the search engine's Nexus brand, which has been accorded to two smartphone lines to date.

Citing a report from Russian blog Mobile Review, Boy Genius Report said the Nexus tablet would be used as Google's base for development when it's launched in mid-summer or early fall.

"It is important to keep in mind that this device could be an engineering prototype used by Google internally for Android tablet development," BGR noted.

Google declined to comment to eWEEK, though most industry watchers believe a Honeycomb tablet designed by Google will hold true to the Nexus formula in including only Google-approved software. Nexus-branded smartphones such as the HTC-built Nexus One and Samsung Nexus S were co-designed sans carrier between Google and their respective makers.

Knowing that the alleged Nexus tablet would run Honeycomb explains a lot about the product since that tablet-optimized defines the entire Android slate ecosystem at this point. Honeycomb slates include Motorola Mobility's Xoom, the forthcomingSamsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 slates, and of course the LG G-Slate.

Less clear is whether the device is WiFi only or, WiFi plus 3G enabled, and if it is the latter, what carriers will sell the Honeycomb tablet. Moreover, it's unclear what the pricing will be if the machine evolves from prototype to market.

The WiFi-only Xoom costs $599, the same as the 4G version Verizon Wireless sells with a two-year data contract. The LG G-slate will cost $529 with a two-year deal from T-Mobile. Samsung will sell its tablets for less than $500 this June.

If Google's Nexus smartphone pricing scheme applies to the tablet, the company will sell it unlocked for the cost of the device, or with a reasonably priced carrier deal.

Google launched the Nexus One smartphone in January 2010, selling the Android 2.1 handset unlocked for $529 or with a two-year contract from T-Mobile for $179.

The device, sold only through a Google owned and operated Webstore, carried only software vetted by Google itself. With the Nexus One, Google had taken the carriers our of the equation so that Gmail, Google Talk, Google Maps, search and YouTube were included without the usual assortment of carrier applications, also known as bloatware.

The Nexus One didn't take off the way Google hoped, as consumers shied away from buying a phone sight unseen. Google shuttered its Webstore and began offering the Nexus One as a test unit.

Rather than punt the Nexus line, Google returned last December with the Samsung Nexus S, a smartphone based on the new Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" OS featuring native near field communications support. This device is currently offeredunlocked for $529 or for $199 with a two-year T-Mobile deal.

Sprint is launching a Samsung Nexus S 4G this spring, providing the third smartphone in the Nexus line.

Source: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/Google-Nexus-Honeycomb-Tablet-On-Tap-from-LG-752512/

LG set to manufacture Google Nexus Tablet

LG will apparently manufacture Google’s Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet

This will bring Google’s dealing to three manufacturers now. HTC built its first Nexus One handset, Samsung did the Nexus S and now LG will take on building responsibilities for the Nexus Tablet.LG has been reportedly confirmed as the company that will produce Google’s first ever tablet device – the Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet.

The news comes via Mobile Review, who claims LG has been tasked with producing Google’s first Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet.

At present, details are pretty thin on the ground, but Mobile Review claims that the device will be used as Google’s base for development, that it will run on Android 3.0 and should be ready in ‘mid-autumn.’

Having said that, the Nexus Tablet could just be a device that will be used internally at Google for developing future iterations of Android 3.0.

Nevertheless, the Nexus S has gone on to become pretty popular, so maybe a dedicated Google tablet isn’t entirely out of the question.

So what can we expect from the Nexus Tablet? At present it’s difficult to say, but if we had to hazard a guess we’d expect to see a dual core processor, NFC, HD display (probably Super AMOLED), potentially a 3D-enabled, lots of storage, dual cameras and 1GB of RAM.

This, at least, would bring the tablet in line with the competition.

We’re waiting with baited breath for more news on this one. Watch this space.

Source: http://www.knowyourmobile.com/blog/829826/lg_set_to_manufacture_google_nexus_tablet.html

Google Signs with LG

Manufacturers who want to make tablets for the Android Honeycomb are required to sign a separate license agreement with Google. Rumors have it that Google will be embracing LG, and this could lead to a Nexus S tablet.

Manufacturers of tablets running on Android 2.X can’t update the OS to Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Until now Google hasn’t released the source code of the Honeycomb even when there are already Honeycomb tablets in the market, such as the Xoom and the soon to be released HTC Flyer.

If ever LG will release a Nexus tablet in the future, it would be the basis of all other Android tablets. Manufacturers would want to copy the hardware, which was designed to optimize the Honeycomb OS. It is Google’s practice to offer software help with their partner manufacturer and the result could be a LG Nexus tablet that runs smoothly on the Honeycomb.

Google embraces manufacturers so that the final product will be polished and well-made. It would also serve as a training session for the company’s internal staff. Google could use the device to develop new or improve current features of the Android. The manufacturer in turn will gain a huge advantage over its competitors.

Link: http://www.toptechreviews.net/tech-news/google-signs-with-lg/