Google IO: New Nexus Device on the Way!

In the Q&A Session of Google IO, Andy Rubin has confirmed the release of another addition to the Nexus line of devices. No specifics have been given as yet, but there was somespeculation a few weeks ago that a Nexus tablet could be in the works. The anticipated launch, it’s said, is likely to be Q4 of this year, which is also the expected release for Ice Cream Sandwich, the newest version of Android. Ice Cream Sandwich will combine elements of Honeycomb and Gingerbread to create a singular OS for all future Androiddevices.

Rubin did not say whether the device would be a phone or tablet, but it’s good to know the line isn’t dead. Given information that quad core NVIDIA chips are supposed to find their way into devices before the end of the year, though, speculation has arisen that this device could be of that ilk. As Google does like to lead the way on these things, it would not at all be surprising to see a Nexus device being the first to run the Kal-el chip we saw back at MWC. Of course, this could just be another dual core phone, which would not make us unhappy either. And a new dual core phone running Ice Cream Sandwich? That sounds like a bowl full of yummy to me!

Source: James Cushing - www.thegadgets.net

Link: http://thegadgets.net/2011/05/11/google-io-new-nexus-device-on-the-way/

Google Confirms New Nexus Device Is Coming

Google’s Andy Rubin has confirmed that a new Nexus device will be announced at some point in the future with speculation pointing toward a launch alongside the freshly announced Android 3.4 Ice Cream Sandwich which will be the first version of Android that combines elements of the smartphone OS with Google’s tablet OS.

Rubin didn’t explicitly say whether or not the device would be a phone or a tablet (remember, we heard about an LG branded Nexus tablet a little awhile back) but it’s reassuring to know that Google is planning yet another device with the Nexus branding.

While he didn’t offer any specifics, Android and Me is speculating that it could be a LG-made phone that will be powered by a Tegra 3 Kal-El processor. We know that Tegra 3 powered phones are on the way, possibly as soon as this year, so there is a distinct possibility that a Nexus 3 could be one of the first phones with NVIDIA’s new processor.

Of course, there’s also a possibility that it could be a dual-core Nexus handset which would also be a very attractive option for those that love Android.

So, a new, powerful Nexus device that will likely debut in Q4 with Android 3.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and a powerful processor. Who’s holding out for it?

Source: Adam Mills - www.gottabemobile.com

Link: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/05/10/google-confirms-new-nexus-device-is-coming/

Nexus T Toshiba Tablet Next Official Google Release?

Let’s talk about this situation and see if we can’t piece together a few factoids. First, waaay back at the beginning of this year, a mystery tablet started showing up – one made by Toshiba, having a 10.1-inch screen, and sporting what would become Android 3.0 Honeycomb (testers floating around had Froyo, of course.) Have a look at our big reveal post and continue on – does that look like a tablet that Google would officially endorse as the next step in their flagship series? That very much appears to be what may be happening now!

Our good pals at Metalev have a few clues gathered up that point directly at this device being the next in the Nexus series – Nexus T they’re calling it, and with its NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, prismatic lithium-ion battery, and 1280 x 800 resolution 16:10 aspect ratio adaptive display, its definitely not out of the question.

What’s a prismatic battery? It’s a big fat battery that has 3 times the life of a standard lithium ion batter in essentially the same package. Besides sounding fantastic, why is this relevant now? Because @googlenexus has a challenge going on with their Twitter followers and the answer to the puzzle on the 2nd of May was PRISMATIC. – this puzzle put together by metalev’s Luke Hutchinson

@googlenexus’ challenge ends right before Google I/O – perhaps some free tablets are in the works for the masses of developers attending?

This tablet has been up for preview at Best Buy for some time now, but without a name and without much branding to go with it. Have a look at the video here and see if you think it’s possible that this is the next in line for Google’s infamous pack of powerful bigtime blasters:

Source: CHRIS BURNS - ANDROIDCOMMUNITY.COM

Link: http://androidcommunity.com/nexus-t-toshiba-tablet-next-official-google-release-20110504/

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/

Motorola tablet spotted again

By Sovy

Google’s Andy Rubin had first offered us a glimpse of what the upcoming tablet device from Motorola running the Android 3.0 Honeycomb would be like though he had no other details of the tablet to share then. But that seems to have changed now as the Motorola tablet has popped up again from somewhere in Taiwan and fortunately, this time, we have quite a few details of the tablet of which we knew almost next to nothing.

So from the information that has now become available, we do know there is going to be two different size options with the tablet that will cater to the two most popular tablet segments right now – a 7 incher and a 10 incher with a display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.

The rest of the specifications of the tablet spell out a NVIDIA Tegra 2 T20 dual core processor, internal storage of 32GB which can worked up further by way of micoSD cards, integrated camera at the rear and front having resolutions of 5MP and 2MP respectively and a HDMI out port. The upcoming tablets will also feature a built-in gyroscope and will include the UMTS, CDMA, and LTE connectivity options.

However, while more on the tablet is awaited but what is needed even more is official confirmation that will lend some much needed credibility of the information in the first place. What has to be mentioned though is that the picture looks a lot similar to the Android 3.0 Honeycomb that Andy Ruin has shown off sometime ago. The UI too with its icons and widgets on display look to have been optimized to support tablet operation and is devoid of any buttons on the tablet’s bezel.

via engadget

Link: http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-slates/motorola-tablet-spotted-again/

Source: Sovy via engadget...