Google I/O 2013 may have been devoid of any real new device announcements but it did see the unveiling of a Samsung Galaxy S running a stock version of Android to be offered through Google Play. Two weeks later, HTC and Google announced the HTC One with Nexus User Experience, also with a stock Android version. Rumours now suggest that another manufacturer could soon join Google’s new initiative.
An unnamed Sony insider has told Android Geeks that Sony will soon launch an Xperia Z Google Edition. Like the other devices, this variant will be identical to the currently available model except for the fact that it will come with a stock version of Android, likely version 4.2.2 although it could also be 4.3 if Google ever gets around to announcing this latest version of Jelly Bean.
An Android Open Source Project already exists for the Sony Xperia Z. As a result, the effort to get such a device ready for production should presumably be minimal.
While it is not clear when the Sony Xperia Z Google Edition will launch, it will reportedly be announced in July. Let’s hope that it will be available in more countries than just the U.S.
No pricing details were provided but expect the Sony Xperia Z Google Edition to sell for the same as an unlocked version of the current model (around the $600 mark).
Source : Android Geeks