Google released its last tablet last summer. With a crowded 7-inch tablet market, the Google Nexus 7 (2013) has not lived up to the sales numbers delivered by its predecessor. Earlier rumours have suggested that Google would shift to a larger 8-inch tablet for its next generation model with even more recent ones suggesting that it could opt for an 8.9-inch model (the Google Nexus 9 perhaps?). Many of these rumours have come from the notoriously hit-and-miss Digitimes and today it further muddied the waters with a report that Google is now planning to launch at least two tablets this year.
One model would sport an 8.9-inch display with a display resolution of “more than 2K.” The second would be a smaller model. The size of the latter is unclear but the report adds that it is looking to skip “most of the sizes in the 8-inch range.” If so, along with the 8.9-inch model, Google may opt to offer a third-generation Google Nexus 7 tablet to stay in the space even as other manufacturers are starting to shift their attention to 8-inch and larger models.
The Google Nexus 9 tablet is reportedly already under development. It could enter mass production in July, setting the stage for a fall launch.
Digitimes believes that if Google can price the 8.9-inch Nexus tablet around US$299, it could help Android tablets establish a greater presence in the larger-size tablet market (essentially 9-inch and higher) still dominated by Apple and its iPad.
With Digitimes having such a spotty record, this report will remain well within the rumour category until further evidence surfaces to lend credence to it.
Source : Digitimes