Rumours of a Google Nexus 8 tablet first surfaced when a mysterious image surfaced on its Android.com website back in November 2013. The device was revealed to be the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition and the rumours died down for a time. They were back in early January with a report that Google would retire its Nexus 7 line in favour of a Nexus 8 tablet possibly powered by an Intel Bay Trail-T processor. They have resurfaced once more courtesy of a Digitimes report that Google is likely to once again partner with ASUS to build the Nexus 8.
Unlike the original model, the second-generation Nexus 7 tablet found itself competing in a market crowded with cheaper 7-inch tablets. As a result, sales have apparently failed to meet Google’s expectations with less than 3 million sold by the end of 2013. With further competition coming from the growing number of phablets, Google has decided to upsize the next model to allow it to better stand out.
There is no word on what processor will make its way into the Nexus 8. While Intel appeared to have the upper hand, Qualcomm was reportedly still lobbying to have its processor power this next Nexus tablet. It’s unclear today what the final decision might have been.
The report adds that Google could launch the Nexus 8 at the end of April. Initial shipments are set at two million units.
The Google Nexus 8 could also be followed by year’s end by a high-end model manufactured by HTC.
Source : Digitimes