14 DAY TRIAL // A few months ago rumors of an upcoming Nexus 8 tablet were pretty main-stream, but voices prophesying the advent of the 8-inch device eventually died down. But this week they have reactivated, with a new report seemingly indicating Google is ready to shift its attention on 8-inch tablets.
Back in November Google posted an ad for its latest Android 4.4 KitKat showcasing a woman sitting in a coffeehouse browsing the Play store on a mysterious device.
The slate in the image features a slim bezel, visibly thinner than the current Nexus 7 (2013) so it was assumed the device must be the Nexus 8, instead.
A possible Nexus 8 tablet bearing the number LG-V500 (also speculated to be next-gen Nexus 10 or an LTE variant of LG G Pad 8.3) was spotted in a bunch of leaked photos and getting its Bluetooth certification. But nothing conclusive about the device has been unveiled.
Now a report coming from sources located in the upstream supply chain (via DigiTimes) indicates that due to failing demand for the current-gen Nexus 7, Google is likely to shift its attention towards the 8-inch market this year.
Sales for the Nexus 7 have been apparently impacted by the increasingly lower prices (under $166 / €123) applied to competitors to their own 7-inch offerings.
Priced at $229 / €169, the Nexus 7 2013 hasn't managed to rise up to expectations, especially when compared to the first model which sold six million units.
Interestingly enough, the sources point out that Google is most likely to adopt Intel’s Bay Trail-T platform (like so many other manufacturers). The report goes on to speculate about the possible manufacturing partner Google will choose to help it build the Nexus 8.
It appears ASUS has the best chances so far, but Samsung, LG or Lenovo might be able take up orders more easily. More information about the Nexus 8 are expected to arrive in February.