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Google is rumored to be launching two big things in July: Android 4.5 and the Google Nexus 8 tablet. Here’s what we know so far.
1. New Nexus Tablet Will Be Between 7 & 10 Inches
The Nexus 8 will likely be one of the first tablets to feature Intel’s 64-bit Moorefield SoC … pic.twitter.com/bcJSEqriSW
— VR-Zone (@vrzone) March 12, 2014
It is rumored that the new Nexus tablet will fill a niche in between the existing Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets. The rumored device is being called the Nexus 8 in the press, but the device itself may be slightly larger than eight inches.
2. ASUS, Samsung, or LG Likely Nexus 8 Manufacturers
Rumor: Android 4.5 Launching on Nexus 8 in July http://t.co/5MWwIIzBej pic.twitter.com/mZb97PCdUz
— Android Headlines (@Androidheadline) February 21, 2014
Tom’s Hardware notes that there are several companies who might manufacture the rumored Nexus 8 device:
“Given LG is the manufacturer behind the Nexus 5 (and the Nexus 4), it stands to reason that Google has a pretty good working relationship with the company. The Nexus 7 was manufactured by Asus (both models), while the Nexus 10 was a Samsung-made product. While it’s possible that either of these could also manufacture the Nexus 8, Samsung doesn’t seem too likely (since the development of the Nexus 10 was two years ago at this point, and it hasn’t made another), but Google could easily offer Asus the gig, too.”
3. Nexus 8 Likely to Come with Android 4.5
Is Volantis (also called Flounder), HTC’s new 8.9-inch Nexus Tablet? http://t.co/N4DY8wVphi
— AndroidSPIN (@AndroidSPIN) June 21, 2014
When the Nexus 8 ships, it is likely to come bundled with Android 4.5 already installed. TechnoBuffalo reports that while the Nexus 8 was originally rumored to drop next month, new info says that July is more likely.
Not much is known about Android 4.5 yet, though it is safe to assume that the OS will continue the tradition of naming each new version of Android after a dessert item.
4. Android 4.5 May Be Android 5.0 Instead
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It is not yet certain whether the next version of Android will continue with the 4.x iteration, or start off the Android 5.0 generation.
Gizbot has cited Lollipop as an option for the name of the next Android OS, while Android Pit adds that other candy-inspired names might be Laffy Taffy, Lion (named after a British candy bar), Licorice, or Lime Pie.
5. Nexus 8 Will Take On Samsung & LG, Cost $300
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According to Android Geeks, the Android-powered Nexus 8 will compete with other similarly-sized tablets like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and LG’s G Pad 8.3.
According to a report on Digitimes, the Nexus 8 could do quite well if it was priced around $299. However, the Nexus 8 will need to feature some Android-only killer apps in order to secure a larger share of the market.
