Nexus 8 Release Rumors: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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The Nexus 7, pictured above, might become obsolete soon. Rumors have been swirling about the Nexus 8 for months, but the long-awaited tablet may actually be hitting shelves soon. Here’s what you need to know about this upcoming addition to the Google family.


1. Nexus 8 Didn’t Show at Google I/O, But Is Still Coming Soon

While there was no announcement about the Nexus 8 at this year’s Google I/O, CNET reports the Nexus 8 is still in the works and has not been abandoned. The HTC “Volantis” tablet may be released to the public as the Nexus 8, at least according to some reports. Google and rumored Nexus 8 partner HTC are both keeping mum, for now.


2. Nexus 8 May Drop in July

The video above does a great job running down the most interesting Nexus 8 rumors.

Gotta Be Mobile writes that the Nexus 8 could debut as early as July:

“Nexus 8 rumors suggest that the device will either be out in Q3 (July-September) or Q4 (October-December). This falls in line with Google’s usual Nexus launch windows as the company typically launches a new Nexus tablet in the summer followed by a new Nexus smartphone ahead of the holidays. We’ve seen rumors point to both windows so at this point, it’s a difficult date to predict.”

Gotta Be Mobile adds that if Google goes with a Q4 launch window, the Nexus 8 will go head-to-head with the third-gen iPad mini that’s expected to debut this fall.


3. HTC-Made Nexus 8 Will Have Improved Specs

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TechRadar writes that the Nexus 8 would be a big step up from the Nexus 7:

“By now the two-year old Nexus 7 looks like a relative fossil with its 1920 x 1200 screen resolution…

From what we’ve gathered, the Google/HTC joint will use an 8.9-inch tablet with a 2048 x 1440 display. A leaked spec sheet revealed the device would come with a desktop class Nvidia Tegra K1 64-bit processor and 2GB of RAM.

The device could also come with a thin body measuring 0.31-inches thick and weigh 418 grams. All together the device would still be chunkier and heavier than the iPad mini 2 with Retina, but the rumored Nexus 8 could still be a light device.”


4. Nexus 8 Could Be Last of Its Line Before Android Silver Launch

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The first Android Silver devices are due to drop in February 2015, and some tech insiders think that the Nexus 8 will be the last item in the Nexus line before Google switches focus to Android Silver.

That being said, a recent report from CNET suggests that Google is trying to quash rumors about the future of the Nexus line.


5. Android 4.5 a Likely OS for Nexus 8

We haven’t forgot about the Nexus 6. Check out the video above for an update about the Nexus 6 and other upcoming smartphones.

In their Nexus 8 rumor roundup, CNET writes that the Nexus 8 is likely to run Android 4.5.