NEW DELHI: Google and HTC are set for a reunion. The two companies first came together to bring the world's first Android phone to the market, named HTC Dream. HTC also made the first Nexus smartphone for Google, named Nexus One, before other companies like Samsung, LG and Asus were contracted to make Nexus devices.However, HTC and Google may be coming together once again, this time to make the first Nexus 8 tablet. According to a report by Digitimes, Google has partnered with HTC to manufacture the upcoming Nexus 8 tablet. The device is set to be launched in the third quarter of 2014, the report added citing "sources from the upstream supply chain."
Google plans to adopt a new design in the next-generation tablet and has thus decided to switch to a new manufacturer.
The report also says that Google tried to contract HTC to make the first-generation Nexus 7 tablet, but was turned down by the Taiwanese manufacturer as it was trying to streamline its own phone business at the time.
Sources also say that the Google does not plan to be as aggressive about Nexus 8 as it was with the first-generation Nexus 7 tablet. As Nexus tablets were introduced to push Android's penetration in the tablet market, a task which now seems to have been accomplished with declining marketshare of Apple's iPad.
The report also adds, "With Nexus tablets no longer having a significant influence in the tablet market, some market watchers believe the new device could be the last tablet Google releases."
According to earlier reports, Google will unveil the Nexus 8 tablet at the I/O developer conference in June this year. The device will run on the upcoming Android 4.5 operating system and will be powered by Intel BayTrail processor, even though Qualcomm is said to be "striving hard for orders."
Post a Comment