It must be news to everyone, but Google(NASDAQ:GOOG), as stated by a new report, is planning to discontinue its highly popular Nexus smartphones and tablets as early as next year. However, speculations are rife about an upcoming 8-inch Nexus tablet hitting the market soon.
This information comes courtesy Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin, who has tweeted: "Nexus line by Google is over in 2015. Yes – this line will be replaced by Play Edition (current name, it will be rebranded)."Nexus brand has endeared itself for offering quality hardware and stock Android software at affordable prices.
As regards the new Play Edition devices, Google is already selling them in the US, offered with stock Android software without any added applications or software features. At present, the Google Experience range of devices includes Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z Ultra and Moto G smartphones, along with LG G Pad 8.3 tablet.
Since Google is not involved in the hardware manufacturing process of its Play Edition devices, they are manufactured by the companies that make the original versions of the products, namely Samsung, HTC, Sony Motorola and LG. For manufacturing its Nexus devices, the internet search giant is partnered with OEMs like LG and Asus.
While the Nexus range of devices is sold by Google as well as e-commerce sites and brick-and-mortar retailers, the Play Edition of products is available only via Google currently.The decision to discontinue the Nexus line and replace it with a Play Edition range will provide users with a bigger portfolio of devices to users, analysts suggest.
However, pricing needs to be handled, as the Nexus range is priced quite low compared to devices with similar specifications. On the other hand, the Google Play Edition smartphones and tablets do not differ much from their original counterparts in terms of pricing.
