The Nexus 8 is set to be Google's next new Android tablet and will follow on from the Nexus 7, which is still one of the best tablets around. Here's everything there is to know about the Google Nexus 8 release date, price and specs. See also: The 25 best tablets of 2014: What's the best tablet in the UK right now?
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The rumour mill is gaining speed with details about another Android tablet from Google. The Nexus 8 is thought to be the follow-up to the Nexus 7 and could be turning up within the next few months. The below photo was posted on Google's official KitKat landing site and isn't a known Nexus device. See also: Google Gem smartwatch specs leaked: Set to team up with LG.
Google Nexus 8: Release date
The Nexus 8 release date is somewhat up in the air with initial rumours saying that it would be announced in July and would not make an appearance at the Google I/O developer conference, despite an unknown device being shown on the website for the event (main image). That was according to Android Geeks, which cites an unnamed Dublin-based Google employee.
A July launch ties in fairly nicely with the launches of both previous Nexus 7 models, which took place in July 2012 and July 2013.
And, indeed, the Nexus 8 was a no-show at Google's I/O 2014 developer conference.
Most recently, GSMInsider has posted an excerpt from an import-export database showing that a Nexus 8 prototype, similar to the Nexus 7 tablet, is on its way to Banglore.
Google Nexus 8: Price
With the device being larger than the Nexus 7 - which sells for £299 - and with improved specifications, we would expect it to cost a little more. However, Google doesn't make its money from profit margins on hardware and will likely want to undercut its rivals.
The import-export database excerpt posted by GSMInsider suggests a value of INR$16,484, which is around $275 in USD or £160.
Google Nexus 8: Specs
The same source who revealed the release date said Google will no longer produce a 7in tablet, instead moving things up to 8in. This change would mean the Nexus 8 will closely rival devices such as the iPad mini, LG G Pad 8.3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. The big question is 'who will make the Nexus 8?'.
Digitimes originally reported that Google will partner with Asus for the Nexus 8 with the building both Nexus 7 versions for the online search giant. However, the site now says that Google has changed its mind and gone for HTC, which has limited experience of tablets. This is all despite Google being tipped to be partnering with LG for a Nexus 8 tablet.
That same Wall Street Journal article which we mentioned earlier states that the device, possibly the Nexus 8, will "be equipped with two back cameras, infrared depth sensors and advanced software that can capture precise three-dimensional images of objects."
One thing we do know for sure is that the Nexus 8 will arrive running a new version of Android, for now known only as Android L (aka Android Lollipop). Read: Android 4.5 release date and features: When will the next version of Android (Lollipop) come out?
Meanwhile, Android Pit reports that the Nexus 8 will feature a 64-bit processor following Apple's lead with the iPhone 5s. It's rumoured that Google will ditch Qualcomm and its reliable Snapdragon chips for Intel's Moorefield which is clocked at 2.33GHz and features a PowerVR G6430 GPU.
Read: 64-bit Android smartphones and tablets arriving this year, says ARM.
That's some juicy information about the Nexus 8 which seemed to make an appearance on Google's KitKat website back in November last year. We'll update this article as and when we hear more on the subject. Let us know what you think below.
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