Google To Stop Selling Nexus Devices By 2015 [REPORT]

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Google’s Nexus lineup of devices have come a long way after their introduction way back in January 2010. Nexus smartphones and tablets have their own fair share of popularity, mostly because of their high-end specs and an affordable price tag. However, according to the latest rumor, Nexus 5 could be one of the last Nexus devices that we’ll ever see from Google.

The rumor comes from Eldar Murtazin, who tweeted that the “Nexus line by Google is over in 2015.” Nexus devices will be replaced by Play Edition devices that several different manufacturers have launched.

Google launches a new Nexus phone every year, replacing the old one with a more powerful one, and running on the latest version of Android. In 2013, the Mountain View company launched Nexus 5 running on Android KitKat 4.4, which was the first phone to launch with Android KitKat.

The company also launched other popular smartphones running on stock Android. Each of these devices carried ‘Google Play Edition’ branding, so that users would know that they come with the latest version of vanilla Android, with no skins or fancy UI that other manufacturers usually ship the phone with. These devices will receive Android updates directly from Google, and not from their manufacturers. HTC One Google Play Edition, the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, the Moto G Google Play Edition, and the Xperia Z Ultra Google Play Edition are such devices that can be ordered from the Play Store.

Nexus not a moneymaker for Google

It has been reported that since the Nexus range is very affordable, and doesn’t costs a lot like other phones and tablets, Google’s profit on Nexus devices is almost non-existent. Google takes a hit on hardware because the company wants to penetrate deep in the market, and want consumers to use its ecosystem.

Now that the Play Store has been very well established for all kinds of digital content, many users have heavily invested in the ecosystem and wouldn’t want to try out any new ecosystem. In such a case, the company, instead of losing money on the Nexus lineup of devices, could be looking to make money from the software side of things. Plus, the company doesn’t lose anything as there will still be Play Edition devices from other manufacturers.

Not good news for Android fans

However, ending the Nexus lineup move isn’t a great news for Android fans all over the world. The reason behind this is that Nexus devices always come with the latest and greatest hardware, coupled with the latest version of Android, and that too, in a pocket-friendly way. Consumers will then need to shell out more money to buy Google Play Edition devices, like Galaxy S4 and others.

So what do you think about this rumor? Is it really the end of Nexus smartphones and tablets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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