Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is apparently making Nexus 8 or Nexus 9 tablets to launch this summer, according to a report Myce. The report suggests that the new tablet has been spotted online already in a Chromium issue tracker report. The upcoming device is dubbed Flounder, which is the name of an oceanic fish, which indicates that it might be a Nexus tablet because previous versions were also codenamed using fish names.
Google follows a naming convention
The Chromium issue tracker suggested that Flounder is powered by AA branch build, which is development build for Android SDK tools. Going by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s naming convention, Flounder is expected to have an OS version made on May 6, 2014. It is not yet confirmed if the company has already started manufacturing the tablet.
Myce also reported that the build fingerprint includes a “mysterious” google/volantis mention, however, as of now it is not clear what this indicates.
Volantis is not a fish name, but it could be a product or software codename for the device. Generally, two names are given to all Nexus products — one for device and the other for its software name. Nexus 4 had a device name of Mako and software name of Occam. Likewise in 2013, Nexus 7 had a device name of flo and software name was Razor. So it makes sense to think that Flounder might have a software name of Volantis.
HTC may manufacture the device
Earlie reports surfaced suggesting that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) would launch a high-end tablet this year to be manufactured by HTC. Google might also come up with an Android 4.5 update this summer along with its Nexus hardware.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s Nexus 8 is expected to offer an 8 or 9 inch display size, which would be similar to the iPad mini and LG G Pad. Earlier, it was reported that Google’s next tablet will be made by Asus, LG and HTC. All three have previously built Google Devices. However, recent reports suggest that HTC could be the OEM to manufacture the Nexus 8.
The price of the new Nexus tablet is likely to be somewhere around $300 and the device will be powered by Android 5.0. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) generally announces new versions and updates in its I/O event, which will be held on June 25 and June 26 in San Francisco.
