LG may have launched a new Nexus device today, but it won’t be making the sequel. It seems that, unlike Samsung, Google won’t be using LG to make a second Nexus device, which is rumoured to be the Nexus 5.
Speaking in an interview to Dutch site All About Phones, Kim Wong, European VP for LG Mobile, said that the Korean firm had no interest in making a Nexus 5. Wong also dismissed the idea of LG making a ‘Google Edition’ of any of its flagship phones as Samsung has done with the Galaxy S4 Google Edition, which is something of a shame as a pure Android Optimus G would be excellent.
Although Android accounts for a high percentage of LG’s smartphones on the market today, Wong expressed a desire for the company to reduce its independence on Google. He noted that “the current duopoly of Google and Apple is not healthy for the market” and so LG will be focussing on bringing new phones that use other software to market. It’s not yet clear which other platforms LG is talking about here, although with it previously dabbling in Windows Phone we could see new models running Windows Phone 8 in the not too distant future.
Wong also spoke of tablets and LG’s position on the latest trend in personal computing. LG had previously made clear that tablets weren’t a focus for them, after launching the Optimus Pad in 2011 at an extortionate price and subsequently seeing displeasing sales figures. However, it looks as though LG will be releasing tablets in the future, with Wong confirming that LG is “investing in tablets” at present. He confirmed that a new Android tablet would launch soon, though no comment was made on the possibility of a Windows 8 slate.
LG has since commented on the article to confirm they won’t rule out any future partnerships with Google. Perhaps we will see another LG-made Nexus, after all!