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With time pressing on, the tech world is slowly starting to speculate and learn about Google’s next major update to the Android platform.
Currently known as version 5.0 and codenamed as ‘Jelly Bean’ – which seems a given, following Google’s alphabetical and sweet-themed naming process – the software will no doubt launch on another of Google’s ‘Nexus’ flagship devices.
In the past Google has used HTC and Samsung to create Nexus smartphones that were released alongside a major Android update. These offer the plainest Android experience, minus any skins, widgets and apps that manufacturers usually add on top. HTC built the first one with the Nexus One, but Google has stuck with Samsung for the last two – the Nexus S for 2.3 and the Galaxy Nexus for 4.0.
The Wall Street Journal has recently reported that Google is looking into opening the Nexus program for all manufacturers, offering the chance to build a Nexus smartphone and/or tablet to 5 different companies. These devices will also be sold SIM-Free through Google’s Play Store, which also hosts apps, books and movies for Android devices.
Google recently began selling the SIM-Free version of the current Galaxy Nexus smartphone through the Play Store in the US, so it already looks to be the direction in which it is heading.
The report written by the WSJ says that the 5 different manufacturers will make 5 different Nexus devices. We have already heard rumours of a Nexus tablet that will be made by ASUS, whose success with the Eee Pad Transformer tablets seems to have done them well in the Android market.
With the recent update to Android 4.0 – aka Ice Cream Sandwich – taking a considerable time to land on many devices due to testing procedures with different mobile networks, Google is looking to provide 5 top-end Android devices which will carry the latest OS and always update first to any new software.
Samsung and HTC already have a history with Google and Nexus devices, ASUS is rumoured to be taking care of the tablet products, which leaves two spaces in the rumoured 5-brand bill. Motorola is a strong possibility due to Google owning it now, but the 5th we’re unsure of – perhaps a budget manufacturer such as Huawei or ZTE.
A range of flagship Android devices available contract-free from Google, along with access to the latest updates first, sounds brilliant to us. What do you think?
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: Droid Life
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