With Google's I/O 2014 conference kicking off on June 25, there has been much speculation about whether the tech giant will be unveiling its mobile device lineup that
Here is a roundup of the latest rumors so far:
Nexus 6
The existence of the Nexus 6 remains the subject of hot debate within the rumor mill. Google has neither confirmed nor denied that they are developing the device, which is rumored to be replacing the current-gen Nexus 5. It has been widely speculated that the Nexus 6 will be the lightweight version of the LG G3, with 64-bit power.
Last week, an Android tweet bolstered hopes that Google will still be working on the Nexus 6, despite earlier rumors suggesting that the tech giant is abandoning the project in favor of investing more development on the Android Silver line. The Twitter posting shows an advertisement photo of a hand holding a never-before-seen device. Though the tweet was promoting the ingredients feature in Google search, fans began speculating whether the mobile device shown was indeed the Nexus 6.
This show of enthusiasm was quickly greeted by voices of skepticism.
"Sorry, but I'm not so sure it's anything other than a generic mockup," CNET contributor, Scott Webster observed. "This is not the first time we've seen Google use a previously unseen device for promoting its apps or services."
Due to a limited amount of information available at this time, there is no certainty whether the Nexus 6 will be amongst devices to be unveiled at the upcoming Google I/O conference.
Nexus 8
Luckily for Nexus fans, more information is available on this rumored tablet, which is said to be manufactured under partnership by HTC. The current-gen Nexus 7, on the other hand, was made under similar agreements with LG.
Just last week, images of an allegedly authentic Nexus 8 surfaced on Chinese-language site My Drivers, which placed the label "100% true" on each of the photos. Even so, tech experts doubted the authenticity of the device shown.
Trusted Reviews said that the leaks should be "taken with a considerable pinch of salt." BGR, a site specializing in mobile device leaks, pointed out that My Drivers has made many inaccurate predictions in the past.
What is generally agreed amongst rumor circles is that the Nexus 8 will be powered by a 64-bit processor and 3GB of RAM, and will come installed with the rumored Android 4.5 software. The current Android version is the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update, which began rolling out this month.
Unlike the Nexus 6, there have not been any rumors suggesting that Google is planning to drop the Nexus 8 tablet. The Nexus 7 tablet has sold well since its release in 2012, which reduces the possibility that Google will abandon the Nexus 8 tablet.
Last month, mobile service provider HTC released a tweet showcasing a mystery device, which had Nexus fans guessing that it was the Nexus 8. Since then, HTC has not given additional information that can identify the device in question.
It has also been rumored that the Nexus 8 will make its first appearance at the upcoming Google I/O conference. If this information is correct, a release date may be announced in the coming months.
Nexus 10 (2014)
The Nexus 10 (2014) is the long-rumored successor to the Nexus 10, which started hitting the shelves back in November 2012. Dubbed the 'Nexus 10 2' by Google fans, the mobile device was expected to be unveiled last year.
When the Nexus 10 2 failed to appear as predicted, fans began worrying that the device was cancelled. Just like the Nexus 6 and Nexus 8, most of what we know about this device is based mainly on rumors.
A report by Tech Radar last month, speculated that 'Nexus 10 2' display will be at 2560x1600 resolution. The fabled device may be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip, and at least 2GB RAM. The 2014 Nexus 10 may ship out with the latest Android version, which is the Android 4.4 KitKat.
It has been widely reported that either Asus or HTC will manufacture the Nexus 10 2 -- instead of Samsung, which earlier handled Nexus 10 production.
Originally, Google was thought to be launching the Nexus 10 (2014) by mid-October this year. Since then, the rumor mill has remained quiet about the Nexus 10 (2014). Speculation may however renew depending on what Google decides to share at its upcoming I/O conference.
Google I/O 2014 is scheduled to run from June 25-26 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.
