Rumors concerning Google's Nexus 8 refuse to die, and the latest leak suggests the fabled device is currently undergoing trials in India.
Last week, a shipping manifest posted on Zauba showed that Bangalore Air Cargo had shipped out two 'Nexus 8 prototypes' on two separate dates. The first device that was shipped on June 30 came with the description "similar to Nexus (7)". It is not clear what this information means. Curiously, the second device was simply listed as "Nexus 8 Prototype" with no further information.
As of now, Google has yet to announce the Nexus 8 tablet by name. In fact, it was the rumor mill that first coined the term 'Nexus 8' to describe the rumored follow-up to the successful Nexus 7 tablet. The recent cargo manifest, if accurate, suggests that Google is indeed preparing to release the Nexus 8.
Earlier, it was rumored that Google had cancelled the entire Nexus series that included devices such as the Nexus 6 and Nexus 10 (2014). Even so, the tech giant may continue the Nexus name with tablets -- if recent gossip is to be believed.
Last month, Android Police reported that Google was working on a mystery 8.9-inch Nexus tablet codenamed Volantis. This revelation led to speculation that Volantis was perhaps the Nexus 8, even though the validity of this information remains to be seen.
Back in February, Focus Taiwan reported that HTC had been chosen by Google to be manufacturing the Nexus 8. Since then, no information has surfaced to either debunk or confirm this report.
It was originally predicted within the tech gossip cliques that the Nexus 8 will be featured at this year's Google I/O developers' conference. The rumors sparked hopes that the latest Nexus tablet would be ready by July this year. Based on precedent, both the 2012 and 2013 versions of the Nexus 7 were released in July as well.
This rumor panned out when the Nexus 8 failed to show at Google I/O. Since that time, rumors are favoring a release date set for the last quarter of 2014. For now, Nexus fans will have to wait for more word from Google itself.
