For most of us, Google I/O was a little disappointing simply because no new hardware was announced: no new Nexus tablets and no new Nexus phones! In regards to the next Nexus phone, rumours leading up to I/O were suggesting that LG would be the manufacturer behind the next Nexus after a very successful go at the Nexus 4. However, according to the latest report, LG themselves have confirmed that they are not working on a Nexus 5 with Google.
At a recent interview with All About Phones, Vice President of LG Europe, Won Kim said “The Nexus 4 was a great success despite the production problems for us and Google. However we do not need such a marketing success again.” And when asked whether or not LG was working on any Google Edition phones (like the Google Edition S4) he stated that “We have no plans to provide our devices like Samsung has now done…This has no added value for us without our own skins.”
Those comments made it sound like LG was done with stock Android altogether but later clarification came from another LG spokesperson who said “What Mr. Won Kim said is that we are not currently working on a Nexus 5, which is true. But that doesn’t mean we would turn down the opportunity.”
So if LG isn’t working on the next Nexus device, who is? Motorola is a definite possibility as they are owned by Google and are finally being “influenced” by Google in regards to phone design and software. So it’s possible that Google just uses them going forward for Nexus branded devices. Another possibility is that the Nexus brand (at least when it comes to the phones) is now simply extinct and “Google Edition” phones will simply take over the tradition. If this were indeed the case, it would line up with earlier speculation of multiple “Nexus” devices from multiple manufacturers.
Many around the web are speculating that Google will hold another event this year focused on hardware so if that comes to pass I guess we’ll have our questions answered then. For now all we can do is speculate as to what will become of the Nexus phones. What do you guys think will happen with the Nexus phones? Who’s going to make the next one (if there is a next one).
[TNW]