Months after rumours that hinted Google would kill Nexus line of devices and replace them with new devices created as part of a different programme called Silver, a senior Google executive on Friday said the company remained committed to make Nexus phones and tablets.
Dave Burke, the head of Android engineering, has told Read Write that Google creates Nexus devices to showcase new versions of Android and this year too it will launch Nexus devices. Burke’s statement comes days after images of a HTC-made tablet, purportedly dubbed the next Nexus tablet, leaked on the web.
“People just get excited by concepts and forget why we do things,” said Burke in reference to speculation about the Silver programme. “We are still invested in Nexus,” he said.
“People have been commenting about Nexus because there is something else and they think that means the end of Nexus. That is the totally wrong conclusion to make,” he added.
His comments also possibly confirms the existence of Silver programme. Eldar Murtazin, a Russian blogger who has a history accurately leaking smartphones-related news, said in January this year that Google is killing Nexus programme and replacing it with Silver. The silver devices are supposed to run the stock version of Android and will be likely sold through Play store.
Google Nexus 5 smartphone.
However, unlike Nexus devices that sell at a lower price-points, Silver devices are likely to be sold at the high-end of the market.
Nexus 7 tablet.
If Google indeed keeps the Nexus programme, it will probably have three different programmes for devices powered by stock version of Android. The company has already announced Android One, through which it aims to bring low-cost Android phones running stock version of Android to emerging markets like India. Silver, meanwhile, could be a programme similar to Android One but for premium Android phones.
Nexus devices, meanwhile, will continue to be the show pieces for the latest version of Android and will be targeted at developers.
