It was widely expected that Google will unveil Nexus 6 in October or November, the same time that Nexus 4 and 5 were announced in the last two years. Google’s head for Android, Sundar Pichai, earlier this year said that Nexus 6 will not be launched till July but he did not hint that the smartphone will not be launched at all. However, it now seems that users will now have to wait another three months to get their hands on the official Google phone.
In a series of tweets, EVLeaks talked about the death of Nexus 6 and arrival of Google’s new product line, Android Silver.
There is no Nexus 6. Farewell, Nexus.
— @evleaks (@evleaks) May 16, 2014
Android Silver is a rumoured product line that is said to replace Nexus range in Google’s gadget portfolio. According to an earlier report by TheInformation.com, Google is making an “expensive effort (that) involves dumping the Nexus phone brand in favour of a new programme called Silver, under which manufacturers and wireless carriers will be paid to produce and sell high-end devices that closely adhere to Google specifications.”
The internet titan will severely restrict the number of non-Google apps pre-installed on Android Silver products, in a bid to crack down on bloatware. As per Google’s mandate, if carriers and manufacturers choose to put their apps on these handsets, users must be able to uninstall them. At present, apps preloaded by manufacturers and carriers cannot be uninstalled unless the device is rooted.
Android Silver products will also get prompt software updates and will have top-end features like advanced voice recognition and water resistance. These features will help position it better against other top-end devices like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy smartphones, which dominate the US market.
Thus, in many ways, Android Silver devices are quite similar to Google Play Edition products, which are available in the US only. However, there will be a major difference. Google Play Edition devices feature stock Android software, but are still sold with the branding of the manufacturer — like Samsung, HTC and Sony — not Google. Instead, Android Silver devices are expected to carry Google’s branding, not the manufacturer’s.
Unlike Google Play Edition and Nexus products, Android Silver devices will be heavily promoted by the internet search giant. The report, citing four sources at the company, says that Google will spend up to $1 billion on marketing this upcoming range. Google will reportedly set up kiosks at US telecom carriers’ stores to market Android Silver devices, with especially trained employees showing top features to prospective buyers.
The report said that Google has already roped in LG and Motorola to produce the first Android Silver devices. Other potential partners in this programme are said to be Chinese companies looking to penetrate the high-end smartphone market of the US. Samsung, HTC and Sony are, however, still not convinced to join the programme.
At present, Android Silver is expected to be restricted to the US market, at least initially. Therefore, Android fans in countries like India may have to wait a little longer to get their hands on Silver products.
