As a company, Google is well beyond the point where its main objective is to deliver the best search engine. The Mountain View giant is responsible, among other things, for the launch of many smartphones through its Android operating system (OS). Additionally, during the past few years Google has also gained a quite a following thanks to the Nexus series, which features a lineup of smartphones and tablets.
We’ve become accustom to the idea that Google has something new to reveal every year, which is why every smartphone and tablet enthusiast is looking forward to the next Google I/O event – the conference where the company typically unveils its upcoming creations.
Until an official announcement, Google’s new products are usually shrouded in mystery. However, rumors and leaks always surface, giving a peek behind the curtain.
Without further ado, here’s what every tech enthusiast expects to see at this year’s Google I/O event.
Google Nexus 5
The Nexus smartphone series is one of the highest regarded lines on the mobile market. This series has not only shown gadget enthusiasts the benefits of owning a pure Android device, but last year’s Nexus 4 proved that a lower price tag doesn’t always mean poor quality.
But with the inevitable passage of time, each handset is slowly but surely heading towards the dreaded EOL (end of life) status. The Nexus 4 is a great smartphone, but the competition has evolved. High-end devices are now expected to pack 1080p displays, better cameras and much more powerful processors. In other words, Google will need to launch a Nexus 5 sooner or later in order to be able to compete.
Interestingly enough, the latest rumors indicate that the Nexus 5 might actually hit the shelves sooner than anticipated. There is a possibility that the handset could end up on stage during the Google I/O event.
This idea picked up steam after several retailers took the Nexus 4 off their shelves. When that happens, it usually means they are making room for a successor.
Evidently there’s no way to be absolutely sure whether the Nexus 5 will indeed be unveiled at this year’s Google I/O. But what if it will? What can we expect?
Well, the device in question is rumored to pack a 4.5 inch 720p display or a 5-inch 1080p panel, a Nikon 9 MP rear-facing camera, a Snapdragon 600/800 CPU, 3 GB of RAM and either a 2,800 or a 3,000 mAh battery. Android 4.3 is also expected to be on-board.
Nexus 4 LTE/White Model
There have been several so-called “leaks” on the AnTuTu benchmark website, indicating that a Google Nexus 4 with LTE capabilities may be somewhere out there in the hands of a tester. However, it’s not out of the question for AnTuTu benchmark results to be faked. That said, there’s a lot of skepticism surrounding the possibility of an LTE-enabled Nexus 4 to be making the rounds during Google’s I/O event.
In any case, rumors suggest that even if there’s no LTE model in the works, the Nexus 4 might still be one of the event’s highlights. To be more precise, a few months ago there was tremendous buzz regarding a handful of leaked pictures depicting a white Nexus 4. And when everybody seemed to have forgotten about it, the white flavor made a comeback.
With the above being said, it’s not out of the question for Google to launch a white Nexus 4 in the near future. What better place to do it other than at the I/O event?
Next Nexus 7 Tablet
The Google Nexus 7 tablet is also one of the best examples of the company’s ability to directly affect the mobile market, in a good way. Before the Nexus 7, most analysts (and Steve Jobs himself) believed that 7-inch tablets were “dead on arrival.” Needless to say, Google proved them wrong and the Nexus 7 became one of the most successful and budget-friendly tablets in the world.
With all the hype built around the 7-inch slate, there’s no wonder why many enthusiasts are waiting for a successor to be unveiled during Google I/O.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has even sent a note to his clients containing information on what they can expect from the new Nexus 7 tablet. He anticipated the device will be powered by Android 4.3, a Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, and could feature a 7 inch 1200 x 1920 display as well as a 5 MP camera on the back. The new Nexus 7 is also predicted to be powered by a 4,000 mAh battery and feature Qi standard wireless charging capabilities.
With expectations high, Google will hopefully deliver once again. But please keep in mind that the information shared above is based on rumors and leaks, and nothing is official until Google says so.
Google I/O will take place in Moscone Center, San Francisco on May 15-17. Until then, don’t hesitate to leave a comment and let us know what you would personally like to see on stage.
Vlad Andrici is editor for gforgames.com and writes about technology issues.