Several reports out of Asia in recent days suggest Google is prepping an 8.9-inch Nexus tablet for launch later this year.
The claims were further backed up by a Cnet report Thursday in which IHS Technology’s Rhoda Alexander said the device – likely produced by HTC – is expected to be “high performance” with volume production to begin possibly in July or August. She added that it will be a “lower volume product, carrying a premium price tag to support the specifications,” and therefore could land with a $300+ price tag.
Earlier this week, Taipei-based DigiTimes said an all-new 8.9-inch Nexus is set to enter mass production in July and could launch with a “more than” 2K-resolution display. The tech site added that the expected introduction of the bigger form factor “shows that the Internet giant is starting to shift its focus to large-size tablet applications” as part of a new strategy to exploit that end of the market.
DigiTimes admittedly has something of a hit-and-miss record when it comes to product-related forecasts, though Cnet’s information regarding the arrival of a possible 8.9-inch Nexus tablet appears to lend credence to its report.
While it’s possible Google might drop the Nexus 7 with the introduction of a slightly larger slate, Alexander is confident the Mountain View company will instead launch a refreshed 7-inch model later this year.
The Web company is giving nothing away about its future plans for its range of tablets, which currently consists of the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, though it may well offer up some tidbits or hints – or even the actual device – at its I/O developer conference in June.
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