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The big bombshell that most of you cared about was already dropped in Walt Mossberg’s onstage interview of Android chief Sundar Pichai at D: All Things Digital. There was a lot more talking to be done, though, and some interesting tidbits have come from the interview since then. Speaking on the Nexus program, Pichai assured us that we wouldn’t have to worry about that ending anytime soon.
He says the Nexus program has always been about wanting to shape the ecosystem. To Google’s credit, that was the line from day one and that will continue to be the focus throughout this endeavor (however long it may last).
Indeed, Nexus devices have historically done their part in paving the way for bigger and better devices. Sales of Nexus handsets and tablets might not always be the greatest and the phones might not always be advertised like a high profile launch from Samsung or Apple, but they’re quite important to the Android world and Google realizes that.
We’re not sure what to expect from here on out aside from the obvious assumption that the Moto X will be billed as a Nexus Experience device, but we remain excited for the future of the Nexus program and can’t wait to see what else Google and friends have up their sleeves.
On a semi-related note, Pichai was asked about Samsung’s dominance in the world of Android. It’s true — Sammy has a very mean death grip on the market and it’s not willing to let go very easily. And it’s not just Android Samsung is dominating: the company is beginning to outrun even Apple, and they continue to be monumental in all facets of mobile. So is this an undesirable situation for Google?
According to Pichai, it isn’t. He was willing to pass a lot of credit for Android’s success over to Samsung despite Google-owned Motorola’s own important efforts in helping the platform skyrocket starting with the original DROID. Such credit is definitely warranted — Android grew very fast before Samsung, but many would argue that it was Samsung who made the OS mainstream and the reason why it’s kicking everyone in the teeth as hard as it is today.
We’re sure Google doesn’t want Samsung to run everyone else out of business, but the company wasn’t shy about letting folks know that they were excited for the South Korean company’s success with Android. Of course, the company they own haven’t been doing too well in this space as of late, but Google believes Motorola is making some fantastic products (Moto X) and putting key emphasis on long-term goals (shifting manufacturing back to the United States).
They feel all those things will help Motorola pull through in the long run. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you’re backed by the biggest technology company there is. Having that sort of safety net will allow Motorola to take a lot of much-needed risks to get back into the ring and go toe-to-toe with the likes of Samsung. Full video interview below.
How about this……….the OEMs and Google get to together and you pick the OEM and hardware you want for your phone. Based off of that, you get a guarantee from Google for the number of updates that phone will receive. Instead of relying on the carriers for tech support, you deal with the OEM for hardware and Google for software.
They do that as long as it isn’t Verizon/Sprint.
I’m definitely excited to see the Moto X and the next Nexus (5″+?) … I’ll never purchase another Samsung again. They owe their success to Android far more than Google owes its success to them. And their anti-competitive practices against HTC leaves a very bad taste.
They didn’t want to sell their biggest asset to their closest competitor when they in fact had trouble supplying themselves with enough AMOLED screens. Seriously? They should sell to the competition instead of using the screens themselves? If not you will start to cry a river? In Jobs name, can it get any more ridiculous?
I didn’t realise Samsung only made phones. They are a huge electronics manufacturer in lots of fields but they owe their success to Google and an OS for mobile phones, mmkay.
i am also going the Nexus way. i had money saved up for Nexus 4, but due to the supply issues, and my contract expiring a month before release, i had not much choice but to get the Galaxy s3 at the time. i love the GS3, but alot of the features, i do not use. i also want the best bang for my buck. i know GalNex users who started with ICS and now have 4.2.2. i want to know my phone is future proof for at least the next two years. and @$350…C’mon nuff said. Moto X soundz nice right now…
Duh! I think everyone knew the Nexus program wasn’t ending, just because a stock build of the S4 and HTC One becoming available did people actually believe the Nexus program was going anywhere?!
You know… I’m wondering if you all remember the rumors about there being multiple nexi, if we’re seeing it happening now. Maybe what the rumors were about wasn’t there actually being multiple nexus phones, but instead, Google releasing stock versions of the S4 and HTC One, in addition to the normal Nexus line we all know and love. What do y’all think?
Last year they did have multiple Nexus devices, 4 actually. The Nexus 4, 7, 10, and Q(even though it was never really released)
I’ll be waiting on the nexus. What really makes you guys think the specs of the new nexus won’t rival the gs4 or htc one?
I’m holding out for a Nexus flip phone
I hope you lift a lot because you’ll be holding on for forever.
Awesome!!! I hope the next Nexus is a phablet and drops within the next six months!!!
I’m relieved to hear the Nexus program will still be cooking. The $600+ phones they’ve been putting out are just not in a price range I would buy from unless it was uber extraordinary.
Is there a video to this interview?
Haven’t seen one, but here’s the live blog – http://allthingsd.com/20130530/live-with-google-multiplatform-chief-sundar-pichai-at-d11/?mod=atd_homepage_carousel
@jayholm:disqus @EarlyMon:disqus
Updated the post with the video interview (if you haven’t already found it).
Nice thanks!!
So if the SGS4 Google Edition and HTC One Google Edition both have stock Android are both updated directly by Google, then what is it that’s going to make a Nexus a Nexus? Besides the name?
What’s the difference between Google specifying features for hardware (or not) or simply only supporting the features they care about on the Sammy and HTC GE models?
What’s the real point of a Nexus phone at this point besides branding?
Price point I guess. Google did a good job keeping the price of the last batch of Nexus devices down, so I don’t see any reason they won’t continue that into the future. With the S4 and One still being priced quite highly, it should make the “normal” Nexus a more attractive option to those wanting a pure experience without a hefty price tag.
Fair enough!
How come when Apple “brings jobs to America” everyone makes a big fuss but the fact that Samsung has been doing it forever people ignore it or ban its devices cause its Korean. Now that Moto is bringing it back to America, where is all the press coverage. Why does the media love icrap so much? End Rant