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An interesting (and, depending on who you are, disturbing) rumor seems to have crossed the wire this morning. Leakster extraordinaire Eldar Murtazin supposedly has it on good authority that Google is looking to kill off the Nexus program at some point next year. The downfall of Nexus would make way for Google Play Edition devices, which are stock Android versions of existing consumer devices which get software upgrades directly from Google.
We’re obviously going to be taking this rumor with a large grain of salt, but it’d be interesting to see if Google really does plan on going this route. Nexus devices have become more symbolic than anything else, giving Android enthusiasts and developers an inexpensive, yet highly capable option for use and development. There are three things the Nexus program is still known for:
- Fast updates
- Stock firmware with no bloatware
- Cheap price
All of that hasn’t exactly translated well to Google Play Edition devices. More often than not, these devices get upgrades to Android later than their Nexus counterparts, and cost just as much as if you were to buy the handset off-contract straight from carriers and retailers. They still do offer stock firmware with no bloatware, though, so there’s that.
It’s said Google would favor this route as they don’t want to eventually run into a situation where they’re chastised for favoring one group of devices over another. Giving everyone a chance to make Google Play Edition devices would definitely solve that issue, though consumers probably won’t be too happy with what would effectively be see as the death of Android’s most iconic series of devices.
We’re not throwing all our eggs into Murtazin’s basket, though, so don’t get too worked up about this rumor just yet. If anything, just remember that we still have at least a great couple of years to go before we’d see anything like this go down.
1 word… Motorola.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
That makes sense, though the moto x still didn’t launch anywhere near the cheap price of a nexus
Well now Google is selling Motorola to Lenovo. The Nexus program is done.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
As much as I hate to admit it, from a business standpoint, this makes a lot of sense.
Hell to the NOOOOO G, if anything Dump the GPE devices.
THANKS OBAMA
No President Obama thanks you.
Cheapest GPE phone is $600. :/
200
Which? OHH. The Moto-G .. forgot about that one.
Moto G.
Overlooked since it came out recently.
Moto G i think
The Moto-G is one heck of a phone for only being a 3G phone.. I set my Gfriend up w/ one and being she doesnt use it a ton, just normal phone and texting and with wifi on all day, We were on day 3 and still had 41% battery.. I didnt think it was ever gunna die.
I have a Verizon Moto-X and its battery has been awesome as well.
$180 for the 8GB MotoG
keep it up and we’ll all end up with icrap
There’s another thing that the Nexus program has done – make carrier-unlocked devices readily available in the US, bypassing carrier-based sales channels. I’d like to see them keep this alive long enough that carrier involvement in device sales is all but eliminated.
Another thing Nexus has done: encouraged the anti-consumer Apple-initiated mentality of removing the features of removable batteries and expandable storage. I’m not interested in Nexus-anything as a result at this point. If I wanted to give up these 10-year-old fundamental features of my cell phone, I’d have gone to the Apple dark side already.
You do realize you can swap batteries even in an iphone pretty easily right? It is just a couple screws.
That’s an impractical thing to expect someone to do at whatever random spot they are mid-day when their battery dies. Or as the case may be sometimes, twice a day.
On all my phones I’ve ever owned, swapping the battery takes seconds and requires no tools. And with only 4 hour actual-use screen-on time for most Android phones, this needs to be done at least once a day. So I keep spares with me, and can pop in a charged while while I’m walking, at a club, or wherever need be in just moments.
4 hour actual on screen time? What device are you using?
Also do you do anything else? How do you get 4 hours screen on in an 8 hour work day?
Yes, Google made it acceptable (from a manufacturer’s point of view) to make devices without user-replaceable batteries and without expandable storage, and many manufacturers followed right along. I once took the stand that I would never buy such a device. But after having my Bionic, and first hand experience with several Droid X and Droid X2, I decided that the implementation of expandable storage (with a separate internal storage that every app used by default) was all but worthless, and I caved in on that point. With my Moto X I decided that the other benefits of the device outweighed the con of a fixed battery.
From the manufacturer’s side, I expect both of these things are looked at as incentives to upgrade in the future – when your 16GB of storage is no longer enough, or after countless charge cycles your battery only lasts 6-8 hours per charge. Planned obsolescence is the name of the game.
I’m not disagreeing that the implementation could be better. But it’s not just about needing more storage. It’s about being able to back-up files onto storage that is independent of the state of the hardware.
I can’t tell you how many times my nightly, automatic Titanium Backup to my external SD card has saved the day when my phone experienced a hardware failure. Pop the MicroSD into a replacement phone, restore, done.
And despite the implementation, it works great to offload pictures, movies and audio without any issue… the major users of storage.
GPE still does that, Michael. You look at the hardware and see it’s mainly T-Mobile’s stuff, but it’s bloat free. Why can’t Congress be like S.Korea with banning bloatware? It’s bad for the consumer. That system configuration thing T-Mobile uses? I rather say hell no to it. I might move to the Nexus 5 myself.
Not all carrier bloatware is bad. I do like T-Mobiles WiFi calling. It helps in buildings with basements.
I consider bloatware unnecessary software, but I agree with you. That service should be included under each phone imo.
No GPe device has the same radio as N5. Until they do and match the price of N5 then there’ll be justification.
Moto G is not only lacking in the radio but doesn’t have LTE and I don’t see anyone jumping from an LTE device to moto G to justify cost.
You realize that the Nexus program is available in more countries, hence why the radios are expanded. Forget about the price scheme. The Nexus has so many compromises. Bad camera, low battery life, expensive accessories, etc.
Are you implying the GPe is not available those other countries in their original form or that there are no app developers in those other countries ? The Nikon 7100 was rated best camera by consumers guide (not sure if that’s the correct name ) you want better pics, buy one. I can’t afford one so I have a Panasonic GF6. I have a N5 which last me a good 13 hrs a day, enough to carry me home. If the accessories where cheap you would have been the first to complain.
Can’t you tell I don’t like the heat?
Yes, I am because of the lack of band support. I don’t want to buy a SLR. By that logic, why not buy a tablet to check emails instead of looking at my phone? Phones are a central place to check email, Netflix, text, phone, web browse, etc. Phones have 20+ mp cameras. My friend uses a SLR because she’s a photography fan. It’s not not like the Nexus line is perfect, but battery life and cameras suck.
I feel like nexus devices have made a big impact on manufacturers selling their devices for cheaper prices for instance the moto x is not going to be under $350 off contract. I think it has been very beneficial for both the consumer and google
What about the Nexus tablets? There aren’t any GPE edition tablets yet. Does that mean there won’t be any stock tablets for purchase?
LG G Pad – https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=lg_g_pad
There’s the LG G Pad 8.3 GPE.
There is a GPE tablet, the LG Gpad 8.3. But only just one.
Lg g pad 8.3
LG has a GPE tablet iirc
Oh right, I forgot they just added those. Thanks for the correction
I actually like this idea. I may get a lot of flack, but hear (or in this case read) me out. The Nexus device lineup was meant to be for developing apps. People then bought them because of cheaper prices because Google sells them at losses and bring in revenue elsewhere through their services and what not. People constantly complained about how it’s not up to par flagship wise compared to other companies’ products. People always say I would want pure android on a Galaxy, Sense, etc device. Motorola was an acquisition by Google. The Moto X is not that as expensive and Google can make devices like that and still compete. Now, people get their “Pure Android” on devices with hardware they like. Google is less likely to sell phones at losses now, but Motorola will produce money for them. It was not a bad acquisition at all.
This makes me want to buy every Nexus device right now and hoard it for the purists in future years
So instead of having a Motorola “Nexus” device they will call it a GPE device and say the Nexus program is over. Sly move Google! :)
Well… Nexus devices are sold around the world.
GPE devices are sold in the US, plus they later add a country or two… or maybe not.
So that means, goodbye to Nexus-like devices for the rest of the world?
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is true. GPE only get later updates because it’s not a Nexus phone. Even previous Nexus devices get updates later according to their timeline. If they stopped the Nexus program, then it would allow the GPE devices to get them first & only. Plus you could finally have top notch hardware and quality wise. The battle will be the price. Google has some really cool ideas, but they do it randomly and it offsets everything. They seem indecisive. They need to find a stable plan and stick with it long term, or get serious and make Nexus device premium.
Eh… If they could drop the prices of GPE nearly in half, we’d be alright. I guess it does make a lot of business sense to kill one of the two programs. Then again, it just makes sense to me to have a series of devices that are the foundation of pure Android and highlight new releases for some extra buzz. They provide the starting point for all app developers and they are perfectly optimized with the hardware. Like it or not, this is essentially the way Apple does it (granted they only make a handful of devices with no extra OEM’s) and it just works so well.
That said, I think we need to let go of some of the “benefits” of Nexus devices and just appreciate the Nexus line for what it is. Motorola and GPE’s are nearly as quick to the updates. Cheap price only matters to those who buy off-contract phones. Stock Android can be found in several places such as Moto and GPE’s nearly stock Android experience. And if you’re into rooting (If you’re interested in a Nexus device you’re probably at least familiar) there are several stock ROM’s for just about every device out there. I could have stock Android 4.4.2 on my LG G2 within the hour if I wanted to. I used to be a stock Android snob, but I gotta say… OEM’s have come a long way. LG’s UI isn’t terrible and with a few tweaks, I’ll dare to say it’s actually kinda nice. I know there’s nearly universal hatred for Touchwiz, but you can’t deny the level of useful features is staggering. These days stock Android almost seems… boring – begging for features that ROM’s, popular apps and OEM UI’s already have.
If you ask me… Keep the Nexus series primarily in the Google Play store. Keep it cheap and keep it 100% pure stock Android. Who cares if it’s not well known or a best seller. Those in the know can find it and appreciate it while it will still serve as the foundation to Android development. Let’s make a push for the GPE’s to be offered at every major carrier/store as a no-cost option. I’d like to purchase a GPE at my local store with or without a contract just the same as a standard skinned phone. And hey… can we get some Verizon love here? :-)
As long as they keep offering a high end, affordable smartphone. I don’t care about a minor name change.
That’s the problem though. GPE devices aren’t cheap.
Well, except for Moto G. No cheaper than the non-GPE version, but that’s cheap enough. And that might in fact be a key piece of this puzzle, if the rumor is true.
The Moto X is currently selling for cheaper than the Nexus 5. I’m not worried at all about their not being a “cheap” phone in the GPE lineup in 2016.
It SHOULD be cheaper considering it has specs that are a year older, basically the same as the Nexus 4.
Nexus 5 has specs that is still as good as any current phone available (aside from the camera) and punches way above it’s weight for the price.
Nexus 5 has specs that *are better than most current phones available.
I fixed it for you.
Better CSoC & wireless charging but par for the course on screenscreen quality, RAM, and internal storage. Below par on camera and battery life. Still a helluva deal for the price, however.
Eldar Murtazin again huh? Yeah I would take this one with a HUGE grain of salt.
Is there any info on how many GPE devices were sold? As I can remember, nexus 5’s sold out like hotcakes!
how do you know? Sales figures were never released
Good point. They most likely sold out because they didn’t exactly have tens or hundreds of thousands of units in excess.
Good. Hopefully people will stop rallying for every device to have virtual buttons, non-expandable storage and non-removable batteries like the locked-down Nexus crap.
nothing wrong with virtual buttons, a minority of people actually use expandable storage and carry around two batteries. The price of a nexus device is worth those admissions anyway.
Nexus is anything but locked down. Not everyone requires a removable battery or expandable storage, I know I’ve made it 3 years without either and it hasn’t drastically changed my life. On the topic of virtual buttons, I do prefer them as they can’t stop working but I can appreciate people that want them as well. I don’t want to live in a world where I can only get a Galaxy S14 or iPhone 16S.
Not everyone requires RAM or HDD upgrades but it doesn’t make Macs any less locked down.
That’s an awful analogy. You can’t upgrade the RAM in your cell phone either. In terms of hardware ALL cellphones are “locked down” until we get that phoneblok/project ara phone anyways.
Yes, they are all locked down relative to PCs, but the Nexus range is locked down relative to Samsung devices, for example, in terms of hardware.
I detest the concept of simplifying everything (read: stripping away functions) in the name of “consumer friendliness”. It is the cornerstone of Apple devices and anything that resembles that is something I dislike.
There is a reason people use Nexus devices, just like there is a reason people use macs. Not everyone cares about removable batteries. Case and point, the iPhone has been getting along just fine. These are selling points. They appeal to some, not to all.
How is a mac locked down?
My air is running linux right now.
Hardware. You cannot upgrade or replace anything.
That is the cost of the ultrabook form factor. Lots of vendors are using that format now, most are not hardware upgradable. You can upgrade hardware in a macbook pro and the desktop.
Laptop upgrades have always been rare.
Nexus was design as a development platform before it went mainstream. Why would you need more than 8gb on a phone to test one app?
There’s a million Android phones out there just buy the one that fits your need and stop……………
I like both.
What would really be great is if every manufacturer released a GPe-conversion kit for every device they sold.
Example: Buy the T-Mobile HTC One – Convert to GPe. Done. (You can actually do this, but not with the blessing of HTC/T-Mobile).
The GPe device does not support 1700mhz, does that cause any problems or do you just run different radio firmware?
Works fine fully converted to stock GPe. Some folks have reported better “bars” using a T-Mobile radio, meh…placebo. “bars” is not, nor has ever been a useful measurement.
It results in hilarious scenarios such as:
Call quality good? Check!
Data rates nice and speedy? Check!
One bar? OMG! This service sucks!
Sorry, didn’t meant for that to turn into a rant. No idea what happened there…
Bars is pretty bad, but you should be able to see and compare dbm. I would think flashing a T-Mobile radio after the stock image would be pretty simple anyway.
Nexus devices have always intrigued me because of their low profile to many people. When Nexus became more mainstream I was happy because the devices were finally getting the recognition they deserved. Over time though, Android has become more and more of a “Google ” based software. The nexus name to me is just one thing that let’s me know Android hasn’t totally turned full Google on us.
I’m fine with this as long as Motorola hits the same price points for the same features. Their new offerings are very Nexus-y.
The point of Nexus devices is AOSP. The number of GPe devices in AOSP? Zero…
“WE TAKE IT REALLY SERIOUSLY.”
The Nexus 5 competes directly with every other Android phone on software features, not just on hardware and price. Lockheimer tells us that Google doesn’t consider the Nexus to be “a hobby, we take it really seriously, and there’s a growing number of people who are actually buying these.” For the first time, the rest of the Android ecosystem might have to start taking the Nexus seriously, too. Google’s services truly do give the Nexus 5 an edge, and the thing about edges is that they can cut.
Honestly, this shouldn’t seem too too surprising, and I don’t see it too negatively.
I’m a big fan of the Nexus line, but I’ve been VERY happy with the turnaround with my GPE HTC One (reflashed carrier version). I get the updates (so far) within about 2 weeks of my Nexus7 and Nexus10 which I find pretty impressive.
The only downside is loosing the “price subsidy” that google seems to absorb, but given that the Ecosystem is now well established, on could legitimately question what benefits Google is getting from this now….
If this true, then I speculate that Motorola will handle the Nexus line. The other OEMs can offer GPEs.
No, if this is true then there will be no Nexus line. Even if the Nexus line continues, Noto wouldn’t handle it anyway. Moto is still trying to become profitable and the Nexus ain’t profitable.
The only problem with google edition devices is that they loose the special functions of the original device. This would work really well with Motorola’s strategy i.e. by releasing device specific software on play store. That way is users would benefit from best of both worlds. This maybe what google is aiming for. After releasing a few motorola play edition devices they can update those phones directly through google and update device specific apps through play store.
Not entirely true. HTC has continued to support Beats Audio on the HTC One for example, and they’ve supplied to basic drivers for the Ultrapixel Camera… It didn’t keep the “Zoe” features, true, but that’s ok. You do loose the eye-tracking things and the like, but let’s be realistic, these would never be part of a Nexus phone anyways
Yep and Xperia Z Ultra has X-Reality
Nexus was never meant to be a mainstream brand. Primarily for Android enthusiasts and developers. That’s why Google doesn’t promote it as much as Samsung does with their galaxies. They aren’t meant make profit.
they aren’t making a profit because google lets other companies create their nexus phone. but if google created and manufacturered it, Google would make a nice profit in sales.
If that’s true then why can I not watch TV for any length of time without seeing a Nexus 7 commercial. And considering the Nexus 7 is the market leader in its category… I would call that mainstream.
Well this is depressing. If they were to kill it in 2015, we’d only see a Nexus 6 this year and nothing more. Hell I wouldn’t even buy the final Nexus due to it being killed off.
Horrible news, I guess I’d be saying hello Moto from then on as they have the cleanest looking skin.
The GPE devices do not have a “skin” as you call it. They are stock android.
Maybe he’s comparing price
I was referring to non GPE. Moto has the cleanest look.
Not sure if there is a need for Nexus now, as long as we get (prompt) GPE versions of other phones.
Nexus One, Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus were not cheap, but were meant to show Android in phones with better design (Nexus One), good displays and new features (2nd mic, NFC, new sensors, etc.).
When Android makers all started pushing better designs and features, Google changed the Nexus mission – Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 targeted price/performance more than cutting edge features.
Now lots of makers are pushing prices down (and Google can lead this with Motorola anyway), and GPE editions can continue to show off the latest Android versions, so Nexus will need either a new mission or it can be put into hibernation until it finds that new mission.
No I love nexus series they are the best cost efficient services out there you can’t beat the value of a nexus
It seems to have already happened in some part, you can probably thank Verizon for this.
Whine much? VZW has nothing to do with A GP Edition line. In fact, VZW is one fo the main ones that would hate a bloatware free phone. Learn before posting.
It matters a lot, VZW still has the largest consumer base out of all the carriers. A GP Edition line on it would mean a huge addition to the popularity and availabilty phones.
If only they would not have to put bloatware on their phones.
It will never happen as long as the Qualcomm proprietary CDMA bits are in there. The prepaid Moto G on VZW is as close as you’re gonna get.
Do you even think before you post? You simultaneously misunderstood and repeated the posts you were responding to. Idiot.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus which Verizon refused to let get updated with the rest of the nexus lineup, and your a dumba$$ enough said.
Verizon does not even allow Google Play Edition devices or Nexus devices
i like to think that would be a good idea, as long as it allows them to put a more better thought into the MOTO line, MOTO X2, MOTO G2, i see that as a good thing, they can have a good flag ship, mid tier, and entry level MOTO
I hope it’s just a name change. Otherwise, ~$350 or bust. I’ll be hanging on to my N5 for a while.
name change is a mouthful… I think it’s a bad move, although they probably want more recognition in the Play Store name. Still.. Nexus has more of a premium name. Anything “edition” seems old, repurposed.
I hope not. I love the Nexus line. it’s changing the industry. Please Google, don’t do that.
Umm, no…its not changing the industry. At all.
Umm, high specs, no contract, and a price between $300-$400. Yes it is. Stop it clown.
And exactly what influence has it had on anything? Samsung is the runaway leader in market share. Where are Samsung’s low prices? Or no contracts? Or fast updates? The Nexus sells to a tiny subsection of the minority group that is Android enthusiasts. It literally doesn’t make a blip on the radar of things that are changing the industry.
You’re clowning yourself if you think otherwise.
You answered your own question. Samsung is the market leader and will be one of the last to respond to current trends. That you’re too simple to understand this is very telling.
Samsung became the market leader with practices that are completely opposite to what the Nexus is. When Samsung actually made the Nexus they were nowhere near what they are now in the mobile industry. They had to abandon the Nexus project to get to where they are. That you’re too ignorant to understand that makes you pretty typical of Nexus fanboys.
You obviously don’t know what your talking about. HTC makes the Nexus 1 and becomes big. Then Samsung makes the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus and …wait for it,they become big. Then LG makes the Nexus 4and now there on the rise. Coincidence? Don’t think so.
One of us doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Lets look at the facts:
HTC had 67% of the Android market, they release the Nexus 1, their market share drops to 32% They get away from the Nexus line, their market share goes up to 35%. Samsung has 27% of the Android market. They release the Galaxy S and their market share goes down to 25% they get away from the Nexus line and they are now the most dominant mobile phone maker in the world. The jury is still out on LG because they just made the Nexus 5, but their market share was higher before the Nexus 4 was released than it is now. In every case so far(and i know there haven’t been many Nexuses) every manufacturer has had their market share shrink immediately following releasing a Nexus device, and then had their market share go back up once the abandoned the Nexus line. Coincidence? Don’t think so.
Nice fiction you came up with. First there is no Galaxy S. Second Samsung sales exploded after making the Nexus S. And the sales of all Lg phones have more than doubled since making the Nexus 4. Sales may have dipped right after making a Nexus phone because they are not big sellers but for some odd reason these companies all seem to get a huge boost after making the devise. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
You got me. I typed Galaxy S instead of Nexus S. Typical fanboy response, going after a typo because you can’t go after the point of the argument.Sales dipped right after making a Nexus because not many people actually care about the Nexus or want one. Sales get a boost because a)The Nexus brought them down and they can pretty much only go up, and B) leaving the Nexus to make an actual phone that people care about put them back on the map. Fact is that HTC’s post-Nexus phones that sold big were nothing at all like their Nexus. Same with Samsung. History has shown that making a Nexus is bad for business and leaving the Nexus program is good for business because not that many people care about the Nexus.
Total sales are up for most manufacturers because more and more people are buying smartphones. That’s why you have to look at market share, and LG’s is down since they started with the Nexus program.
Its not “some odd reason” its that after companies make the Nexus, they realize how big of a mistake it is and they decide to focus on phones people want and get as far away from the Nexus idea as possible. Why do you think no one has ever left the Nexus program and then made another Nexus later?
Where do you get this stuff? If it was so bad business then why would Samsung and Lg want to do two Nexus devices. And why would they be interested in doing it again. No one cared or trusted LG until they made the Nexus 4. Then after that everyone wanted to see what they did next. And I don’t know where you got that Lg sales are down. There doing better in mobile than they’ve ever done.
Samsung did 2 because the Nexus S didn’t work on Verizons network(largest network in America) so they made the Galaxy Nexus that would work on Verizon.to see if it would fare better(it didn’t fare much better) and they haven’t come near a Nexus since. I can’t speak to why LG has done a second Nexus. But do you even know what market share is? I specifically said their sales weren’t down but their market share is down. It was 4% pre-Nexus and its 3.5% now. In other words they’re suffering because they decided to make the Nexus-which is par for the course. What part of that don’t you understand?
Samsung did the Nexus 10 a full year after the GNex. That counts!
Of course it does, since tablets and phones are the exact same thing.
you are an ignorant
Your logic escapes me. First of all, when HTC created the Nexus One; I believe Motorola was the only company making an Android phone. When more companies come into the mix, market share will go down.
The Nexus program is what got all the other Android manufacturers to up their game. Samsung created two of the worst Android devices before the Nexus One. The Nexus program allowed Google to define their vision of an Android device. The Nexus One in particular upped the game for all Android devices. Nexus S added NFC. GNex was 720p. The N4 was wireless charging. I am having trouble figuring out what new feature the N5 brought to the table, but it is a great phone.
In reference to the Galaxy Nexus’ failure, that belongs to Verizon (Google should get some blame for giving Verizon an exclusivity period in the U.S.). Verizon did everything to make it a non-Nexus phone – disabling Google Wallet and slow updates. If Verizon wants a Nexus phone, they should treat it like a Nexus phone.
1080p, multicast ( not just miracast), kitkat. Do some reading please.
Sorry bloke.
But all and each of the HTC devices after the Nexus One were clones downsized clones (Wildfire, Desire) or up sized ones (HTC Sensation, HD, Evo) same structural design, same capacitive buttons, etc.
On the Sammy part, the Nexus S and particularly the GNex marked the change of design politics from iPhone clones to Nexus rounded one.
Its not by chance that Google and Samsung recently agreed shearing a common patent porfolio.
With all my respects sir, you are a complete moron.
You clearly don’t know the meaning of the word “clone” as the phones you mentioned were not close to clones of the Nexus 1, But they do all have screens so I guess you have a pont there /s
Samsung’s design change had nothing to do with the Nexus and everything to do with Apple suing them back to the stone age for having a phone that looked exactly like the iPhone.
And what the hell does Google and Samsung’s cross licensing deal have to do with anything other than that they won’t be suing each other for the next decade?
With no due respect, you are a complete fool, idiot and simpleton(and that’s probably giving you more credit than you deserve)
Having a USP doesn’t make it industry changing, or pretty much every company would deserve this title.
The original iPhone was industry changing because it had a clear impact on the mobile market and the types of things we see today. The Nexus is not industry changing at all; I’m not seeing its influence anywhere.
No it’s not, it’s sending a signal. S ales numbers are not published, but everything points to relatively modest sales volumes. And the most horrible truth, most people of have Nexii phones get them from carriers (so they pay the same carrier subsidized price as they would with another phone – no rebates). So although Google tried to revolutionize the industry by breaking the carrier subsidy model, they failed.
Not true, I know 6 people with Nexus5’s, all of them got it from the play store.
Sure you do, like me you’re surrounded by geeks :) but most people who buy cell phones never look beyond the display rack in the malls, that’s the real world.
Nexuses(Nexii?) are overrated anyways. I say let them die. Plus this will save Google some money since they won’t have to subsidize them anymore, and we all know Google is a bit short on cash these days
Say it ain’t so!
A major problem with the GPE devices is that they are all the lowest storage capacity for that device. For example, the GS4 is available in only 16GB.
Another problem is that some of them also don’t offer full carrier compatibility, in comparison to the bands that the N5 supports.
Good thing it has a microSD card slot then
Have you not done your homework or read the reports? A microSD slot is 99% useless on a GPE/AOSP device since the OS doesn’t have the necessary hooks to access the external storage volume.
In fact, the GS4 GPE *lost* microSD slot functionality when it was updated from 4.3 to 4.4.
where is your source? stating the GS4 *lost* MicroSD slot functionality when it was updated to 4.4… please post a link.
microSD support is becoming less and less pertinent. It became a non-issue to me once I moved my music to GooglePlay Music cloud. 16 to 32gb would be more than enough for apps and day to day activity.
once you teach your grandma how she can record her precious life moments with the grandson in 1080p HD….. pretty soon she wants to do that every day…. not long before 32gb fills up…… then you got to teach her how to use google’s auto backup, and remind her to keep WiFi on overnight, then you got to teach her to…. and …. and so on….. and it just never stops…. lol
Haha sounds like you have some experience lol
If this rumor becomes valid, I hope that Google continues to collaborate with the manufacturers during product development, so that new ideas and features can be brought to fruition–like how the Nexus program made on-screen buttons and NFC possible for Android. If Google is just going to reskin existing products, then the pace of development will suffer. For them to have control over the future direction of the Android platform, they have to have some control over the hardware too.
Good point because without the Nexus program, Android innovation will probably come to a complete halt. I mean, why would Google keep innovating if there is no Nexus
Was this a sarcastic post?
i thought that was pretty clear
Well with some of the post blowing things out proportion on here I couldn’t be sure. Hell maybe everyone’s a comedian today.
Nope, just me, I’m the only funny guy. Just call me Arsenio Hall Jr
I believe moto x is destroying the nexus line. Nexus devices do not use top of the line hardware that is why there is always problems with battery life and the built in cameras have a bad reputation without mention the overheating problems. I have a galaxy nexus but I’ve seen the same problems in all nexus.
I could not agree more. I have looked at the Moto G, and that phone is far superior to the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 in terms of optimization and battery life. The Moto X is by far the best phone out. Whatever they are doing over there at Motorola, they are about to become the sole manufacturer I buy future phones from.
Thank you!
“Pichai denied that Google was “done” with Nexus devices, though he said the company would continue to partner with phone makers to promote its stock Android software on other devices.”
http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/30/4379936/google-will-keep-making-nexus-hardware-says-sundar-pichai
Nexus one and galaxy nexus were the best nexuses of all time !!
Exactly the only Nexus devices I have had.
;-)
the Nexus5 is waaaay better in my opinion.
As sad as this news sounds. I believe it. Now that Google owns Motorola, they can release a play version of the 2015 Moto X and price it for cheap…. I love my nexus 4, and I plan on buying the nexus 5! LONG LIVE THE NEXUS SERIES!!!!
If they can get discounted prices, I’m in.
…and they own Motorola. Idiots.
I can see this happening. What they are doing with the moto x and moto g, it is clear they have no need for the nexus program any more. I have this nexus 4, and i wish i had a moto g or moto x. Those phones are far superior in optimization and user experience to any other phone in my opinion.
Not trying to start an argument, but can you explain why you consider either of those phones better than a Nexus 5? The N5 has the same snapdragon 800, which is a better processor that also has the low power features of the MSM 8960 Pro of the Moto X.
Even though the N5 is a Google flagship phone, Android actually seems better optimized on the moto x and moto g.
From the little research I have done, the user experience Is better, the battery life is better, and I think motor a has done a better job optimizing the software for both phones in comparison to other phones out there.
The moto g reviews I have seen have done nothing but show how outstanding the phone is overall. Of course it doesn’t have NFC, lte, and some other features, but that phone has less specs than my nexus 4 and provides a better user experience with No lag, even though it has 1 gig less memory. Granted my phone is a year old, and this 4.4.2 update could be part of my frustration, but it seems like moto a headed in the next direction in terms of user experience and optimization. Now that may change now that they are owned by lenavo
please google, of all weirdest things you r doing… dont do this
Good news is this is probably BS.
So Google is going to throw out its most successful hardware line, the hardware that sells out in a matter of hours, in favor of phones that cost twice as much? I cant see that happening. The Nexus line is what Android is meant to be before its spoiled by OEMs.
It is actually a logical step. They own Motorola and want to sell Motorola devices.
Google isnt making a lot (if any) profit on the Nexus devices and the current Nexus is competing with a Motorola device.
Well…you had a pretty sound argument until just a few hours ago lol. Motorola Mobility is soon to be a Lenovo company.
They may not be making direct profit from the Nexus line, but what they are doing is generating ad revenue by getting a smartphone in the hands of people who otherwise wouldn’t get one. If they’re eating money on the Nexus sales, they know they’ll be making it back in Play Store revenue or ad revenue.
“We’re not throwing all our eggs into Murtazin’s basket, though, so don’t get too worked up about this rumor just yet.”
It’s too late, I’m already worked up and extremely disappointed.
Google Play devices isn’t even available in many countries, including mine. I was only able to get my Nexus 5 through a carrier. If this happens I hope that Google will at least make Google Play Edition devices available in more countries, so that it’s not just the US and select few countries that can enjoy these devices.
Sounds fine actually except for the outrageous prices of Google Play Edition phones. Sell one for $199 on contract and I’d be interested.
In the meantime, Moto X for $299 is the best phone there is.
How is the Moto X better than the Nexus 5, which is the same price? The Snapdragon 800 is a better processor with the same low power features that the MSM 8960 Pro of the Moto X supports.
I personally would prefer the optimizations/customizations that the moto x gets, giving it the 7 hour on screen time(OST). I’ve been able to push my N5 up to 5 hours OST, but that’s If I’m keeping things down, brightness, using airplane mode in no signal areas, etc. I also could have done with the slightly smaller screen and definitely the benefits of the lower resolution and AMOLED. Just so you know I’m not a small handed man, 6’4″ and can palm a basketball with no problem, but the GNex screen and the moto x screen for that matter are just right for all one handed uses.
The redeeming qualities that are keeping me using my N5(and not buying a moto x with the discount code I got) are the camera and the greater number of carriers I can use it on.
Raw power isn’t everything. Optimization is the other part of this equation.
No no no don’t do it Google the nexus devices are the best.
Nexus 6 was likely to kill us all anyway.
my Aunty Arianna got a nearly new silver
Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab by working part time off of a macbook air. try this
Big41.ℂom