With Google apparently set to retire its Nexus program in favour of a new program currently known as Android Silver, it appears that the company has shelved plans to launch the Google Nexus 6 later this year. But the device that was to have known as the Google Nexus 6 may resurface with a powerful new processor when the new certification program launches. The usually reliable @evleaks suggests that LG will offer one of the first Android Silver devices.
Little is known about this LG device but it could be powered by a new Qualcomm MSM8994 processor. While the MSM8994 has yet to be announced, it’s not the first time it has popped up in rumours. BlackBerry is also looking to use it for an upcoming device.
The MSM8994 appears to be none other than the upcoming 64-bit enabled, LTE-equipped Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 which is expected in the first premium mobile devices sometime in Q1 2015. Built using a 20nm HKMG process, it will sport a 64-bit architecture and sport eight cores, four Cortex-A57 and four Cortex A-53 cores, along with an Adreno 430 GPU.
The report adds that this new LG Silver program device is headed to Sprint. Could it do so as an exclusive? With rumours that Google will work more closely with carriers to offer Silver devices, this is certainly plausible.
As for the Android Silver certification program, @evleaks indicates that it could launch in or around February 2015. Maybe Google will make an announcement at Mobile World Congress 2015.
All in all, while many of us will mourn the passing of the Nexus program, it appears that Google has some exciting new plans to make sure we don’t miss it too much.
Sources : @evleaks (1) // @evleaks (2)