Google’s Nexus line of products have long been popular with Android purists thanks to their vanilla build of the mobile OS as well as their speedy updates. The Nexus devices have gained even more attention in recent years thanks to Google’s aggressive pricing on phones like the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 5. “Nexus” may be a word that Android fans soon retire from their vocabulary, though, as a new rumor claims that Google will replace it with a new program.
Dubbed “Silver,” this new program will reportedly see Google partner with device makers to produce high-end Android phones that will have a limited number of non-Google apps or allow users to uninstall them. According to The Information, Android Silver products will also have prompt updates and a consistent user experience.
So what do the manufacturers get out of this deal? It’s said that Google will heavily promote Android Silver devices in carrier stores and other advertising. This means that the device makers wouldn’t need to spend so heavily doing their own promotion.
According to today’s report, Motorola and LG are likely to be the first companies to take part in Android Silver. The first Silver phones could launch as early as next year in the U.S. and other developed markets. Google will reportedly use in-store displays to show off the Silver devices and the Android software that they’ll run.
We’ve seen Google attempt to make Android more prominent on the platform’s hardware lately. For example, devices are starting to feature “Powered by Android” branding on their boot screens. This Android Silver program sounds like the next big step for Google to highlight Android itself rather than allowing brands like “One” and “Galaxy” take over the platform. And while this is all still very much a rumor for now, it certainly sounds like an effort that Google could make, especially since the “Nexus” brand has never really gained a ton of traction with consumers.
What do you all make of this rumor? Do these Android Silver devices sound like something that you’d be interested in?
Via The Verge, The Information
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