android Google's Nexus phones will reportedly be replaced by premium Android Silver handsets

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Google's Nexus phones will reportedly be replaced by premium Android Silver handsets

 

The Android Silver project, which was rumored earlier this month, has today been corroborated by four fresh sources, all of whom point to a major shift in Google's mobile strategy. The Information reports that the current scheme of offering Nexus-branded handsets with Google's unadulterated vision of the best Android user experience will be scrapped, to be replaced by a set of high-end Silver phones that will closely adhere to it. The change is both expansive and expensive, as Google is said to be planning to spend heavily on promoting these devices in wireless carriers' stores and through advertising, essentially subsidizing the development and marketing costs for its hardware partners.

 

In exchange for this new contribution, Google will gain tighter control over the software shipping on the selected phones. The promise is that the company will clean up third-party bloatware, ensure prompt and reliable software updates, and introduce a real standard and consistency to the user experience across Android Silver devices. LG and Motorola are identified as the likeliest candidates for taking part, with the first phones anticipated as soon as next year, while Samsung, HTC, and Sony might need a bit more convincing. Then again, all three of the latter companies already offer Google Play Editions of their leading phones, which might be the closest analog we have at the moment for what an Android Silver device will look and act like.

 

Google's appetite to reassert itself among premium smartphones has been evident in the first flagship Android phones released this year. Both the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S5 feature the words "Powered by Android" in their bootup animations, while in January Google was reported to have held talks with Samsung about reining in the Korean company's customizations.

 

Now the Mountain View company is mooted to be spending as much as $1 billion to get phone makers to jump aboard its new initiative. Android Silver will reportedly target the United States and other developed markets first, with in-store Android kiosks designed by Google showcasing its software. The one missing piece from this puzzle is what Google will do with the mid-range market that the Nexus program is expected to vacate. Android Silver is gunning for the high end, so who will step up to fill the void left in the middle?

 

Source: The Verge

[Draconian Guppy]

Basically, the're won't be any more Nexus branded high end phones?

[techbeck]

Wouldnt be surprised at all at this.  Really, what is the use of the Nexus series anymore?  Silver phones will be required to be released with the latest OS and be supported for a certain time.  Basically the same thing as a Nexus device but you get several models/OEMs to choose from with stock Android.  No bloatware....I say good deal.  About time.  And personally, I hope this puts a good sized dent in Samsungs marketshare.

[McKay]

Asked to cut down on bloatware? There goes Samsung phones  :rolleyes:

[shockz]

Hopefully they do something with CDMA headsets so VZW/Sprint/Virgin customers can pick up a device on the play store too.... I've wanted to move over from my iPhone to a stock android experience from sometime now, however whenever I get the itch, the cheapest decent unlocked device are hundreds more than a nexus.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

I hope they don't kill off the Nexus brand, it's the only Android phone actually worth using. I don't want to have to reflash my device with a custom ROM just to make it usable.

If they do decide to follow through then it looks like my next phone will be an iPhone again, which is a shame since (stock) Android is quite nice.

[spacer]

As long as there are options to buy vanilla android phones with no OEM bloat, I'll be happy. If there's not, looks like I'll be hanging on to my Nexus 4 for a long time.

[Mr. Gibs]

I hope they don't kill off the Nexus brand, it's the only Android phone actually worth using. I don't want to have to reflash my device with a custom ROM just to make it usable.

If they do decide to follow through then it looks like my next phone will be an iPhone again, which is a shame since (stock) Android is quite nice.

Well it does say that Google will have tighter control over the software and ensure the phone receives timely updates.

This sounds like the "Microsoft Signature" line of PCs tbh. Someone else makes the PC but MS makes sure it ships with no bloatware.

[adrynalyne]

I don't see this coming to light unless Google is also shutting down AOSP.