According to a source who is “close to the matter,” Google is planning to open up the Nexus program to multiple OEMs. This means the next Android 5.0, scheduled to launch around Thanksgiving 2012, will launch out of the gate with with multiple handsets built by the likes of Samsung, Motorola and possibly HTC. The report also stated that the Nexus devices will be sold through Google’s Play Store, just like the unlocked Galaxy Nexus.
Why would Google do this? Perhaps it is meant to wash away the idea that Google is giving Motorola first dibs. Obviously, Google hasn’t said anything on the matter but hopefully we’ll get a peep out of them this year at Google i/o. The question is, if Jelly Bean devices are scheduled to launch this year, what’s going to happen with ICS devices? Will they be forgotten? Will current Gingerbread handsets be denied an ICS upgrade so consumers will buy the newest device? I don’t know much about what JB is supposed to offer users and developers but whatever it is, it’s starting to make ICS sound like a stepping stone (in the right direction).
Via »Engadget
