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Nexus 7 2, Nexus 4 & Android 4.3 Update MIA

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While some Google I/O rumors were proven to be true others fell flat, namely the rumored Nexus 7 2 tablet, the white Nexus 4 and the Nexus 4 LTE with 32GB of storage space and a new Android update being three of the big name products that skipped this year’s Google I/O in favor of new services.

Prior to today’s Google I/O 2013 keynote, Google was rumored to be bringing a number of new products to market including a follow up to the Nexus 7, new Nexus 4 models and a new version of Android that was thought to be focused on gaming and developers. And while Google did announce a wealth of new services, it did not announce any of those aforementioned products, instead opting to announce a new Samsung Galaxy S4, a device dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus Edition or Google Edition, a device that will be arriving this June.

Google I/O 2013 was rumored to be the launching pad for a number of new Android products.

Google I/O 2013 was rumored to be the launching pad for a number of new Android products.

The lack of new Android products comes as a bit of a surprise considering the build up to Google I/O saw a number of big name products rumored for arrival with leaks and analysts pointing to a number of possible announcements, including two that seemed to be all but confirmed for an arrival in the days ahead.

However, with the keynote now over, it’s now clear that Google will be waiting until a later date to announce some or all of these products, if it announces them at all.

Nexus 7 2

A Nexus 7 2 skipped Google I/O 2013.

A Nexus 7 2 skipped Google I/O 2013.

One of the device’s that was expected to arrive at Google I/O 2013 was a new Nexus 7 2 to replace the Nexus 7 which arrived at last year’s Google I/O. Several rumors pegged the device for arrival at the event with a number of upgrades over the original including a 1080p display and a faster processor, possibly the Snapdragon 800.

Those hoping for a new Nexus 7 2 were left empty handed as Google decided not to announce a Nexus 7 2 tablet meaning the Nexus 7 will remain the company’s go-to 7-inch tablet and the company’s competitor to the iPad mini.

The fact that it didn’t arrive at Google I/O doesn’t mean that it will never hit shelves. It’s certainly possible that Google has a new Nexus 7 up its sleeve for later this year, perhaps at a date more in line with Apple’s iPad mini 2 launch.

Nexus 4 LTE

There was a rumor circling around about a Nexus 4 with LTE launching at Google I/O with 32GB of storage space. That wound up not coming to fruition with Google instead announcing a new Samsung Galaxy S4 with Nexus features and yes, LTE data speeds.

This of course means that the Nexus 4 will stay on HSPA+ in the United States and elsewhere and the arrival of a Galaxy S4 Nexus likely means that a Nexus 4 LTE with 32GB is unlikely to arrive this year.

White Nexus 4

The elusive white Nexus 4, which surfaced several times over the past few weeks in the lead up to Google I/O, remains elusive as Google neglected to announce it at Google I/O.

Is this the white Nexus 4? And is it heading to a Google I/O 2013 debut?

The white Nexus 4 remains elusive.

With the Nexus 4 getting older, there are slim chances of a white Nexus 4 making it to shelves, but given that it’s just a new color, it could certainly still arrive at some point down the road.

Android 4.3/Android 5.0

Prior to I/O, Google was heavily rumored to be debuting a new version of Android. First, it was thought to be Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Then, more recently, it appeared that Android 4.3 Jelly Bean might have been on tap with some features for gamers and developers. That of course didn’t pan out and Android users were left empty handed with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean remaining the most current version of Android.

Don't believe the latest rumor that Android 5.0 is delayed.

Android 4.3 and Android 5.0 did not arrive at Google I/O.

Does that rule out Android 4.3 for later this year? It certainly doesn’t. And it certainly does not rule out Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Google last year announced a new version of Android, Android 4.2, alongside the Nexus 4 and we could see the company to wait until later this year to debut Android 5.0 to compete with iOS 7, Apple’s new operating system.

Google TV

Those looking for any big developments with Google TV or the emergence of a new Nexus TV with LG, the latter of which had been rumored in the past, came up with nothing as well as Google instead focused on many of its other services including Google Maps and Google Music.

Whether or not the company has a Nexus TV up its sleeve for later this year is unknown.

Google Glass

Google did not talk about Google Glass at Google I/O.

Google did not talk about Google Glass or Google Glass apps during its keynote.

And finally, while many consumers likely hoped that Google would do something with Google Glass, it’s wearable technology, the device was notably absent from the keynote.

We did hear from one Google Glass developer during a question and answer with Google co-founder Larry Page, but nothing much came of the question and its response.

Those looking for future Google Glass plans, including release date and applications will likely have to wait until later in the year for a yet-to-be-determined event.

22 Comments

22 Comments

  1. Dick D

    05/15/2013 at 1:01 pm

    Disappointed :(

    • Red Dotter (@bleah3)

      05/15/2013 at 1:22 pm

      Very.. :( I was holding out on the nexus 7 for the new one to be announced today. I don’t want to order one now only to sell it and buy the new one later this year.

      • todd

        05/15/2013 at 1:58 pm

        That’s what you get for being a cheapskate. Its 200 bucks for crying out loud. And why would you have to sell it when the new one comes out? Do you do that with your car?

        • Ali

          05/15/2013 at 3:12 pm

          Lol. That’s true.

        • Android

          05/15/2013 at 3:45 pm

          Why waste $200 if something much better is on the horizon?

          • uh,yeah

            05/15/2013 at 5:27 pm

            Something much better is always on the horizon……….

        • sai

          05/15/2013 at 3:52 pm

          When this close to the “expected” release date I’d wait it out for the newer model and see what it has to offer. And yes, I would do that with a car if the new year model was going to come out within a week or so. I would not buy the old model and cry over the fact that the new one just came out with new features for the same price.

          And if the new features were not appealing enough, I’d just grab the older generation at a discounted price.

        • Marc Tabor

          05/15/2013 at 4:19 pm

          to some of us 200 bucks is a huge some. hell I can only spend 350 a month on food. The purchase price of my nexus 7 was all of my blow money from tax returns. Think before you make comments like that.

          • Kevin

            05/15/2013 at 11:44 pm

            “Only” $350/month on food? I can eat like a king for that much. What do you do, eat out 3x a day?

          • Marc Tabor

            05/16/2013 at 10:12 am

            @Keven That is for a Family of 3, so Think of it as a bit over $3 A day for food

  2. ryuuie

    05/15/2013 at 1:19 pm

    This is why you don’t take stock in rumors.

    • donjuan

      05/15/2013 at 5:17 pm

      preach it. i was guilty of that.

  3. SaySimon

    05/15/2013 at 1:33 pm

    Many are disappointed with no Nexus 7 II, but there is one other new Android tablet that while from a lesser known tabletmaker, offers impressive features and does launch this month — the Icoo 7GS (3G edition) – with one of the first sites it’s available through is called TabletSprint — this new 7-inch Android tablet compares to the current $300 Nexus 7 3G version, with most of the same features, but sells for about $200 — and offers one of the newest Rockchip Quad Core processors, 16GB memory, an HD 1280X800 IPS screen, Bluetooth, WiFi, MicroSD memory card storage, HDMI, Dual Cameras and a SIM slot built in with 3G HSPA+ and unlike the current Nexus 7 3G which only provides data Internet access, the Icoo 7GS offers both internet and phone call connection through any GSM carrier, including AT&T and T-Mobile — the site TabletSprint also features a few other upcoming Android devices worth checking out that become available in early June–

    • jack

      05/15/2013 at 2:12 pm

      Liar

    • Chip Estrada

      05/15/2013 at 3:37 pm

      Interesting that you spam such a tablet yet tell us nothing of its processor… or Video, I doubt it is a Nexus 7 Challenger.

    • Marc Tabor

      05/16/2013 at 10:13 am

      You and yor “friends” have made this exact post on about every recent nexus 7 thread i have been to, go away.

  4. Harris

    05/15/2013 at 2:32 pm

    Looks like I’ll be picking up the Note 8 this week. Damn that sucks google.

  5. Mark Lapasa

    05/15/2013 at 3:13 pm

    Hey man, good coverage for the event. I was stuck in meetings and the only things I cared about are all those things you mentioned in your posts. Last year’s was definitely awesome. This year is pale in comparison.

    • Caleb N. Diffell (@calebdiffell)

      05/15/2013 at 3:29 pm

      This one was definitely geared more toward the developers and web users (with the G+ updates and the new Hangouts unified messaging). Odd, but I hope that means they’ll blitz the holiday season later in the year with new hardware. I’m certainly not in the market for a $700 phone, unlocked or not!

  6. qmac

    05/15/2013 at 3:19 pm

    So they announced all new services at I/O doesn’t mean they won’t launch new hardware with a new software version later this year, (which is right on schedule) for the holidays. Makes those Motorola rumors that much more juicy to say the least.

  7. ts

    05/15/2013 at 4:47 pm

    Sucks

  8. adadadadada

    05/15/2013 at 7:24 pm

    There are still 2 days left for Google IO.

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