Nexus 8 ‘prototype tablet’ reportedly being tested in India

BY Evan Selleck

Published 9 Jul 2014

Nexus 8 database list

Throughout 2014, there have been repeated rumors that the Nexus program was being killed off due to another program, dubbed Android Silver, being introduced in its place. That was recently debunked, so now all eyes are out for any references to Nexus-branded devices all over again. That includes what is being called the Nexus 8, the rumored successor to the Nexus 7.

In a report originally published by Phandroid, a database entry could lend some credence to the possibility of the Nexus 8’s existence. The tablet, which is said to be manufactured by ASUS, feature a design similar to the Nexus 7 in some ways, was originally supposed to see the light of day in April, but that obviously didn’t come to fruition. It was reported on again in May, with the Nexus 8 (and Nexus 6) name appearing in a Chromium code review tracker.

This newest reveal, though, suggests that the Nexus 8 is not only real, but that the device is being released out into the real world to get some testing done. Based on the image above, the Nexus 8 “prototype tablet” has been making its way into India since the end of June. Unfortunately, seeing as it’s only a database entry, there’s not much to go on here. No hardware specifications or even the manufacturer behind the device.

However, there is a value listed, which has the two tablets here between 16,484 INR and 16,649 INR. That could mean the Nexus 8 sees a price tag just under $300. That’s possible, but it will ultimately come down to the features it packs, and the hardware wrapped around it.

If the Nexus 8 does exist, and any other Nexus-branded device for that matter, it could very well see an announcement later this year, perhaps right around the time Android L officially launches.

Would you be interested in an 8-inch Nexus tablet?

[via Phandroid]