According to the Wall Street Journal, Google could be brewing a new strategy for its Android mobile operating system. A source familiar with the matter allegedly told the WSJ that Google is planning to grant mobile device manufacturers an early access to new releases of Android in a bid to prevent wireless carriers from controlling the devices. That was pretty the plan with the Nexus S, and although it was a great device, the plan was basically a commercial “flop”.
Based on what it has done in the past, Google will usually give one manufacturer an early look at the latest version of the OS to help build a Google-branded Nexus device. You can see that with the Nexus One in 2010 with HTC as its partner, and then the Nexus S announced the same year with Samsung as its partner, and finally the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
The report said that this will give Google the ability to have up to five Google devices, starting with Android 5.0 codenamed Jelly Bean. Google will work with as many as five manufacturers at a time to create a portfolio of “Nexus” lead devices that include smartphones and tablets. Google also plans to sell the gadgets directly to consumers in the U.S., Europe and Asia through its website, and potentially through some retailers, the source said.
But even better is the claim made by the same source that the said five Nexus devices will be available by Thanksgiving this year. It sounds pretty exciting doesn’t it? But as much as we are excited about the rumor, let’s take it with a grain of salt. After all, the source has not been identified and Google is mum about it.