Confirmed: The next Nexus tablet will be made by HTC

posted by Chris P. / Oct 08, 2014, 9:29 AM

Confirmed: The next Nexus tablet will be made by HTC

Back in the beginning of 2011, HTC chose to exit the tablet market after its efforts in the space failed to trigger the demand the company was expecting -- so much so that one of the pioneers of Android felt compelled to give it up. Now, over three years later, the rumor mill is restlessly spitting out rumors that, if true, would mean that HTC is ready for a comeback. Indeed, as is the case in the mobile industry, when there's smoke, there's usually also fire, though that doesn't preclude us from being cautious. That's precisely why we're glad to see a high-ranking HTC exec finally break the silence and publicly announce (indirectly at least) that the company will be building the rumored 8.9-inch Nexus 9.

According to Focus Taiwan, Jack Tong, president of HTC North Asia, told members of the press in a briefing that the Nexus 9 represents "HTC's commitment" to what is its second charge into the tablet market. Tong said that the Nexus 9 will hit Taiwanese stores sometime in the fourth quarter, further fueling speculation that an October 16th event centered around the next Google tablet is in the cards. HTC's is scheduled to hold an event later today in New York, though that one will most likely be focused on the rumored HTC Desire Eye and its supposed 13-megapixel front-facing camera, not the Nexus 9.

Dialing back a little, were we not talking about a Nexus device, we'd probably have to question HTC's seemingly random decision to enter the tablet market. After all, the tablet market isn't exactly ripe for the taking anymore, and even Apple is having a hard time pushing increasing numbers of iPads to consumers -- demand has begun to level off, basically. What's more, unless Google suddenly decides to charge a more standard sum for the Nexus 9, we'd expect a pretty attractive price point -- likely too low for HTC to make some serious buck. That said, a widely-popular and affordable Nexus 9 may very well be a part of HTC's strategy, as it could provide a great benchmark for HTC tablets that consumers can later rely on, should the company decide to invest itself fully into the category.

source: Focus Taiwan via G For Games

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9 Comments

1. newbey123

Posts: 698; Member since: Mar 19, 2012

Pretty sure this was known months ago. Just hurry up and release it! Been waiting to buy a good quality tablet and didn't want to get an apple.

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 9:33 AM 4

2. draconic1991

Posts: 200; Member since: Apr 27, 2012

i just hope it doesnt look like the above leaked image...looks horrible compared to what htc has done in terms of design on its phones

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 9:34 AM 0

3. jroc74

Posts: 6023; Member since: Dec 30, 2010

Finally going back to HTC. Its about time....was getting tired of the seemingly favoritism towards Samsung and LG. Now we need Moto to do the phone.

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 9:51 AM 3

6. Taters

Posts: 6474; Member since: Jan 28, 2013

It's not favouritism. If Google wants access to the best parts and resources, it's not HTC or Moto. Definitely Samsung and LG.

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 10:18 AM 0

7. jroc74

If that was the case...Moto would have done every Nexus phone to date. A phone has to be a good phone first, everything else 2nd. Moto could have handled the phone parts, LG or Samsung the screen, Samsung the storage, LG the battery design, etc. Each manufacture has pros n cons.

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 10:39 AM 1

4. dorianb

Posts: 617; Member since: Oct 24, 2012

I'm not sure how I feel about this. 8.9" is an interesting size, but still 4:3 screen ration doesn't make it ideal for multimedia/gaming

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 10:06 AM 0

5. Taters

I am fine with the specs. I'd prefer something bigger but using HTC is a huge mistake. Their tablets sucked for a reason and since Google has full control and final say on Nexus devices anyways, you might as well just use the best manufacturer and parts supplier. And that's not suck T C.

posted on Oct 08, 2014, 10:17 AM 0

8. BattleBrat

Posts: 1476; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

All the Android tablets sucked in 2011, they didn't stop sucking till the quad processors rolled around. HTC makes some beautiful hardware, I can't wait to replace my Sony Xperia Tablet S with this Nexus 9