New details about Google and HTC's rumored Nexus 9 tablet have emerged. The slate will reportedly feature an 8.9-inch 2560 x 1600 display, Tegra K1 64-bit processor, HTC BoomSound and more.
When Google launched its first Nexus smartphone in 2010, the company chose HTC to build the handset. The Nexus One became an instant hit with Android fans that wanted to run the mobile OS as Google had intended. There were no skins running on top of Android, bloat ware and carrier customizations. The smartphone shipped with Android 2.1 Eclair and had some very impressive features at that time, including the ability to transcribe voice to text and built-in voice guided turn-by-turn navigation.
The Nexus One had a very sleek and solid design that HTC was known for and Nexus fans have been waiting for HTC to return to the Nexus family in smartphone or tablet form. We've been covering the rumored HTC built Nexus tablet since March. In early June we reported on the tablet's internal codename of "Flounder" and Google's intention to use a 64-bit processor to match Apple's A7 74-bit chip found in the iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina Display, and iPhone 5s.
Many people expected to see the HTC built Nexus 9 unveiled at Google I/O in June, but it looks like Google might be saving the tablet to be the launch device for its just announced and next-generation Android L OS.
The reliable tipster, Evleaks has posted some new information regarding the HTC "Volantis," another codename for the Nexus 9. The tipster posted a macro shot of what he claims is the silver aluminum unibody case of the Nexus 9. He also says that the tablet will use a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor and 5GB of RAM (not final), an 8.9-inch 2560 x 1600 resolution display, 64GB of internal storage, 8-megapixel rear camera, and HTC BoomSound front-facing dual stereo speakers.
As always, it's best to take reports of unannounced devices with a huge grain of salt. If the specs are true, it sure sounds like Google is going to try and give Apple's iPad mini with Retina display 2 a formidable competitor when both tablets are released this fall. We'll be sure to keep you posted on all Nexus 9 "Volantis / Flounder" news.
