Google and HTC to partner up for Nexus 9 tablet

Previous rumours suggested that HTC would make a Nexus 6 budget smartphone and Nexus 8 tablet, with indications pointing towards a Q3 release in 2014, but this has not come to pass.

MORE: Google Nexus 7 (2013) review

The Wall Street Journal points out that Google tends to choose a different device manufacturer for each Nexus device: be it smartphone or tablet. After using Asus, Samsung and LG, it's now HTC's time to shine, with Google saying "Android is a vibrant ecosystem, and many of the industry players are doing very well. There's room for many partners to do well and to innovate with Android".

MORE: Nexus 8 tablet rumours surface

Specs or a release date haven't been confirmed yet, but previous rumours from Twitter account @UpLeaks predicted 4GB of RAM and a 64-bit Tegra processor. Fresh rumours suggest the tablet will come with a new Nvidia Tegra K1 processor chip, and will be released alongside the full public release of Android L in the autumn. With Q3 of this year soon coming to a close, it looks likely a new product will be released in Q4.

MORE: Android L: Everything you need to know

[Image via Android Police]

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.