SamMobile reports that Samsung and Google are teaming up in 2013 to bring a Nexus 11 to market. The rumored tablet would feature an 11-inch display, a 8MP back-facing camera, a 2MP front-facing camera, and an Exynos Octa-core processor. The CPU is notable as it would be the first tablet to feature an octa-core processor. Samsung’s newest octa-core CPU has only been made available in the international Galaxy S4 thus far.

Of course, Samsung doesn’t intend to let Google have all the fun. The company is rumored to also be releasing an 11-inch tablet under its own Galaxy Tab brand. The rumored Galaxy Tab 11 would feature the same specs as the Nexus 7, but it would be powered by a dual-core Exynos CPU to cut down on costs.

As for other tablets, the report says that Samsung is planning to release a new Galaxy Tab 7 and Tab 8 later this year. The company is already releasing a Wi-Fi and 3G capable 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3 in May, but the rumored Galaxy Tab 7 would come with dual-sim support for those who frequently travel or want to operate on two carriers.

All of this is just a rumor for now, but most of it sounds pretty legit. The Nexus 11 sounds like a natural evolution of Google’s Nexus line. As for Samsung’s other tablets, it loves to release its Galaxy Tab and Note hardware in multiple sizes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Galaxy Tabs in the coming months.

Google announced that the Google Fiber app for Android is now available on all devices sporting Android 4.2 or higher. That means that all of Google’s Nexus devices and the Asus Transformer Pad will now be supported. Of course, you may have installed a custom Android 4.2 ROM on your device, and that’s fine too.

Oh, and before you ask, Google Fiber still isn’t expanding beyond Kansas City just yet. You can install the app though, and pretend that you live in Kansas City. That’s what the reviewers of the app are doing. Although, I’m pretty sure Google won’t be expediting the move of Fiber to other areas just because somebody from Michigan gave the app a five star review.

You can grab the new Google Fiber app here. Install it on your Nexus device and dream of a day when you’re not being scammed by incumbent ISPs.

[h/t: Engadget]

Anandtech reports that the latest Android update hitting the Nexus 4 – Android 4.2.2 – has removed the ability for the Nexus 4 to access LTE networks on band 4. Before, users could simply access LTE by choosing band 4 under Phone Info. That method of connecting to LTE has now been removed, and it doesn’t look like there’s any other way to access it.

Here’s the guys from Anandtech showing how the Nexus 4 automatically kicks users off of LTE after the update:

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for those who were getting LTE speeds on such a cheap phone, but it really was only a matter of time before Google patched it out. If you still want to get access to LTE, Droid Life suggests users either wait on updating or hope an enterprising developer takes out the radio update from the latest Android update.

Either way, Nexus 4 owners will probably find a way around this latest update to keep getting their LTE speeds.

Pacific Crest analyst Michael McConnell recently said that the next-generation Nexus 7 will be ditching Nvidia’s Tegra chip in favor of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro. The change in processor appears to be motivated by Qualcomm offering Google a better deal, as well as the S4 Pro featuring better integration with 3G/4G modem technologies.

So, what does this mean for Nvidia? We’ve already heard rumors that OEMs were not committed to Tegra 4, and that Nvidia’s new mobile chip might be facing a hard time with adoption. At the time, I said the next-generation Nexus 7 may help the Tegra 4 get a leg up on the competition, but that may not be the case anymore. As for its financial impact, McConnell says that Nvidia stands to lose about $200 to $250 million if its booted out of the Nexus line.

Still, all of this is rumor for now, and we won’t know anything for sure until the next-generation Nexus 7 is officially announced. When will that announcement be? McConnell backs up previous rumors by saying it will be announced at Google I/O in May, and start shipping shortly after.

[h/t: ZDNet]

The device is rumored to feature a “Full HD resolution” display and a thinner bezel around the screen. These statements are similar to the rumors surrounding a retina display version of the iPad Mini and a new, much thinner full-sized iPad. Of course, the next nexus tablet would also come with the latest version of Google’s Android operating system, and would sell for the same price as current models of the Nexus 7.

By DigiTimes’ shipping estimates, over six million Nexus 7 devices will have been shipped by the end of this month, with the $249 32GB Wi-Fi-only version being the best-seller. DigiTimes’ sources estimated that, including the rumored next-generation Nexus 7 tablet, Google is expected to ship around 10 million of the tablets in 2013.

(via BGR)

It was noticed today that Google unceremoniously added a new option on its Nexus 7 ordering page. Alongside the AT&T Nexus 7, a T-Mobile Nexus 7 is now available as well. It’s the same 32GB unlocked tablet as before, but it now ships with a T-Mobile SIM card instead.

In all reality, it’s not that big of a deal since SIM cards are so cheap these days. It’s just removes one more annoyance for T-Mobile subscribers who want to add a Nexus 7 to their network without having to order a new SIM card.

Just like the AT&T Nexus 7, the T-Mobile Nexus 7 will only set you back $300. Not a bad price for one of the best 7-inch tablets on the market.

Now if only Google and LG can work on getting a fresh supply of Nexus 4 handsets up on Google Play. The much sought after smartphone will be available at T-Mobile later this month so hopefully it will be back in stock on Google Play by that time as well.

[h/t: Droid Life]

IBTimes UK reports that a rumor is currently circulating that says LG has stopped production of its popular Nexus 4. It would definitely explain why the device has been sold out, but why would LG, a relatively minor player in the smartphone market, stop making such a popular device. The answer might have slipped out during LG’s CES press conference.

IBTimes UK reports that James Fisher, LG Electronics SVP, said that the Nexus 4 was just “the first of many” Nexus devices it was working on with Google. He also teased that the company would be revealing some new devices during the Mobile World Congress in February. One of those new devices may be a new Nexus smartphone meant to replace the Nexus 4.

At the moment, this is just a rumor, but it’s a particularly interesting one. Why would LG so quickly replace the Nexus 4 with a newer model? Does Google think the Nexus line needs a refresh so soon after the Nexus 4 proved to be a critical and commercial success? There doesn’t seem to anything fundamentally wrong with the hardware so it makes little sense to replace it with hardware that’s only marginally better so soon.

If it did get replaced though, what would a new Nexus smartphone from LG look like? Rumors from IBTimes say that the next Nexus could sport a 2GHz quad-core processor and the next version of Android – Key Lime Pie or Kandy Kane. If it sports the next version of Android, however, the phone wouldn’t be available until Google I/O which takes place in May. I don’t think LG or Google want to hold off on having a Nexus smartphone for that long.

In short, I don’t think there’s much credence to this rumor. Is LG making a new Nexus smartphone? Probably. Are they going to phase out the Nexus 4 so soon to make room for it? Probably not. It’s already been well reported that LG has “scarce and erratic” distribution, so we might just have to wait a bit before the Nexus 4 returns to the Google Play store.

In any case, we’ve reached out to Google for comment. We’ll let you know if and when they get back to us.

Everything on display can be found in the newest version of Jelly Bean, but the OS is only available on Nexus devices at the moment. Sure, you could download a custom ROM, but LG really sells the Nexus 4 here. It just makes you want to buy one, but alas, you can not as the device is still sold out.

In fact, the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 are all sold out. These are the only devices, aside from the widely available Galaxy Nexus, that officially support Android 4.2 at the moment. It’s almost like Google is telling you to root your Galaxy S III and install an Android 4.2 custom ROM. Most carriers are now just getting to Android 4.1 so it will undoubtedly be a while until carriers upgrade everyone to the newest flavor of Jelly Bean.

Until LG fixes its hardware distribution, you can pick up Nexus 4 smartphones at inflated prices on eBay. The gadget scalpers are in full force offering Nexus 4 devices for the low price of $550 when the MSRP is only $300. At that price, you’re better off just buying a Galaxy S III and installing a custom Jelly Bean ROM.

The Next Web reports that the Nexus 4 sold out on the Google Play store in about 50 minutes this morning. If you check the store, both the 8GB and 16GB variants are sold out. Customers who missed out can enter their email address so they’ll be the first to know when it’s back in stock.

The Nexus 4 isn’t just doing well in the US. There are reports that that the new smartphone has sold out in the UK and in Germany. Germany was by far the most impressive with its initial allotment selling out in about 15 minutes.

The Nexus 10, Google’s new 10-inch tablet, is doing pretty well for itself too. The 16GB variant is still in stock, but the 32GB variant sold out this morning. The Next Web reports that the Nexus 10 has also sold out in the UK.

The rate at which Nexus devices sell out proves that Google is doing something right. It’s probably the combination of solid hardware with low prices, but the devices being equipped with stock Android may have something to do with it too. There’s something to be said about having a pure experience, and Android on Nexus devices provide that kind of experience.

It would be hard to beat the first Nexus 7 ad as it featured a father and son camping in the backyard with dinosaurs – a velociraptor from Jurassic Park to be exact. It was pretty awesome, but Google has definitely outdone itself with an ad that channels The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou – the 2004 comedy-drama from Wes Anderson.

Critics have traditionally called Apple a company that makes products for hipsters and mindless consumers. Samsung’s latest ads targeting Apple fans perpetuates that stereotype, but it may not be wholly accurate anymore. Apple’s latest ad for the iPad Mini is more minimalistic and could appeal to a wide variety of consumers.

Google’s latest Nexus 7 ad is the epitome of the Internet definition of hipster, and that’s a good or bad thing depending on your outlook. Google is trying to say that its Nexus line can unlock the creativity of the individual to achieve something great. The idea will resonate with some consumers, but others are just going to see a bunch of hippies in a high-rise wasting money on an art installation.

Either way, it’s a pretty cool ad. Strangely enough, Droid Life says that the ad has been marked as private on Google’s own Nexus YouTube page. It’s unknown when it will go back up. It’s also unknown if Google will air ads for its other new Nexus devices – the Nexus 10 and the Nexus 4.