

Rumors have cropped up over the last few days that a big brother to the Nexus 7 is already in the works, which will presumably be called the Nexus 10. In addition to rumors that one of the manufacturers responsible for the Nexus 7 screens is also making 10-inch screens for Google, a Chinese website called MyDrivers.com claims to have some specs for the device, rumored for release this Fall.

Component manufacturer outs 10-inch screen for Google?

One of the most common sources for new gadget rumors, understandably, is companies that manufacture components for such devices. Such is the case with touch display manufacturers Wintek and AU Optronics, which are rumored to be making 10-inch displays for Google, according to DigiTimes. Wintek also reportedly shipped 500,000 7-inch displays to Google for its Nexus 7 tablet.

Multiple display manufacturers could result in quality control issues

It should be noted that Asus/Google reportedly also used TPK Holding subsidiary Cando to manufacture Nexus 7 displays, which lends credence to Asus’ recent claim that not all Nexus 7 units are affected by reported image retention (“ghosting”) issues. Since Google apparently will get its 10-inch displays from more than one manufacturer, similar inconsistencies in quality may also crop up with the Nexus 10, assuming the device does indeed get released later this year.





Using multiple manufacturers to make the same component can lead to quality-control issues like the image retention issue pictured here (images courtesy of Android Police)

Juicy spec rumors pass through the Great Firewall of China

As further evidence that China’s censors are not interested in blocking everything Google, the Chinese website MyDrivers.com (translated via Google Translate) leaked further details concerning the rumored Nexus 10:

The 16GB version will be $300, only $50 more than the 16GB Nexus 7

There will also be a 32GB version of the Nexus 10

It will also feature a quad-core Tegra 3 chipset

It should be released in the Fall, in time for the holiday shopping season

Before you say, “yeah, right, I doubt that a Chinese site about drivers has news about the Nexus 10,” you should know that this is also the site that leaked details about the long-rumored iPad Mini.

A revolution in the Android tablet industry?

If these rumors turn out to be true (the low-cost Kai platform reference by Nvidia certainly makes these rumors at least plausible), Google might finally gain some much needed traction in its battle with the iconic iPad for a bigger share of the tablet market. A 10-inch Android tablet with a quad-core processor for $300 would definitely give many consumers a viable alternative to the new $500 iPad. That is, assuming that Apple doesn’t elbow it out of the market with yet another injunction. Now, if only developers would commit to making quality tablet-optimized apps for Android…]]>