With the incoming rumor that Google will be adding a number of manufacturers to the Nexus program it runs yearly as oppose to just one, I’m sure many people are wondering who will make the cut. Of course, nobody knows who or what will make the cut to be added to the Nexus program if, indeed the rumors do come true. Below, I’m going to list five device manufacturer – its doubtful they bring five into the program but, who knows, could be more, could be less – that we’d love to have a shot at a pure Google device.
HTC
This is obvious, isn’t it? They bought us the original Godfather Nexus and have been delivering quality devices that rest at the very peak of the Android mountain ever since. The first Nexus was a sophisticated affair, to me, the design still stands out as some of the best to grace a smarthphone yet. It was one of the first phones to feature comprehensive noise-cancelling technology and it bought a blazing 1Ghz clock-speed into our lives. Of course, the Nexus of old has been eclipsed many times since then and it’s clear that HTC would have to bring something new and interesting to the table to have a compelling Nexus device on their hands. They’ve shown that they’re more than capable though with the One Series of phones bringing new materials and, in the case of the One S new Architecture from ARM. It’d be great to see HTC bring their premium hardware design to another Nexus, for sure. Throw in their new ImageSense technology and I’m sold.
Sony
Sony Ericsson didn’t have that good a track record releasing Android phones, the Xperia X10 for example ran antiquated version of Android after another. Recently, though, Sony has bought out Ericsson from their joint venture and have already produced solid hardware in the form of the Xperia S – to be the Xperia ION in the US – which is a fantastic device. Unfortunately, Sony launched the Xperia S with Gingerbread, a decision that still has me scratching my head. Timing didn’t appear to be on their side with the launch of the Xperia S, coming out of said buy-out and having to put customizations on top must make Ice Cream Sandwich a real task, we suppose. The hardware of the device – which is what really matters here – is brilliant, with a stunning 720p display, a solid design and speedy internals it was the device that kicked off 2012 with a refreshing take on larger screened phones. Throw all of this together with unfettered Jelly Bean and we’ve got a killer device going here – plus, that Sony logo reminding you of every decent piece of audio gear you ever bought couldn’t hurt, right?
LG
These guys have been a bit of an oddball in the Android landscape, producing phones with 3D onboard, a 5-inch 4:3 device and generally releasing phones with some lacklustre software decisions. What reviewers and users alike always say about LG however, is that their hardware packs a punch. Their screens might not be Super AMOLED Plus packing bits of magic but there always bright and vibrant with good readability in sunlight. Design wise however, LG hasn’t been one to break from the pack all that much but, they have had some serious gems in the past such as the beautiful Optimus Black and the interesting Prada Phone 3.0 by LG. To see these guys have a go at producing a Nexus device could yield some interesting results for sure, if anybody could pull off a truly unique take on the Nexus, it’s LG alright.
Motorola
Ah, Motorola, the company that bought us the Razr and then the…Droid Razr again, and…again. Joking aside, Motorola have been making solid hardware these last few years even if it’s not always been all tat fresh. Motorola know how to make a good phone – hell, they invented the cellphone way back when. They introduced one of the devices that made Android a viable platform in the form of the Motorola Droid and they continue to make solid hardware. They’ve not been in the best of shapes as of late with Samsung and HTC consistently beating them but, this doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be welcome in the Nexus family. After all, they did a pretty good job on the hardware for the original Xoom – another Pure Google device. To see Moto design a Nexus would be sweet, perhaps a Nexus with a keyboard? Unlikely, but, we can dream, right?
ASUS
In these last couple years ASUS has proved that it gets Android. Producing the EEE Pad Transformer and the Prime after it they knew that Android didn’t need that much doing to it and, for the most part, left the experience relatively stock, only adding apps they felt they need to make use of their hardware (the way it should be). Wait, they don’t make phones? Well, I think there doing a solid job of making phones with the Padfone. The phone looks nice and features a high-quality Snapdragon S4 – running the latest A15 instruction set from ARM – a potent beast, indeed. ASUS sure know how to bring it, to see them make an aluminium Nexus a la Transformer Prime would be nice. Though, they can leave the crazy pen-stylus at home, okay guys?
Where’s Samsung though you ask? Well, they’ve had their shot, twice now, I’m sure Google will be partnering with them again – recent rumors suggest as much but we want to see something truly new for a Nexus, the device that we’ve come to look to in awe of its beauty, power and sophistication. I believe this can only be continued through a program that diversifies with more partners, competition is what makes us great, after all.