It seems that with CES out-of-the-way that there is room for the rumor mill to crank back up to full speed once again and as always the juiciest of rumors surround the Nexus line from Google. This time around there are more rumors surrounding the Nexus 4 and its ill-fated production and scant supply. As with everything though, this rumor needs to be taken with a healthy dose of sodium chloride.
Apparently, LG have stopped production of the Nexus 4 and is looking forward to the Nexus 5. Erm, what? The Nexus 4 hasn’t really gotten off the ground, yes it seems to have enjoyed considerable popularity but is that due to low quantities? Is it down to the whole “unlocked” thing that more and more users are swapping to, or is it just because people want the Nexus 4? It’s hard to quantify any of those without any solid numbers from either Google or LG and it’s unlikely that we’re going to hear anything from them on numbers of sales. Google have never given much even out when it comes to the numbers of their smartphones in the Nexus line and this is probably down to them not selling a lot and while the Nexus 4 looked like it was going to be the Nexus to bump this trend, I don’t think the Nexus 4 has sold a lot more than the Galaxy Nexus did before it.
There’s been a little bit of buzz surrounding this rumor and it seems incredibly doubtful that Google will want LG to stop production of the Nexus 4 so early in its life span. LG are a company known for quickly introducing newer device after newer device but when it comes to the Nexus 4 they need to play things differently and if they want to keep things tight with Google they need to serve the search giant well. It would however, be a shame to see such a relationship go sour – especially when it started off in such a rosy picture:
“Through our collaboration with Google, we launched the LG Nexus 4 smartphone. This is the first of many devices to come from our growing partnership with this very selective company.”
So, where did this rumor from anyway? Well, the rumor seems to originate from the International Business Times which – if you’ll excuse me – doesn’t sound like the place to read substantiated technology news, mobile or otherwise. The International Business Times seems to think that because LG made a big thing out of the Nexus 4 and that it will be “the first of many” that means a new Nexus device must be on its way and the current Nexus being put down early.
It’s simply not going to happen and I think what we are going to see going into 2013 is more frequent shipments of the Nexus 4 as the device will continue to be popular even after all the 1080p phones have had their day in the sun at MWC and beyond.
My biggest feeling on why this isn’t gonna happen? Not even Google is this crazy.
[Source: International Business Times]