For many years now, Google has been considered a software company. A very successful one, at that. The company has simply built the software required for things to run, then left the actual production and design up to manufacturers. This is what Google does with Android, Google TV, and until recently, Chrome O.S. We’ve never seen an Android device designed and produced by Google. Sure, they may have had their say in the design of the phone, but the manufacturer has always gotten the last say.
Recently, however, everything has changed. In 2012 and so far in 2013, Google has introduced several products that it has designed and produced by itself. The Nexus Q, for example was designed by Google. Sure it wasn’t all that successful, but that can be attributed to the software. The actual build quality received praise for being sleek and for having a subtle color ring around it. Google has also designed and produced Google Glass, which when you think about it, is a huge accomplishment I mean, who else could figure out how to get a projector and screen into a pair of glasses and make them look so sleek? Glass is an engineering and design marvel. Most recently, we’ve seen the Chromebook Pixel, and as we all know, it is absolutely gorgeous. It’s sleek, slim, and packs the stunning high resolution display. It also features the stunning light bar, which Google says was added just because it “looks cool.”
Now, compare those three devices to the recent Nexus devices. The Nexus 7 is dull and bland, featuring no true design enhancements. The Nexus 10 and Nexus 4 are slightly more appealing, but neither are as beautiful as the Pixel. The Nexus 4 has, of course, had more than its fair share of design issues, too. I mean, didn’t LG learn from Apple that glass backs are not a good idea for phones?
This poses an interesting question, why hasn’t Google started designing and producing its own Nexus devices? They have more than enough talent, and money, and resources to do so. Especially since their acquisition of Motorola. If there’s one thing people love about the iPhone 5, it’s the build quality. Love it or hate it, you have to admit it’s sleek and polished in almost every way possible. This is something Google could go head to head with Apple on at this point, and if Apple decides to release an iPhone 5S with no new design features, Google could blow by it. The Nexus 4 also had production problems and shortages, which cause the device to be sold out for extended periods of time. Google would be able to notice this early on and prevent it from happening.
I don’t know about you, but I’d be willing to pay a few extra dollars to have the next Nexus be designed and produced by Google. What do you think? Why hasn’t Google designed a Nexus device yet? Will they? Let us know down in the comments!