Fans expected Google to come out with a 2016 edition of the Nexus 7 tablet at the company's annual I/O Conference. However, the event concluded without any hardware announcement from the tech conglomerate.
Speculations now suggest that Google is readying the new Nexus 2016 lineup, including the Nexus 7, for a late 2016 release. The updated list on the end-of-life roadmap for current- and previous-gen Nexus flagships may give a hint.
In the Google support site, the tech giant has updated the roadmap schedules for support on the Nexus lineup. However, it should be noted that these approximate dates are only for security updates and support for the devices, with the exception of the Nexus 9. While the end-of-life schedule lists end of support for the tablet starting October this year, Google has already quietly discontinued the device, and has pulled out the Nexus 9 from the Google Store.
Meanwhile, a hint may be glimpsed from the end of support schedule for the Nexus 6, listed as October 2016. While Google has yet to confirm release dates, this schedule may mean that the company will be cycling its products again, with a late 2016 release for the replacements. This points to a refreshed Nexus 7 slate making its way to the market before the holidays.
In addition to the Nexus 7 tablet, it is rumored that at least two new Nexus smartphone flagships are in the pipeline. While it remains unconfirmed, two flagship releases are possible with the Google Nexus lineup. The current-gen Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P were released in the same product cycle. Reportedly, the two new Nexus flagships will be made in collaboration with either HTC or Huawei.
As for the 2016 edition of the Nexus 7 slate, Asus seems keen to refresh the tablet lineup once more. The tech manufacturer is the maker of the original Nexus 7 and even came out with at least two generations of the tablet.
