Last month, Google created a big splash when it announced its Pixel-branded smartphones, along with the Daydream VR, at a special launch event. Fans were expecting that the 2016 version of the Google Nexus 7 tablet was also going to make an appearance at the event, but the device was a no-show, leaving tech watchers to speculate on the tablet's fate.
Earlier this year, it was rumored that Huawei might manufacturer the upcoming device, and the rumors were strengthened when internet tipster Evan Blass tweeted some information about the upcoming tablet.
"Google's Huawei-built 7-inch tablet, with 4GB RAM, on track for release before the end of the year," Blass wrote.
However, a new report appears to indicate that Huawei won't be teaming up with Google anytime soon as the Chinese company reportedly declined to build the Pixel phones.
According to GSMArena, a report surfaced claiming that Google had talked to Huawei about building its Pixel devices before ultimately choosing HTC as the contract manufacturer. It was said that Huawei turned down Google, apparently because the latter insisted that its brand should be the only one featured on the Pixel phones. When Huawei executives learned that the company's logo won't be on the phones, they reportedly decided to pass on the offer.
German publication WinFuture spoke to Colin Giles, Huawei's vice president of the Consumer Business Group, about the matter, and it was said that the executive confirmed the reports. Now, it remains to be seen whether Huawei will work with Google again on the Nexus 7 after the two companies successfully collaborated on the Nexus 6P last year.
It's likely that the Nexus 7 2016 could be rebranded as a Pixel product and could bear the brand when it launches before the year is over. There is a possibility that Google could choose to work with HTC again on the tablet, though plans for the device have yet to be confirmed by the company.
Stay tuned for more news about the Google Nexus 7 2016 tablet.
