Google ends the Nexus line in behalf of the upcoming Android Silver

Google is planning to end the Nexus line while offering a new premium experience with the upcoming Android Silver. This is not the first time rumors about Google killing Nexus appeared on the internet, it’s been said that the Google Play Edition will replace the Nexus line in 2015, so the news regarding the Android Silver devices are not surprising.

The Android Silver devices will carry Google’s brand, not as the Google Play Edition devices that carried the brand of their manufacturers (Samsung, HTC and Sony) and that are still sold this way. These devices will also be promoted by Google itself, unlike the Google Play Edition, the marketing campaign costing up to $1 billion. Unlike Nexus and Google Play Edition that are available only via the online store, the Android Silver devices will be sold in telecom carriers’ stores.

“The expensive effort involves dumping the Nexus phone brand in favor of a new program called Silver, under which manufacturers and wireless carriers will be paid to produce and sell high-end devices that closely adhere to Google specifications, according to four people briefed on the project,” a report claims.

Google wishes to restrict pre-installed apps on their Silver products in order to avoid bloatware, therefore, users will be able to uninstall carriers or manufacturers apps from these devices if they wish. The Android Silver devices will have top updates such as voice recognition and water resistance, features that would help them in the smartphone popularity competition against iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

While Samsung, HTC and Sony might not join this program, Google has already convinced LG, Motorola and some Chinese companies to produce the Android Silver devices. These companies will get free software support and advertising from Google, meaning big sales with small investments. The Android Silver devices will be available in the US, Germany and Japan in early 2015.