Google Nexus 8 with Android 4.5 Lollypop Tipped for July Launch

umors are once again spreading that Google has the likes of the LG G Pad and the iPad Mini in its crosshairs – will the Nexus 8 rise to the challenge?

Reports from all corners are once again signaling the possible arrival of a newcomer to Google’s hardware family – the unannounced Nexus 8 tablet. It has been suggested that the somewhat mid-sized slate could launch as a replacement for the Nexus 10 2, but it’s now being mused that it will in fact take the place of the third-generation Nexus 7.

The theory is based upon simple competition in the 7-inch tablet PC marketplace, which has already become overcrowded with thousands of devices from hundreds of global and smaller national brands. What’s more, 7-inch tablets are by some being seen as little different from the gigantic 5.5-inch and 6-inch Phablet Smartphones on the market today – stepping up to 8-inches would help draw a better line between the two.In terms of hardware, chances are we’ll be looking at precisely what was expected to make it into the Nexus 7 3’s makeup, only in this case with an 8-inch or 8.1-inch touchscreen. In specific, think a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 1080p visuals and a 10-megapixel camera and you’re at least half-way there.

As far as competition goes, the Nexus 8 would be squaring off against the likes of the 8.3-inch LG G Pad, the 8-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and of course, the iPad Mini.As for its ace in the hole, they don’t come much bigger than exclusive rights to a brand new operating system – the Nexus 8 is tipped to launch with Android 4.5 Lollypop right out of the box.Price-wise it’s anyone’s guess right now, but we’re expecting to see the release of the thing fall shortly after Google’s I/O event, so most likely before the end of July.