While consumers have been eagerly anticipating the release of Google Nexus 2016, codenamed HTC Marlin and HTC Sailfish, reports suddenly emerged that the tech giant is canceling its Nexus branding. And instead, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 might be the first to come out of the box pre-installed with Android 7.1 Nougat. What will happen to the two flagship phones that are supposed to be launched soon?
Google will no longer call its flagship Android phones "Nexus," Android Central reported. Along with it, vanilla Android is also going away. Instead, Google will launch a new branding, which will bring Google's name front and center. As of now, no further details were revealed as to what the new names will be, other than Google might replace the "N" with "G."
Android Central also learned that Google is releasing additional software and tweaking vanilla Android interface. It looks like Google is making a significant shift in its mobile phones, not only with the name but also with the design. Latest leaks showed an overhauled home screen and app drawer, which are not yet in Android 7.0 Nougat that reached Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P recently. Google has not made any comments or announced anything official, so it should be noted that these remain as speculations for now.
Meanwhile, Neurogadget reported that with the news of the cancellation of the Nexus branding, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 would probably be the first device to get the latest Android 7.1 Nougat. The first update to the newest Android operating system is expected to be released in two to three months.
HTC Nexus Marlin and HTC Nexus Sailfish, as they are still called for now, are presumed to be revealed in October. Renders of the two mobile phones were leaked, as well as their prices. The 32GB Marlin, the premium device, is expected to have an upfront price of $599, while Sailfish is at $499.
