With little fanfare, Google recently announced every major mobile product expected from the company this year: the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and Android 5.0, also called Lollipop.
Other than these, there’s also something we weren’t expecting: but also with a very familiar name, an Asus-made set-top-box called the Nexus Player.
First up is the Motorola-built Nexus 6.
With the latest Nexus phone, Google is taking on the phablets. Even for a phablet, the Nexus 6 is huge: it sports a 5.96-inch, 2560 by 1440 display with 493 ppi. (Compare that to the upcoming device from Samsung, Note 4, which is “only” 5.7 inches.)
The Nexus 6 has a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor with SoC chipset and is available in 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. It has 13MP rear and 2MP front cameras and a 3200 mAh battery. The Motorola-built device is heavily based on the 2014 Moto X (second generation).
Along with the Nexus 6 announcements comes the official name for the next version of Android. Android L is now being called the Android 5.0 Lollipop, and it will ship already installed on the new Nexus 6 and Nexus 9.
Lollipop comes with Google’s new Material Design, as well as Android Runtime, and will be rolling out to existing compatible Nexus and Google Play edition devices in the coming weeks.
Those looking for a replacement for their old Nexus tablet can pick up an HTC-developed Nexus 9, with brushed-metal sides and an 8.9-inch screen. Whether using the slate for work or play, Google has designed a separate keyboard folio to magnetically attach to the Nexus 9; it folds into two angles and rests securely on your lap like a laptop.
Also, this is the first tablet HTC has developed since the HTC Flyer disaster in 2011, so both companies have high hopes for this one.
Google has also announced the Nexus Player, their second attempt at a media player for TV. Their first, the Nexus Q, failed horrendously, with Google withdrawing the product just six months after release.
The Nexus Player will come with two remotes: a normal remote with voice search and a video game controller.
Android TV will feature different TV shows, movies, and video games in the store, allowing users access to a full collection of entertainment through one box.