Google to host Android event on October 29

It has long been rumoured that Google will showcase its next smartphone, currently dubbed the Nexus 4, by the end of this month. Google has sent out invites for an event slated for October 29 with the tagline, ‘The playground is open’.

With Google already having announced Android v4.1 (Jelly Bean), and having showcased the first Google tablet, the Nexus 7, all eyes are now on the New York event to see what Google has in store for the world.  At the Google event, it is highly likely that it will display its upcoming mobile operating system, Android v4.2 (Key Lime Pie) along with a new phone, presumably a Nexus based on LG’s recently announced Optimus G. The Google’s Nexus flagship device concept is going to undergo a major overhaul.

On the day, let's see what new toys Google has on offer (Image Credit)

Now, any manufacturer will be able to release a smartphone under the Nexus banner, but will have to adhere to some strict rules set by Google. According to the rules, manufacturers must use stock Android, and have 64MB of secure memory for media streaming. Custom UI skins such as HTC’s Sense UI or Samsung’s TouchWiz will be allowed in the new Customization Center. Also, some hardware requirements must be met so that the devices will be able to run Android v5.0, scheduled to arrive by fall 2013. So there may be a minute possibility that we may witness more than one flagship smartphone from Google at the event.

October 29 is shaping up to be a busy day for the mobile world with Microsoft planning to hold a Windows Phone 8 launch event the same day. As for the Nexus 4, rumours point to a mid-November launch. 

Going by images that had leaked earlier, the face of the handset is similar in design to last year’s hugely popular Galaxy Nexus manufactured by Samsung. The major difference between them can be seen at the back of the device, where it has a crystal-like design that it gives it an overall rich and classy finish.

The LG-manufactured Nexus currently goes by the codename E960 Mako. A range of specifications about the handset have leaked online. The E960 Mako or the Nexus 4 will be powered by Qualcomm’s 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro with an Adreno 320 GPU, and will feature a 2GB RAM. There will be a 1280 x 768 True-High Definition IPS display, an 8-megapixel camera, and a non-removable battery. It will also have no microSD slot, and from 8GB to 16GB of internal storage.