A new report says Motorola is working with Google to launch its first phablet, a 5.9-inch giant smartphone codenamed “Shamu”.
Although Google was quick to launch its own Nexus-branded smartphones and tablets, one area Google hasn’t entered with Nexus is the world of “phablets” – a cross between a smartphone and a tablet.
Android blogsite “Android Police” noted an entry in Google’s “issue tracker” by a company known to test pre-release hardware, thus raising suspicions that a rumoured new Nexus phablet from Google and Motorola, codenamed “Shamu”, is on the way.
 Click to enlarge |
| Google’s current Nexus 5 smartphone |
The issue tracker has some additional information, noting the device is running the pre-release “Android L” OS, as well as listing the “Shamu” codename, adding further credence to the idea this may well be the new Google phablet running a test version of its brand new OS.
While there have been reports that the Nexus program was set to be replaced by the “Android Silver” initiative, Android Police quoted Googler David Burke suggesting there was still an as-yet unreleased Nexus phone still in the works, which could be this model.
Samsung has been at the forefront of the phablet revolution with its Note 1, 2 and 3 models with screens in between the 5 and 6-inch range, but they’re not alone – Huawei announced its 6.1-inch Ascend model running Android back in January 2013, among many other Chinese Android clones in various small to very large sizes.
There are also very strong rumours that 2014 will be the year that finally sees large screen iPhones on the market in two sizes – 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches.
A 6.1-inch smartphone isn’t the biggest phone on the market, however – the world’s biggest “smartphone” would have to be Samsung’s 12.2-inch Note Pro tablet.
It comes in a 4G variant that lets you make and receive phone calls, making it the biggest “phablet” on the planet.
