Google Andromeda OS to Debut on Huawei Nexus Tablet and Pixel 3 Laptop: Reports

Google's October 4 event is highly anticipated for several reasons, with the biggest being the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. Earlier this week, reports came flooding in that Google may unveil its Android-Chrome OS merger - a new operating system codenamed as Andromeda. Now, a new report suggests that Google may release Andromeda OS on the much rumoured Huawei's 7-inch Pixel tablet, which was previous pegged for an October launch. In the meanwhile, another report suggests that Google may launch an Andromeda OS-powered Pixel 3 'Bison' laptop in Q3 2017.

As per a report by 9to5Google, Google is prepping to launch a set of new hardware and the Huawei-built 'Nexus' tablet might be one of them. When the tablet was first leaked earlier this year, Evan Blass had tipped the tablet would be Pixel-branded, which is very much in line with other rumours about Google's upcoming launches. However, 9to5Google says that though it seems likely, multiple people familiar with the matter say that the tablet will continue to be Nexus branded.

The publication goes on to add that Google is only testing Andromeda on the HTC Nexus 9, but does not plan to release any such version of the tablet. Coming back to the rumoured Huawei tablet, the report adds that it may launch with Android out-of-the-box, but support a developer preview of Google Andromeda.

Evan Blass had earlier hinted in a tweet that the Huawei-built 'Nexus' device may hit the reality by the end of 2016, but now that a bunch of rumours indicate that Google Andromeda might be on its way, it doesn't seem to be the case. Evan Blass also teased in his tweet that the new tablet device may sport 4GB of RAM, in addition to housing a 7-inch display. In a way, it could be identical to an earlier leaked Huawei device (via Phandroid) that bore the name Huawei 7P.

In the meanwhile, Android Police has surfaced details about a Pixel 3 'Bison' laptop that will come with Google Andromeda on board. The laptop is said to have two variants, both featuring a 12.3-inch display. The report claims the laptop will be less than 10mm in thickness.

As per the specifications, the Pixel 3 will reportedly pack an Intel Core m3/ Core i5 CPU coupled with either 32GB or 128GB of inbuilt storage, and either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Significantly, the laptop may also have a fingerprint scanner, a 3.5mm jack, two USB Type-C ports, stylus support, and stereo speakers. It will also ape the haptic feedback and pressure sensitivity similar to what was introduced with Apple's 12-inch MacBook. It is also said to sport a backlit keyboard, 4 microphones and 10-hour long lasting battery.

The Google Pixel 3 is pegged to cost $800 (roughly Rs. 53,000), as per the report. As we mentioned, a Q3 2017 launch is expected, and Google will probably not detail the laptop at its October 4 event. Readers should note that Andromeda is just a codename, and when it launches Google will probably have another - catchier - name to go with it.