Google Nexus 8 Tipped to Run 64-bit Nvidia Tegra SoC Ahead of I/O Launch

The Google I/O 2014 event is almost a month away and the leaks for the Google's long-rumoured tablet, Google Nexus 8, are once again making the rounds online. This time, reports cite code spotted on Google development properties that indicate another Nexus tablet is in development, as well as what processor it will run. The speculated release is post the I/O event, in-line with previous rumours.

Folks at MYCE claim to have spotted new references to 'volantis/ flounder' in Android source code. Flounder, a species of flatfish, is the codename that Google is thought to have given to the much-rumoured Nexus 8 tablet, as it traditionally codenames its Nexus devices after sea creatures, as it did for Nexus 10 (Manta) (Review | Pictures) and Nexus 5 (Hammerhead) (Review | Pictures).

What goes a long way in adding credibility to rumours associated with the 'volantis/ flounder' codename is how Google has been removing references to it from its code and developer forums for a while now. Moreover the alleged Nexus 8 tablet is said to be launched during the Google I/O event, which is set to kick-off starting June 25. The time frame to launch the rumoured Nexus 8 tablet seems legit as the previous Nexus 7 tablets also came out in July.

MYCE further reports more references to the 'flounder' tablet running on a Tegra processor. Since the screenshot mentions both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, the speculations are falling more towards the 64-bit Nvidia Tegra ARM CPU. This differs from an earlier report, which claimed the Nexus 8 will come with an Intel chipset.

As per previous reports, the rumoured Nexus 8 tablet is said to feature a high-quality 8.9-inch display. The tablet is expected to launch in limited units compared to its predecessor, the Google Nexus 7, and sport a high price tag to support the specifications it might carry.

It has been claimed that the Mountain View giant has teamed-up with HTC instead of Asus for its next Nexus tablet.

Details about the Android version the Nexus 8 will run is also a big question, as Google traditionally introduces a new iteration of its mobile/tablet operating system when launching a new Nexus product as the platform lead devices. A report from February claims the Nexus 8 will run on Android 4.5, while a report from earlier this month indicates Google will drop its Nexus line of devices and replace it with Android Silver project by early next year.