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Google's Android Silver Program 'Stalled', Future Uncertain: Report

Google's Android Silver Program 'Stalled', Future Uncertain: Report

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 17 September 2014 18:29 IST

Google's Android Silver program, a rumoured ambitious project of the company to certify high-end devices from OEMs that meet Google's requirements with a premium badge, had been in the news for months before reportedly being shuttered.

Multiple reports had even claimed that Google, in favour of the new Android Silver, would dump the company's existing and successful Nexus programme - though Sundar Pichai had in February confirmed the next Nexus smartphone would arrive in the second half of the year.

Dismissing reports about Android Silver replacing the Nexus devices, Google's Head of Android Engineering and Nexus Program, Dave Burke had in June confirmed that the Nexus program would continue and a new Nexus flagship running Android L could be expected to launch later this year.

Now, a new report claims that Google's project Silver was put 'on hold' for some time. Reportedly, some of Google's employees have also expressed "serious doubts" whether the company should go ahead with the Android Silver project.

The Information, citing people familiar with the project's status, reports that the Android Silver has been 'stalled' after the exit of Google Business Chief, Nikesh Arora.

In July, Nikesh Arora, who was with Google nearly for a decade, moved to Japan's SoftBank as Vice Chairman.

Significantly, Arora as sales chief oversaw the company's relationship with wireless carriers and phone makers. The Verge (via Information) further noted that Google's partners (carriers, manufacturers, and retailers) had a "mixed reaction" for the Android Silver program. Since Arora's exit, Google intensified its effort to boost the new Android Silver project, adds the report.

The report somehow points that the rising situation is making the release of Android Silver project uncertain.

The rumours surrounding the project Android Silver suggested that it's a programme that would give certain Android devices a special "silver" status which would involve giving them additional promotion and various points of sale, as well as access to a special after sales support channel. Reports hinted that the Android Silver devices would run stock Android with minimal to no customisation, and manufacturers would have to agree to several other conditions.

Some of the reports described Android Silver as an expanded line-up of devices much like the current Google-sponsored Nexus series, with a focus on promoting less-popular manufacturers who do not use elaborate customised Android UI skins.

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Further reading: Android, Android Silver, Google, Google Nexus, Mobiles, Nexus Smartphones

Ketan Pratap

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Ketan Pratap is the editor at Gadgets 360 - with over 12 years of experience covering the technology domain. With a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, he's done extensive work across news, features, reviews, and opinion pieces. But what's truly inspiring about Ketan is how he spends his free time. He's often found gazing at snow-capped mountains from over 20,000 feet while sitting on the hood of his car, taking in the breathtaking beauty of nature. His passion for the great ...More