HTC will make two Google Nexus devices for 2016. Thought to both be smartphones, we're hoping to catch sight of them at Google I/O next month, with a release date in the second half of the year.
The rumors say the devices are codenamed M1 and S1, or Marlin and Sailfish. Speculation also says there'll be some sort of VR focus to the devices. But if you were expecting blurry spy shots, you'll be disappointed. Both companies are keeping things close to their chests.
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers read the rumor runes. Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.
What’s the craic? Evan "@evleaks" Blass blabs:
HTC is building a pair of Android N devices for Google internally dubbed M1 and S1 #nexus
That's an explosive revelation to hear for this early in the cycle. Daniel van Boom detonates his MPV—HTC said to be crafting two Nexus phones for 2016:
In 2015, we were treated to...Nexus devices [from] LG...and Huawei. Rumours [say] this time both [will be] made by HTC. [Blass's] claim further substantiates those made by an analyst...who in January claimed [on] Weibo that HTC would make two Nexus phones in 2016.
But M1 and S1 are pretty boring codenames. David Ruddock triangulates the rumor—We Think They're Codenamed Marlin And Sailfish:
We can corroborate that this story is likely accurate. ... The codenames Google [has] for the devices: Marlin and Sailfish.
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Our direct evidence...is not something we feel comfortable sharing [but] we trust the source. [And] we do have one reference to Marlin in the AOSP Gerrit...on March 30th [from] a senior Qualcomm engineer. ... We have not yet seen a reference to Sailfish.
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We rate this rumor an 8 out of 10 confidence. ... As with all rumors, nothing is 100%.
So we should expect a great camera, right? After all, the HTC 10 got a great DxO score. Vlad Savov impales that theory: [You're fired -Ed.]
A great HTC camera is about as likely as Zinedine Zidane growing a full head of hair. ... HTC has defined mediocre imaging for years.
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It takes years of development...and massive investment. ... HTC right now...doesn’t even have the budget to hold launch events.
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The DxO benchmark...doesn’t reflect the experience of using the device. ... If you buy an HTC 10 and [get] pink photos of red strawberries...those DxO numbers won’t matter.
What else is happening? JC Torres checks the calendar—Nexus...with Snapdragon 820 seen at Geekbench:
Google I/O is happening next month. Android N will be released next quarter. [So] it's time for...another Nexus smartphone.
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An entry at the Geekbench site reveals a "Google Nexus" [with] a Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM. ... The motherboard...is named as "marlin."
Yes, but when is the release date? It's beyond our Ken Salcedo—Google Reportedly Working On New Nexus Devices:
The timing for Google's partnership with HTC is really smart. [HTC] just released the Vive VR headset [and the] HTC 10 smartphone is expected to be available...in May.
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Google may give out more details...during its upcoming I/O conference. ... It plans to release Android N this summer. [The] Nexus 6P and...5X were both made available in the fall...so it's possible that the new...devices will be released around the same time.
You have been reading IT Blogwatch by Richi Jennings, who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don’t have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @RiCHi or itbw@richi.uk. 
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