LG Optimus Nexus? LG Lobbying Google For Nexus Contract
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LG is lobbying to be the smartphone maker responsible for the next Nexus iteration. The coveted title would give LG some extra hands-on time with the next version of Google Android.


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Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus: The latest in a line of Nexus smartphones

The head of LG’s smartphone division, Ramchan Woo, spoke to CNET at the World Mobile Congress in Spain.

“We’re heavily in discussions,” said Woo. “We’re working on it.”

New versions of Android make their debut on Nexus smartphones and always carry the latest Android software. Unlike other brands which differentiate their version of Android with custom ROMs and are riddled by carrier tweaks, the Nexus brand advocates an original, unadulterated version of Android.

As Google don’t manufacture mobile hardware, they contract the work to manufacturers. HTC scored the original contract creating the Nexus One, while Samsung worked on the Nexus and Motorola penned the first Google tablet, the Xoom.

Samsung has had the most success thus far, following up the Nexus with their hot Galaxy Nexus, and with the phone’s success LG will have to work hard to warrant a break in Samsung and Google’s relationship.

Read: Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus Is A Nail In The iPhone’s Coffin

 

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LG’s Optimus 4X HD
Their efforts would be rewarded as LG and Google would be working closely to produce a next-gen smartphone running a version of Google unavailable to other manufacturers, empowering them with valuable know-how when it comes time to preparing their own device.

The relationship has paid dividends for Samsung who worked on Gingerbread on the Galaxy Nexus. Although LG were the first to release a dual-core smartphone, it was held back by its 2.2 OS. By comparison, Samsung released the Galaxy SII with the then latest 2.3 and has since dominated the smartphone market.

There’s no doubt LG is making serious plays in the smartphone (and TV) markets, recently announcing the first smartphone to be powered by NVIDIA’s quad core Tegra 3 processor, and showcasing a whole new line of smartphones. The company is desperately trying to be synonoymous with the latest LTE 4G technology (currently dominated by HTC in Australia), adopting the slogan “LTE, it’s always LG.”

With unbridled enthusiasm, the question isn’t “does LG have what it takes to produce good smartphones?” But rather “Is Samsung’s lead too great?”