As a possible launch date for the 2016 Google Nexus devices draws near, the rumors continue to pile up with what we can expect.

Rumors about the codenamed Sailfish and Marlin devices include HTC Corp. as manufacturers, minimal branding, and a new electric blue color option. The smaller Sailfish is rumored to have a 5-inch 1080p AMOLED display and a 2,770 mAh battery. The Marlin will come with a 5.5-inch 2560 ×1440 AMOLED display and a 3,450 mAH battery.

Both devices will have a rumored 4GB of RAM, an option between 32GB or 128GB of storage, and the latest Qualcomm processor, but no SD card slot. They will have a 12MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera, a fingerprint scanner and USB Type-C port, but will keep the headphone jack.  

We look at the latest rumors making the rounds about the Nexus devices, including a possible October launch date, a new Google home screen – the Nexus Launcher, carrier-branded Nexuses, and more.

Launch date

Google launched the Nexus 6P and 5X in September 2015, so if a similar launch schedule is followed for the Nexus ‘Marlin’ and ‘Sailfish’ devices we could see the new devices launch next month.

However, other launch date rumors have the new devices being unveiled as early as this month, alternatively other rumors suggest we will have to wait until October 4 for the new devices, according to DroidLife. LG Electronics Inc. has also stated that its LG V20 due to be launched next month will be the first phone to have Android 7.0 Nougat “out of the box”. Therefore an October launch for the Google Nexus devices is looking more likely.

Nexus Launcher

A new Google home screen is rumored for the new Nexus devices called the Nexus Launcher. The two layout changes for the launcher include the replacement of the app drawer button with a small up arrow. To access the app drawer on the Nexus Launcher users will swipe up on the arrow. The bottom row of icons remains static on every home screen, but the replacement of the app drawer button frees up space for another app icon.

Example of the Nexus Launcher, via Android Police.

The other layout change for the Nexus Launcher is the Google Search bar has been replaced with a ‘G’ tab. The new tab is only displayed on the left of the main home screen, unlike the Search bar which was displayed across all home screens. Access Google Now by swiping left on the screen (this feature can be disabled) or open up Search by tapping the ‘G’ tab. The removal of the Search bar also frees up space for a static calendar widget.

Android Police expects the new launcher will contain more Google Assistant functionality that is expected on the 2016 Nexus phones.

Various wallpaper options

Wallpaper options include various options from 500px, and possible live wallpapers called ‘Live Earth’ and ‘Live Data’. There is also an option to subscribe to a specific wallpaper category, which will automatically change your wallpaper on a daily basis.  

Swipe for notifications

Google are also due to introduce a new gesture for accessing notifications on the Nexus devices, according to Android Police. Swiping down on the fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device will open the notification tray. Whether the Nexus 5X and 6P (main image), which also have fingerprint scanners, will also get the new feature is unknown at this stage.

Carrier-branded Nexus devices

According to various sources, including renowned technology leaker Evan Blass, Google are planning carrier-branded Nexus devices. Both Blass and other sources state there will be a Verizon version.

Verizon is going to carry the two “Nexus” handsets (note the quotation marks).

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 5, 2016

A carrier-branded Nexus is likely to come with a variety of bloatware, while updates are usually delayed on carrier-branded devices.

Source: Ars Technica

Image via: Google