Google steals Apple's thunder with Nexus 9, Nexus 6

Nexus family

Google has strategically launched its new range of Nexus devices 24 hours ahead of an Apple event reportedly dedicated to the next generation iPad Air.

The new devices include the Nexus 6 smartphone and the Nexus 9 tablet, both of which will be the first devices to run the upcoming Lollipop version of Android.

Google commissioned HTC to manufacture the Nexus 9 tablet. The 8.9in tablet is the first device from Google to have a 64-bit processor — similar to that of Apple’s current iPad Air.

The Nexus 9 has an 8.8in, 2048x1536 resolution display, is a thin 8mm, has an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, a rear 8MP camera, 16 or 32GB of internal storage and be available as a Wi-Fi only or 4G compatible tablet.

Unveiling the tablet 24 hours ahead of Apple’s event is a strategic move by Google. Chiming on Apple’s launch day will force comparisons to be drawn between a new iPad and Google’s Nexus 9.

Google subsidiary Motorola manufactures the Nexus 6. The 6in smartphone is the first ‘phablet’ to carry the Nexus branding. The smartphone will compete against Apple’s first phablet, the iPhone 6 Plus, along with Samsung’s upcoming range of Galaxy Note devices.

The Nexus 6 has a 6in, 2560x1440 resolution screen, a next-gen 2.7GHz quad-core CPU, a 13 megapixel rear camera capable of UHD recording, a fast charge battery and a ring flash.

Google also announced the Nexus Player, the first device to run Android TV.

Pre-orders for the Nexus 9 will open first on 17 October, with the tablet available on Google Play on 3 November. The Nexus 6 will follow with pre-orders opening in “late October” and sales commencing in November.

Existing Nexus devices, including the Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10 are scheduled to receive the update to Android Lollipop ‘in the coming weeks’.

Nexus 9 key specifications:

• 8.9in, 2048x1536 resolution display, 288 pixels-per-inch
• Android 5.0
• 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor
• 192-core Kepler GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB/32GB internal storage
• 8MP Rear camera
• 1.6MP Front camera
• 6700 mAh
• 4G or Wi-Fiac only

Nexus 6 key specifications:

• 6in, 2560x1440 resolultion display, 493 pixels-per-inch
• Android 5.0
• Quad core Krait 450 CPU 2.7GHz (Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SOC)
• Adreno 420 GPU
• RAM TBA
• 32GB and 64GB
• 13MP with optical image stabilisation
• 2MP front camera
• 4G Internet
• 3220mAh