Nexus explained

How many of you have herd of Google's own Nexus line of devices? They are beginning to be huge in the android community, but have some common misconceptions. First, let's look into the history of Nexus.

Nexus Devices

First exhibit: the Google Nexus One. Google teams up with an Android manufacturer to make a completely stock experience, and for the One, they chose HTC. It was originally intended as a developer device, as something that would be used primarily by developers, as a kind of standard to develop for.

The next room is labeled "Samsung", and is the largest in this Nexus museum. The first device in here is the Nexus S. It really pushed boundaries when it came out, and it arguably started Android's quest for giant screens. It was only 4", but in it's day it was a behemoth. The Nexus S has stopped getting updates (officially), and is currently on Ice Cream Sandwich

The Nexus S is followed by the Galaxy Nexus, which was the phone that started 720p resolution as a standard. The "GNex" is still currently getting all the new Jelly Bean (4.2) updates.

Nexus 4 is the first Nexus to be extremely popular among average consumers. It is leading the android pack in terms of processor speed, design, screen, and cost. It is just $300!

This year, we also got 2 Nexus tablets, the Nexus 7 (7", built by Asus) and the Nexus 10 (10", built by Samsung). The Nexus 7 is hugely popular, especially thanks to it's rock-bottom $200 price, Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and size. It's still too early to tell how popular the Nexus 10 is; all we know is that it's been out of stock on the Play Store since launch.

How are Nexuses different?

A device with the "Nexus" name has been designed in collaboration with Google, and will run the 'stock android' user interface. That means that you won't get any carrier-made bloatware, but you also won't get OEM tweaks (whether good or bad)...but every coin has 2 sides. Because Nexuses run stock android, when a new update is released, BAM - the Nexus gets it right away while OEMs take their time designing their UI to look or feel more like the new update. Also, generally Nexus devices cost less (the Nexus 4 costs $350 compared to other top-notch devices costing $500+, The Nexus 7 is $200 which is a much better bang for your buck than any other tablet. Even the Nexus 10 starts at $400 which is $100 cheaper than the iPad 3 and comparable android tablets).

Find me on Twitter, and you can personally ask me questions about the tablet line. You can find me @QandAndroid.

Alternatively, post a question in the subreddit /r/PickAnAndroidForMe, or email me directly at QandAndroid@gmail.com.