Nexus 5 Release Date Delayed To November 1: Is Government Shutdown Causing FCC Certification Backlog? [REPORT]
October 31 Launch Alongside Nexus 10 2 And Google Gem Smartwatch More Likely Nowments
The Nexus 5 release date delay has occurred, the device was largely anticipated to be available to consumers by October 15, particularly given thenumerous and thorough leaks it has been subject to. Now the latest rumors suggest that the Nexus 5 release date may be delayed till November 1 and the government shutdown may be at fault for causing it. The government shutdown has resulted in a backlog and slowdown of the FCC certification process. As aresult devices like the Nexus 5 and soon to be released devices from Apple, HTC, LG and others are expected to be pushed back by weeks.
The Nexus 5 release date delay does seemingly confirm rumors from Artem Russavoski on Android Police. Artem said that the majority of media was mistaking the Nexus 5 "Technical Acceptance" date of October 14 with the actual Nexus 5 release date of October 31. Artem followed this up with another rumor posted on Google+ where he stated, "I'm starting to think Google will release an SDK preview ahead of the sources or any Nexuses and final KitKat features. Maybe this is what the rumors around the developer circles have been about regarding October 15th..." The October 31 release date is now gaining credence among tech reporters who state, "The only other specific date that's been going around is October 31," says AndroidandMe's Dustin Earley, "but we've yet to hear anything solid on that date." Seth Weintraub over at 9to5Google mentions the same date in a rumor about a supposed Google smartwatch."
The Nexus 5 release date delay may correspond to the desire of Google to release the device with several other products like the Nexus 10 2 refresh, Android 4.4 KitKat naturally, the Google Nexus Gem smartwatch and Android TV. The Google Nexus Gem smartwatch as the cause of the Nexus 5 being pushed back is distinct possibility. Kellen Barranger the founder of Droid Lifesuggested that Google may be planning to release other Nexus devices like Nexus Leep and the Nexus Shining. Artem suggests that the Nexus Shining could be a Nexus branded lightswitch (yes Android powered lights switchesexist, we're as surprised as you are) while "Sauron" and "Molly" could be the Nexus 10 2 and Google Gem smartwatch. The name "Sauron" for a Nexus device sounds awesome, so we can only speculate that it will bring about the doom of Middle Earth. At this point most people have given up hope about the Nexus 5 release date being today, "As for when we might get to see the real Nexus 5 (or whatever it'll be called), there had been some rumors of an unveiling happening yesterday or today, but it's looking like that's not going to happen."
The Nexus 5 release date delay could be impacted by the government shutdown, though the last rumors we heard suggested that the device hadalready been certified. On the other hand the FCC clears 16,000 electronic devices annually; with the government shutdown in effect the FCC is not clearing anything because 98 percent of its staff has been furloughed. The list of manufactures affected by the government shutdown include not just Google, but also Apple, Samsung, HTC and LG. This means that, "Increasingly it's going to have an impact on the widely known and available consumer products, depending on how long the shutdown lasts." Google, Motorola, Huawei and Apple all declined to comment about the impact of the shutdown on their operations. Sony, ZTE and Lenovo all stated that they had suffered no ill effects or impact on their operations from the U.S. government shutdown.
Meanwhile the Nexus 5 release date may be delayed or pushed back till October 31 or November 1, but the pace of the leaks haven't ceased. Most recently complete hands on video came out to users who got to see how the Nexus 5 looks and feels and now new pictures of the Nexus 5 from Russia byAnton Kuznetsov. The version he has gotten his hands on appears to be the final non-prototype build of the Nexus 5. For instance it has vertical Nexus 5 logo on the back along with the correct icons for Android 4.4 KitKat without the old Key Lime Pie icon.
Aside from the new Nexus 5 release date news, we know pretty much everything else about the upcoming Google device. We have a fairly good idea of the Nexus 5 specs. The LG built device specs will have a 4.95-inch full HD display, a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 chipset, 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, a 2,300 mAh battery with a possible 3,000mAh battery for the 32GB version, NFC and Android 4.4 KitKat, LTE capabilities and wireless charging. There are expected to be both a 16GB and 32GB version with possible differences in battery size in addition to internal memory. The Nexus 5 price is anticipated to be half of the iPhone 5s costing $299 for the 16GB version and $399 for the 32GB version, at least if purchased on the Google Play Store. Other retailers like Redstar are currently offering the Nexus 5 for pre-order for higher prices.
Generally when new phones are released, particularly Nexus devices they will be posted to the Google Play Store by 9PM PST. That time has passed and there is no indication that the Nexus 5 is coming today, so October 31 and November 1 are now are new best estimates for the Nexus 5 release date. One other possibility that we suspect is that Google might launch the Nexus 5 shortly before or shortly after Apple's October 21 event where they are expected to announce the new iPad along with other devices. During the Nexus 7 (2013) and the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean launch, Google announced its new device just one day after Verizon held an event introducing the new Droid line, effectively knocking it out of the news cycle. This could be Google's plan with Apple for the Nexus 5.
