Disclaimer: Article Edited on October 9 at 11am. This article is based on a recent rumor reported by the website Android and Me. While we do not have personal verification of anything that Android and Me posted, Android and Me is a highly respected source for Android news, and was certain enough in the information, that they received from their sources, that they printed the article which was duped by a someone prenteding to be in the know. It is unfortunate that much of the information provide in the original article was not properly verified or vetted by Android and Me.

As I stated above we did not have the ability to verify the information and relied on Android and Me's reputation as a credible source of news. For this reason, I added this disclaimer to this article to ensure that readers knew that, like many other reputable Android news websites we were reporting on "facts" which were included in Android and Me's original story. While the original article was based on a rumor, I believe that there were parts of the story which coincided with other information and speculation which had been in the Android ecosystem for months.

According to a recent report on the website Android and Me, Google is going to host an event with LG in November to announce an LG developed Nexus (a variant of the Optimus G) and Android 4.2. Supposedly, Android 4.2 will be a small update which will address power management, include some small UI changes, a new version of the Google Play Store and lay the ground work for Android 5.0.

The site goes further and talks about significant changes to the Google Nexus Program. Depending on the individual Android enthusiast, some are going to love the new Nexus program and Android purists are probably going to hate or at the very least have serious questions about implementation.

Currently, the Nexus program includes one Nexus device, released to coincide with an upgrade to the Android OS, made by a manufacturer chosen by Google. The device is able to be unlocked and has the latest AOSP version OS running on the smartphone. The Nexus devices should be the first to receive updates when a new version of Android OS comes out as long as the hardware can handle the new OS.

While the rumor regarding OEM skins, which was reported by Android and Me, was fake, it does raise an interesting question - should Google allow manufacturers to offer the abilty to theme a Nexus using skins. Could this endevour offer the best of both worlds for a wide range of Android enthuiest? Is giving Android enthuiests a choice between stock OS and themed OS really a bad idea? Personally, I would like to have a choice and have the ability to switch between stock OS and HTC Sense or another OEM skin at my discretion. Maybe Google will look at incorporating this feature into a future build of the OS.

Android and Me’s sources are stating that Google is looking to change that system. According to the rumor, any manufacturer will be able to release a Nexus branded Android smartphone as long as that device adheres to requirements set forth by Google. The manufacturer must use the stock AOSP OS but would be allowed to offer custom UI themes or skins through a “customization center”. So, in theory, HTC could make a Nexus device and the owner would be able to use stock AOSP, HTC Sense, or switch between the two at random. I find this feature intriguing as I would personally like to go back and forth between AOSP and Sense depending on my mood. I used to switch pretty frequently between AOSP and Sense ROMs on my HTC Thunderbolt. I am not sure how this would impact stock apps, as I am not huge fan of the stock AOSP email, calendar and camera apps and prefer the Sense versions of those apps. Maybe manufacturers can release their versions of the apps via the Google Play store allowing owners to have the option should they choose to download them.

The rumor goes further and states that Google will require 64MB of secure memory for media streaming and the device must meet the hardware requirements set forth by Google.

What has really piqued my interest in the next Nexus is the continuing rumors that there will be more than one device. I believe this is the best direction for Google moving forward. One of the greatest selling points for Android is choice. Unlike the iPhone, Android enthusiasts have varied options when choosing an Android Smartphone. It would be nice to choose my next Nexus device based on hardware options and/or past history with the manufacturer. What maybe a necessary hardware option for me may not be as much of priority for someone else. So by giving multiple choices, there should, in theory be something for everyone.

The first concept device which comes to mind and would interest me is a Motorola Nexus RAZR. Motorola has always been known for its quality hardware and every Motorola device I have ever owned has provided a positive user experience. While Motorola is has not been one of the top manufacturers named in rumors on this subject, I am holding out hope that they will produce a Nexus

Google must ensure that the custom skins developed by the manufacturer do not hinder the release of AOSP. AOSP must be released in a timely basis and skins or themes should not hold up the release. If a manufacturer cannot get its stuff together on the custom skin, that should not impact the release of the AOSP update. The theme or skin should be treated as a secondary function.

What are your thoughts? Is the new (rumored) Nexus direction one worth going, or is Google opening up the floodgates for OEMs to destroy the Nexus program?