Nexus 8 Tablet Release Date: Specs Of Rumored Android Tablet Incl. 8-inch Display; Initial Shipment Of Upcoming Device Will Be 2 Million Units Says Supplier, Avail. Apr. 2014

Nexus 8 tablet release date: Specs of the Android-powered tablet includes an 8-inch display and will possibly be available around April of this year, the DigiTimes reported.

Google is producing the Nexus 8 to avoid competition with the 7-inch segment of devices. There could be two million units for the initial shipment of the tablet, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

According to sources of DigiTimes, Google cooperated with Asustek Computer to develop 7-inch tablets which launched under a co-brand arrangement in June 2012 and July 2013. The tech focus site noted that sales performance of the second-generation Nexus 7 have been short of expectations because of price competitions. Cumulative sales of the device have been fewer than three million units at the end of 2013.

Though there are no leaks or confirmations on whether Google and Asustek will cooperate for the new tablet, sources of the tech site says that the co-brand agreement is very likely.

TheStreet reported that previously, rumors of a Nexus 8 tablet device had mentioned LG as the possible manufacturing partner. The site said that a Nexus tablet with an 8-inch screen will also be more competitive than similarly sized tablets from Apple, Microsoft and others.

Shares of Google rose 0.6% to $1,167.41 soon after markets opened Friday, TheStreet noted.

Rumors of a Nexus 8 device started when Google showed a Nexus tablet on the Android site with a slightly larger screen. Up to this day, there are no leaks of any images or even reports of an FCC filing for a new tablet.