News about the Nexus 8 started surfacing recently. Despite the success of the first- and second-generation batches of Nexus 7, it appears Google will be halting the program in favour of the 8-inch tablet. According to reports, the tech giant wants to branch out to the 8-inch market where there are fewer competitors. In favour of the Nexus 8 production, recent information suggests Google wants Asus to kill its Transformer Book line to concentrate on the slate production. How true is it?

Back at CES 2014, Asus introduced a new hybrid device. This is not the usual hybrid featuring a laptop that can function as a tablet as well. The Asus Transformer Book Duet offers a different kind of computing experience. The conflict with the Transformer Book Duet is that it runs on both Android and Microsoft. Google and Microsoft are rivals.

It appears none of the two companies appear pleased to be running side by side. Likewise, there are reports saying that Google may be pressuring Asus to stop launching the device. The company will prefer it if Asus concentrated on producing devices running solely on Android.

This may include the Nexus 8. Because Asus developed the two Nexus 7s, it seems a logical decision for Google to get the same manufacturer. Asus has proven itself a reliable and excellent manufacturer of slates for Google. The two Nexus devices under its name were well received.

Asus did not comment on the matter. Nonetheless, Android Geeks reported that it has a Google insider claiming that the Nexus 8 running on Android 4.5 will be launched around July. The new Android operating system will not show up during the developer conference the company will be hosting on June 25 to 26, the insider adds.

Nonetheless, despite both companies declining to comment on the matter, it will not be the first time Google has strong-armed a company about its products. It was reported previously that the company was able to get Samsung to refrain from tweaking its Android operating systems as much. Google appears more intent on creating a more robust and consistent ecosystem. Fragmentation issues have plagued the company.