Unnamed sources from the upstream supply chain report that Google will likely enter the 8-inch tablet market in mid-2014. That's around the same time frame Google unleashed the second generation Nexus 7 tablet last year: July 2013.
Does that mean Google won't produce a third generation Nexus 7? Sources claim that the current model has experienced less of a demand compared to the first-generation model, which saw the better half of six million units sold. That low demand is partially due to the actual price tag, which is more than a number of other 7-inch models on the market.
As it stands now, the Nexus 8 may use Intel's Bay Trail-T platform, although Qualcomm is said to be fighting to be the SoC provider. Sources also said that Asus will likely be the R&D partner for this project mostly because the company already has a working relationship with Google. Additional details are expected to be revealed sometime after MWC 2014 next month.
Google "accidentally" revealed its 8-inch tablet back in November. When scrolling halfway down the Apps and Entertainment page, visitors can see a woman smiling down at a tablet in her hands. This device does not appear to be the most recent Nexus 7 tablet nor the Samsung Nexus 10 tablet, but an unannounced device in-between those sizes sporting Android 4.4 "KitKat."
Given that Google has a 7-inch and 10-inch tablet, why bother with an 8-inch model? Because the device would compete directly with Apple's iPad mini and Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 tablet. And given that the Nexus 10 has a starting price of $399, the 8-inch model could possibly undercut both competing tablets in price.