3 Signs Nexus 6, 8 Release Date Nears: Leaked Pics, KitKat Factory Image & Android L Details Emerge

Rumours have it that Google will hold an event on October 16, which will likely reveal Android L or 5.0 in its full glory then pave the way for the twin Nexus 6 and 8 release date over the next few weeks.

Seemingly supporting Google's imminent plan of wholesale revelation for its three major products are indicators that have surfaced recently and three of which are briefly detailed below:

Release of Nexus 6 mock ups and images are heating up

Starting in the last week of September, a supposed mock-up of the Nexus 6 hit the Web and the device in subject only fortified the earlier reports that Google has supersized the Nexus 5 successor and bumped off LG in favour of Motorola as the manufacturer.

Accompanying the report by 9to5Google are the jumbo specs and features of the Motorola handset nicknamed as Shamu, headlined by:

- A 5.92-inch screen profile. It is said that the near 6-inch front display was deliberately used to suit with the name Nexus 6.

- A Quad HD display panel technology that is responsible for an impressive screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 with pixel density of 498ppi.

- A quad core Snapdragon 805 chip from Qualcomm.

- A smartphone camera mix of 13MP on main and 2MP on the secondary with the rear shooter equipped with optical image stabilisation.

- Basic 32GB of on-board memory.

- And a battery kit that boasts of 3200mAh rating.

This week, this 9to5Google scoop was afforded some form of backings, one of which is courtesy of Android Police. The publication took note of a new picture that showed off what appeared as a fully operational giant mobile phone. The same phablet that was made public is said to be the Nexus 6.

KitKat 4.4.4 factory image for 2013 Nexus 7 LTE is out

Also in the current week, Google made available the latest KitKat factory image for the 2013 Nexus 7 with LTE network access, according to a separate report by 9to5Google. While the software is purely meant to provide a backup for Nexus 7 owners who may feel the need to restore their tabs to factory status sometime in the future, this latest Google move also means one thing to Nexus fans.

That the Internet search giant is transitioning from KitKat to the next Android edition, which could also mean that the slate replacing the Nexus 7 is nearing its debut. In fact, the latest buzz on the tablet strongly suggests that Google will also unveil the flagship device alongside the Android L.

It is suggested as well that Google will sell the Nexus 8 with this official branding - the HTC Nexus 9. The shift from 8 to 9 is due to the device's near 9-inch, 8.9-inch actually, screen profile.

Android L approaches the release build stage

In a new report, Phone Arena is claiming that Android L, also known at this point as Lion, Lemon Meringue Pie and 5.0, is nearing completion - at least coming close to the first build that Google would allow the mobile operating system to hit the public.

Highlighted in the blog report is the central role that Material Design will play on Android L. Thanks to the design principle, Google's KitKat successor will be more visually stunning and engaging. Among the tweaks to be expected are the redesigned navigational buttons and application icons, Phone Arena said.

So as Android L is now on a more polished state, it should be safe to assume that the Nexus 6 and Nexus 8 or HTC Nexus 9 arrival is sooner than expected with some reports indicating that both devices will be in a simultaneous release date, likely billed as a Halloween 2014 treat from Google.