Sony and LG have become the latest companies to launch Google Play Edition devices, swapping the customised operating system of the G Pad 8.3 and Xperia Z Ultra for stock Android.
As we predicted yesterday, the G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition (GPe) has the same Snapdragon 600 processor, 2GB of RAM and 8.3in, Full HD display as the original device. It's the first Google Play Edition tablet, and should provide a stopgap for anyone looking for a larger screen than the Nexus 7 but want more power than the ageing Nexus 10.
The Sony Z Ultra GPe, meanwhile, has a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage expandable via micro-SD card, along with a 6.4in, 1,920x1,080 Full HD display. It's the first GPe phablet, being an odd middle ground between smartphone and tablet.
Both GPe devices remove the customisations added by their respective manufacturers to Google's Android operating system in favour of a completely stock software install. As a result, they are able to use the very latest Android releases - which is why both devices launch with the newest Android 4.4 KitKat update.
These new devices follow the launch of the HTC One Google Play Edition and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition.
Sadly, the new devices are currently only available in the US Google Play Store. The Sony Z Ultra costs $649 (around £395 excluding taxes) and the LG G Pad 8.3 GPe costs $349 (roughly £250). There's currently no word as to when, or if, the handset will be available internationally.
Andoid Games
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