Google announces Nexus 6, Nexus 9 and Android 5.0 'Lollipop' rollout plans

Nice new devices, but nothing smartphone-sized from the Nexus series

Google last night announced the impending release of new devices, featuring a new small tablet, a "phablet" and a streaming media player. The new devices will run the Android 5.0 operating system, which up until yesterday was known as "Android L", but has now been rechristened "Lollipop".

Following Google's screen size-based logic, the Google Nexus 6 has a 6-inch screen, and is being made by Motorola Mobility, who Google acquired back in 2011.

The Nexus 9 sports an 8.9-inch screen, putting it somewhere between the iPad Mini and iPad in terms of dimensions. It's being made by HTC, and means Google has finally introduced an "in-house" device that can be considered a full-size tablet, something Computing has identified as a gap in the Android market for a long time now.

Finally, Google revealed that Asus - which has previously worked on the Nexus 7 range - has produced the Nexus Player. A streaming TV device (in the style of set-top box), it will run Google's Android TV service. It will include compatibility with remote control devices, and also a bespoke games controller.

UK prices for the devices have not yet been revealed, but the Nexus 6 will probably be pricier than previous Nexus devices. While the Nexus 4 launched at £240 in the UK for a basic 8GB model, the Nexus 6's bottom rung 32GB model is priced at $649 (£400), or $699 for 64GB.

The Nexus 9 is more in line with previous pricing, and will retail for $399 (around £250) for the 16GB model, $479 (£300) for 32GB and a reasonable $599 (£375) for 4G communications and 32GB.

Android L "Lollipop" - which Google says it is building for any size device, including wearables - will feature the company's new "material design" ethic, which it says is based on a pen and ink philosophy. Drawing more on Google Now's tile designs and making a heavy play of elements such as shadows, it seems to be consciously drawing away from Apple's iOS 8, and that system's more two-dimensional design fundamentals.

As well as the new devices, Android L has been announced for the Nexus 5, 7 and 10 as well as Google Play Edition models of other branded phones. What remains to be seen is which models of Nexus 7 will be included, and why there has so far been no mention of the venerable Nexus 4.

Rollouts on various formats are due in the coming weeks.