An HTC "Flounder" slate rumored to launch as the next Google Nexus tablet has received Wi-Fi certification, suggesting an imminent debut.
Rumors of a Nexus 8 or Nexus 9 tablet have been making rounds for quite some time, and the most recent reports claimed that this tablet will come from HTC. The slate has leaked on several occasions and is associated with the codenames "Flounder" and "Volantis," and is believed to launch soon.
News has now surfaced that an HTC "Flounder" tablet has received Wi-Fi certification, which means that it shouldn't be too long until it's ready to hit the market. The documents from Wi-Fi Alliance (PDF) date back to Aug. 15, but for some reason they went unnoticed until now, when Droid-Life uncovered them.
The Wi-Fi certificate lists a tablet made by HTC Corporation, running "aosp" Android L. The firmware version references "Flounder," which leads us to believe that this listing is for the much-rumored Nexus 9 tablet.
The listing doesn't reveal much else, but it does note three model numbers for the device: 0P8210000, 0P8220000, and 0P8230000. The slightly different model numbers could be for multiple colors and/or multiple storage configurations.
Based on leaks and rumors so far, the HTC Nexus 9 "Flounder" or "Volantis" is will pack some top-notch specs on board, such as an NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, a hefty 4GB of RAM, an 8.9-inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1440 and a pixel density of 281 ppi, a premium Sony sensor for its rear camera, and more. The tablet should come in 16GB and 32GB internal storage configurations and feature LTE support.
Some rumors also hinted that the next Nexus device may come with a premium price tag to go along with its premium specs, but it all remains unconfirmed at this point. So far, Google's Nexus devices has enjoyed great success because they offered good specifications at a decent price point, while also delivering the much-touted Nexus experience that guarantees timely updates as soon as a new version of Android is ready for prime time.
With nothing official for now, however, it is highly advisable to take everything with a grain of salt. The Wi-Fi certification suggests that the device is ready to make its debut shortly, and we'll keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available.
