Google confirms Android event for October 29

Google has confirmed that it will be holding an event on October 29, and all sources point to launch of its next-generation Nexus handsets and Android 4.2. 

In the wake of Microsoft’s big Windows 8/Windows Phone 8 reveal and the iPad Mini, Google clearly intends to hit back with the introduction of Android 4.2 alongside a range of shiny new Nexus handsets. 

The emphasis of the invitation is clearly focussed on Android, saying: ‘Join us for an Android event.’ Although it is possible that the search-giant could debut its new Google TV service – perhaps it might even take the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone? 

We’ve heard much about LG and Sony working on Nexus-brand handsets during the past couple of weeks. HTC and Samsung have also been linked with Google’s smartphone aspirations of late as well, meaning this could be the company's biggest launch to date. 

We’re referring to the idea of multiple Nexus handsets as Google's ‘Nexus Project,’ and while nothing has been confirmed regarding it, reports of the search-giant releasing a handful of Nexus-brand slates has been on the cards for quite some time now. 

We’ve discussed this idea at length in one of our Mobile Talk episodes. The crux of the argument, however, is as follows: the only way Google will ever be able to match Apple and Microsoft’s ecosystem is to gain more control over its own. And the only way to do that is with timely Nexus-style updates.  

Getting more and more people using Nexus handsets isn’t the only way of doing this, we admit, but it is definitely a start. And we’ve yet to see any real developments inside the Android Open Source Project as yet, and that’s been running for a good couple of years now.

The big reveal happens on October 29 live from the US. As usual we'll be covering everything as it happens.