Google’s rumoured Android Silver program might be dead in the water

Android Silver, the rumoured software standard and certification process Google hoped would replace its Nexus program, might not come to fruition. The Information is reporting that the unannounced program is currently “on hold,” with several Google employees expressing doubts that the Android Silver will see the light of day.

Google’s intention with Android Silver was to partner with OEMs to offer a slew of high-end Android devices with a unified hardware and software design, extending beyond the yearly ‘stock’ Nexus offering and into a broader portfolio of integrated handsets.

However, the departure of Nikesh Arora, who was responsible for Google’s mobile business relationships, in July to SoftBank has apparently killed the program’s momentum. It can also be safely assumed that most OEMs were not happy in the first place to have Google pushing a line of devices that would neuter their capacity to differentiate in an already overcrowded Android market.

But while Google’s Silver future may not be imminent, the company can take solace in the support of its Android One program, which already has 10 handset manufacturers signed on.

[source]The Information[/source][via]The Verge[/via]