Google looking to Nexus 7 for smartphone inspiration

Google's Nexus 7 tablet has been a huge success, and it's one of the most popular Android tablets out on the market currently. It's been sold out in the Google Play store multiple times, so it's definitely seen its fair share of demand. It may not be too much of a surprise then that Google is looking to model their upcoming Nexus smartphone after the Nexus 7.

Unnamed sources have said that Google is working with a handful of manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, Sony, and LG to launch a smartphone based on the Nexus 7 tablet sometime in the future. It's said that Google is giving these manufacturers free reign to implement the design and hardware specifications for this rumored Nexus 7-based smartphone as long as they "are based on its latest native Android system."

We're not exactly sure when we would see one of these smartphones, but it probably won't be anytime soon, since none of the manufacturers have even begun the designs stages from the looks of things. However, it's possible we could see the Nexus 7-esque smartphone next year around this time.

Currently, a lot of rumors are flying as to what will be the next Nexus device to release soon. It's said that we'll see a new Nexus smartphone next month, and LG is rumored to be the manufacturer to deliver it — dubbed the Optimus Nexus. However, Google seems to always delivers solid hardware, so no matter what the next Nexus device will be, you'll be sure that it's going to be a powerhouse of a phone.