Google has sent out invitations for an Android event in New York City on October 29, where the company is expected to announce new mobile devices. The invitation reads "The playground is open", and though it's unclear exactly what the company plans to show, recent rumors suggest new Nexus handsets, a new tablet and even a new version of Google's Android operating system are coming.
Google's current Nexus lineup consists only of the Nexus 7 tablet and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone. The latter, launched in October last year, is due for a refresh and apparently this time around the search giant might have more than just one device succeeding it. Recent leaks show LG and Sony might be working on their own Nexus phones, and rumor has it that rather than partnering with a single OEM, Google might open the Nexus branding to other manufacturers who agree to stick to stock Android and offer timely updates for the devices.
As far as tablets are concerned, Google is still expected to push the Nexus 7 this holiday season, but the company might introduce a new 32GB version priced at the same $200 as well as a $99 model.
The timing for Google's announcement is no coincidence. It'll go down just six days after Apple is expected to introduce the iPad Mini and on the same day Microsoft plans a big announcement on Windows Phone 8. The latter has a lot more at stake here as Microsoft is putting a lot of eggs in Windows 8's basket.
Whatever Google has in store to compete for your dollars this holiday season we'll find out soon enough. The event will be live-streamed at Youtube.com/Android if you want to follow the announcements as they happen.