What Exactly is Google Play Edition Devices?

Hello Everyone,

Today Let's talk about Google Play Edition Device, commonly called or short forms as GPe devices.

Google Experience devices are Google-sanctioned Android devices that, while not carrying the Google Nexus branding, still ship with a 'stock' build of the operating system modified only to cater for device-specific hardware features. Updates for these devices are delivered by Google (bypassing carriers), but are supplied by the original device manufacturer.

On May 16, 2013 at Google I/O Hugo Barra take out a samsung galaxy S4 from his back pocket, the latest flagship phone of Samsung at the stage where people were expecting the next Nexus, but rather than hardware of S4 he talk about software on  S4. It was running the Stock android (to be specific nearly stock android as we know now). He also announced that it will go on sale in june(also GPe htc One was released with it) Everyone one was surprised to see how you can get rid of the ugly and laggy touchwiz on Samsung devices and can use stock android which Google supply to OEMs.

Thats where the whole GPe devices started. And he also announced that it will be continued........

BUT....... Long after months and months nothing happen,  then came 2 new GPe devices - Sony Z Ultra and LG G Pad 8.3 (Both on December 10) and if you remember Motorola also launched Moto G Google Play Edition(On January 14th 2014).

Then I realised the real meaning of this whole Google Play Edition Devices.

This device can be called as Google Experience device as this give us nearly stock android and fast update. But then I realised how many Google Play Edition device you see in real life? I think ZERO

Yeah these devices are not made for general public, this are made for the developer to develop apps on all the different specification of devices. This is same approach as Nexus Devices but in variety. If you compare GPe devices you will see every phone has different specification so that developer can develop apps according to their screen size, processor, display, and many other criteria. As they come with unlock bootloader they are more developer friendly. So we can call them as DEVELOPER EDITION DEVICE.

Advantages for Google/android

1. Providing faster updates to the devices and end fragmentation
2. Making unified experience across all the devices.
3. Make android more developer friendly giving them more option to choose from

Advantages for OEM's

1. More app for their specific Devices.
2. Make them the best OEM amongst the other.
3. Gain popularity in the Tech World.

Do you think this will beneficial for Google and OEM's? Will be continued in future? Let us know which Google Play Edition Device you would Like to see in 2014 in the comment below.

NOTE: 

• Google Play Edition Devices are US specific
• Motorola Xoom(runs stock  Android 3.0 Honeycomb) and htc Dream(first android phone runs stock android) are also Google experience devices.