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Google might be making some big changes with its next Nexus tablet by switching over to a larger 8-inch slate created by HTC.

DigiTimes reports that Google has employed HTC to develop the new Nexus 8 tablet, which may come out sometime between July and September.

Sources from the upstream supply chain explained the internet search giant is considering a new design. Therefore Google has decided to split from Asus, who has manufactured the last two generations of Nexus 7 devices.

Supposedly the break up is mutual as the source claims Asus also wanted out due to the third-generation tablet restrictions Google had put in place. Now with the relationship severed, Asus supposedly will now be able to push "its own-brand tablets and smartphones fully."

Premium build, premium price

What's more the tablet might actually be an 8.9-inch slate coming at a $299 premium, according to a CNET report.

Rhoda Alexander, director tablet and monitor research at IHS Technology, spoke with CNET suggesting that Google's next tablet will be "high-performance" compared to previous wallet friendly Nexus 7 devices.

Rumors suggest Google's next tablet with feature a larger 8.9-inch with the resolution getting bumped up to 2560 x 1600. As a result, there might be a bigger price tag to boot.

Tablets for all

This isn't the first time Google has switched manufacturers. Previously Google employed Samsung to develop its early smartphones before switching to LG to produce the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5.

What's more, this purported partnership slots in perfectly with HTC's plans to of tablets and smartwatches. Early this February, we also heard that HTC had won the rights to produce a "high-end" Nexus tablet.

A Nexus 8 tablet has been said to arrive by mid-2014, which corroborates with the new details from the upstream supply sources. What little else we know is the tablet could feature an Intel Bay Trail-T processor.

It's just a over a month until Google I/O where we will hopefully see these early reports of a new Nexus 8, and possibly Nexus 10, bear fruit. Until then stay tuned to this space.

• Check out the best tablets you can already buy today.