It just doesn't add up. How do we go from the Nexus 5, one of the most leaked devices, to not even knowing the brand that is making the Nexus 10? This past Friday was the last day for me. Think about it: when the Nexus 5 released, it took about 2 weeks to get into stores. It would be impossible for them to release it Thursday or Friday. Thursday is a holiday, and Friday is black Friday. Unless they plan to release it at 2 A.M, it's already past black friday which basically closes out a lot of windows for them. The iPad Air will sell like crazy especially with the Target deal. It doesn't make any sense for google to come out and say "We are releasing the tablet the week after Black Friday."
Secondly, look at the Nexus 5 when it released. It had "leaves warehouse in 3-4 weeks" for the 16gb, and 2-3 weeks for the 32gb. That doesn't include shipping. If the Nexus Tablet was released tomorrow, it wouldn't leave the warehouse until either the 15th or the 22nd. If it seriously left the warehouse on the 22nd of December, there is no way Google is going to give free 2 day shipping.
That's just what I see of it. It doesn't make any sense for google to release it after Christmas, and it doesn't make any sense to release it now. If you guys can prove me wrong then please do, but I think it's about time to look elsewhere. The only thing I can't explain is why the Nexus 16gb is out of stock.
Off the bat, just let me say that I agree. To be honest, I was a little surprised that Google Didn't drop a new Nexus 10 with the Nexus 5, but I was already having my doubts well before Halloween simply due to the lack of ANY information or leaks on a 10" Nexus tablet. Not a huge deal for me, as I'm not looking to replace my current Nexus 10, but I was surprised none the less.
Now, to play Devil's advocate...
- I'm not sure how much Black Friday itself matters to higher-end electronics like this, but I do agree that if you want to benefit from the "Christmas shopping season", you're product should at least be available/announced/launching on Black Friday. Having said that, the iPad Air was going to sell like crazy anyway. Android's share in the tablet market (especially the 10" tablet market) simply doesn't have the strength at this time to really affect iPad sales at all. I don't know that it really matters though, because I'm not sure Google ever intended to have a new 10" tablet on the market for Christmas to begin with...that timetable was one based on speculation by most of us...and it's certainly clear that will not be one prior to the new year at this point.
- Let's assume for a second that Google actually was planning on releasing a new 10" Nexus on Black Friday...who's to say that they wouldn't already have the stock in place to fulfill orders faster than they did the N5? Who is also to say that they wouldn't offer free 2-day shipping? If that were a critical aspect of getting orders fulfilled on time, Google could certainly build it into the price. (Again, I DO NOT believe this to be the case...I'm just throwing it out there).
As far as the N10 16GB going out of stock on Google Play, that may just have been a coincidence. Even if Google is not releasing a new N10 at this time, it does seem apparently they are not replenishing their stock for whatever reason. It could be because a new version is imminent, it could be because their contract with Samsung to manufacture them has expired or maybe just because they decided they weren't making any money off them...who knows?
Some have speculated, and I tend to agree, that Google is looking at an 18 month cycle for the N10, as opposed to 12. It would make more sense, since these devices cost more money and folks generally keep them longer and upgrade less frequently than with phones. If this is the case, should we maybe expect a new Nexus 10 this spring, perhaps in conjunction with a 2014 Nexus 7? Seems plausible. Even if they originally did intend to get the Nexus 10 out with the Nexus 5, they obviously did not meet that goal, and as you mentioned, it really makes no sense to come out with it until after Christmas at this point anyway if it's not out now.
To those looking to buy, I've seen a lot of great deals on the current N10 out there online. If you want a decent tablet for $100-200 less than the new N10 probably will be (and whenever that may be), I certainly wouldn't hesitate buying one if you can get a good price.