Asus may have built the Nexus 7 but it looks like Google is switching its manufacturer of choice and teaming up with HTC for the Nexus 8.

DigiTimes quotes sources from the "upstream supply chain" as pitting the Nexus 8 for a release in the third quarter.

The sources cite a number of factors in the change, including the consideration being given to a new design for the Nexus 8. 

Their comments suggest some friction in the relationship between Google and Asus down to the restrictions on Asus' involvement, including excluding the manufacturer from any "initiative during the development". 

Although Google had apparently courted HTC earlier on a Nexus tablet, a partnership between the two tech giants wasn't possible sooner because HTC was concentrating on its smartphone expansion at the time.

But it looks like the way is now clear at HTC to start a new venture with Google on the Nexus 8.

It has an additional upside for Asus too, the sources note, in freeing up the company to "push its own-brand tablets and smartphones fully". 

There is some speculation that the Nexus has done its job in spreading Android around the tablet market and that Google will therefore no longer make any tablets.  

Phone Arena spculates that the Nexus 8 may in fact be a previously rumored 8.9-inch Nexus tablet tipped by Rhoda Alexander at IHS Technology to be a "high-performance" device with a "premium price tag" but "lower product volume".