Traces in the Android source code give us hints that the next Nexus device will be codenamed Fugu and powered by an Intel Atom System on a Chip (SoC). Google and Intel developers are discussing something with the name Fugu on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) website which is likely a smartphone or tablet. The two posts are respectively 2 and 5 days old. Fugu is the Japanese word for pufferfish and fits the fishy (phun intended) naming scheme Google uses for its Nexus devices.
Previous Nexus devices had names like Flounder, Shamu, Tilapia, Hammerhead and Grouper and Fugu fits that list. Usage of an Intel SoC would also fit in Google's strategy of changing of hardware manufacturer pretty much every Nexus release. Previous Nexus devices were built by hardware manufacturers like Samsung, Asus LG and the upcoming Nexus 6 was built by Motorola and the Nexus 9 by HTC.
We were the first site to report the Android Lollipop debug icon, the codename of the Nexus 9 (flounder/volantis) and the SoC powering the device (Tegra K1) so we're no strangers in finding out this stuff. However there isn't much more to find than the codename so far. Therefore take this with a grain of salt, but summarized our best bet is that Intel and Google are working on a new Nexus tablet or smartphone powered by an Intel Atom SoC codenamed Fugu. 
Fugu also appears in a list of FireFox phones (as some phone thing), however there have been no developments on that device since the end of 2013. Firefox OS also uses Japanese fish names, so either we're talking about the same, but more likely the now discovered Fugu is another device.
Currently the Android device market is mainly dominated by ARM design based chips like the Nvidia Tegra, Samsung Exynos and Qualcomm SnapDragon. So far Intel has missed the boat when it comes to mobile but the company continues to bring out mobile chips. The company has its stakes in Tizen, a mobile operating system it develops together with Samsung but also increasingly contributes to Android.
Update: Several people informed us that Fugu is likely the codename of the recently announced Google Nexus Media Player. This is very likely, it uses an Intel Atom SoC. Thanks for tipping us everyone!
Want to be the first to read more of our Android discoveries? Never miss a thing and follow us on Facebook / Twitter / Google Plus
