HTC Nexus 3 Image, Specs & Features Removed At the Request of You Know Who

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Yesterday we saw the first Google Nexus leak, a lot earlier than we would have expected considering that the phone is supposed to hit stores in the fourth quarter of the year, and the first conclusion seemed to have been that we have a clear favorite when it comes to the company that’s going to win the Nexus 3 project.

While HTC and LG already have prototype units in testing with Android developers at Google (allegedly), it would seem that HTC has a bit of an edge on LG when it comes to making the next Nexus. The story got even more interesting earlier today when Tech Hog, the tech site that got the first images of the alleged Nexus 3, decided to delete the leaked image and all the information it had published in its previous posts.

Here’s what the post that contained information about the Nexus 3, including first details about specs and features, looks like now:

(Photo removed per request)
(Information removed per request)
Sorry everyone, I’ve been politely asked to remove the information from this page regarding the 3rd Nexus. I apologize for the inconvenience.

We can only guess who politely asked to have that kind of information removed since we’ve seen this scenario happen a bunch of times in this tech-reporting industry. We’ve seen plenty of leaked images, videos, or information get pulled after a certain someone asked for that to happen. It’s all part of the game, and we definitely understand why it happens.

Even if the device in question wasn’t a Nexus, we know it exists and we know Google was/is working with HTC to develop it. Even if yesterday’s leak has disappeared from the main source of the leak, that image is now available on plenty of tech sites, us included, and forums, and people are already discussing the new phone, its alleged specs and features, and the fact that the image was doctored.

Indeed, the image was tampered with, but only to protect the anonymity of the person that leaked it in the first place, which makes plenty of sense:

Now as for the image itself, some of you claim “FAKE” or “GIMPed” or even “PHOTOSHOPPED.” I CAN tell you the image was “touched-up” to removed and/or HIDE things on the device that would have made it easier to track back. So as for the “line” across the screen or the thumb, they were two of the things that were taken out of image to help prevent any identification.

Mike Blake, founder of Tech Hog, whom we’ve also been in contact to ask more details about this interesting leak, explained what happened with the original article and what made it disappear:

First off, I want to set the record straight. For those of you who are new to this site, I have said since day one, that I am honest, sometimes to honest and brutal perhaps. I don’t hide my feelings, especially with my utter distaste for RIM and their over glorified and pompous CEO’s and their awful outdated designs. But that is the great thing about the internet, I can share my opinion and you can either agree or disagree. So let’s get to this Nexus 3 hoopla, I received information from a source, I asked a few things and posted it. You all wanted more and so I pushed for more. I then posted the now infamous “Nexus 3″ image that I have since taken down as per a request (from who will remain private). I am not going to be giving more information from this source, nor will there be any follow up images.

Again, that makes plenty of sense and what’s even more important here, for both “haters” and “believers,” as Mike calls them, is that the Nexus 3, or whatever they’re going to call it, is going to get leaked again. To date there has never been any Android phone kept 100% secret from the media. We always had an idea of what’s coming or about how it will look, and just like with every other Android handset, we now have an idea of what could be coming from HTC, or LG in partnership with Google later this year.

I’d normally advise you that we should keep our grain of salt close by and consider the possibility that we’re looking at a very well engineered fake here, but something tells me, after talking to Mike and after reading his latest post (see Source link below) explaining the whole thing, this leak should be taken a lot more seriously.

So what do you say guys? Anyone excited about the next-gen Nexus? Looking forward for your thoughts in the comments section, via Twitter or Facebook!

Thanks, Mike!