Google will reportedly ditch ASUS this year and team up with HTC to launch an 8-inch Nexus tablet with a different design, according to a new report.

Rumors of an 8-inch Nexus tablet have been making rounds for quite some time now, but it was not very clear whether it would launch alongside the 7-inch model or replace it. For the past couple of years, in 2012 and 2013, Google has teamed up with ASUS and launched two very successful Nexus 7 slates, and many expected this partnership to continue in 2014 as well.

A new report, however, now claims that Google will choose HTC this year to build a Nexus 8 tablet that would replace the 7-incher. The two companies are reportedly working on the slate now, aiming to launch it sometime in the third quarter of this year.

On the other hand, the news comes from Digitimes, which is often hit-and-miss with leaks and claims about unannounced devices. Consequently, it is strongly advised to take this report with a hefty grain of salt until some solid evidence or official confirmation becomes available.

"Google partnered with Asustek for the first two generations of Nexus 7, but for the next-generation model, the Internet giant is considering adopting a new design and therefore has switched to a new partner, the sources noted," reads the report.

Digitimes further claims that Asus will be able to push its own-brand tablets and smartphones now that it will not be in charge of making another Nexus tablet for Google. Moreover, the report also notes that Google had been eyeing a partnership with HTC for a long time, as other rumors have previously stated.

"Prior to its cooperation with Asustek for the first-generation Nexus 7, Google tried to contact HTC for a partnership, but was refused because HTC was busy pushing its smartphone business back then, the sources added."

Lastly, the report points out that Google has already achieved great success with its previous Nexus tablets that were aggressively pushed and priced, and now it can afford to launch its third-generation Nexus tablet in a less aggressive manner. In this case, some market observers believe the upcoming Nexus 8 could be the best tablet yet.

With no confirmation or announcement from Google's part, however, it's all in the rumor state for now. All of the aforementioned information is based solely on speculation and should be treated accordingly.