With no prospect of a new Nexus handset at IO this year Samsung and Google may have just concocted the next best thing.  A top of the range this gen handset running stock Android.  Early this morning the guys over at Geek.com reported that the device will be announced today during IO.  The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition will NOT be a Nexus device but will simply be the standard S4 which is currently available, but without Samsung’s Nature UI and running a completely stock version of Android.  As the device is not a Nexus it is hard to say how it will fair for future updates but if true it does show that both companies recognise the need for devices without all the manufacturers whistles and bells.  It will also be interesting to see how other OEM’s react to this as the only thing holding them back from doing the same (albeit without the Google involvement) is negotiating a deal for using GAPPS, a minor stumbling block that would easily be overcome.