is reportedly playing with the idea of co-developing its own mobile processor.

According to a report in The Information, held meetings with various hardware partners this fall showed off some concepts it was interested in building for future versions of Android.

ile has partnered annually with a hardware maker for its Nexus phones (there were two this year:  Huawei), such a step would be a new level of involvement. According to the report, much of the discussion stemmed from the company’s hope to build an “enterprise connectivity device” created almost exclusively in-house. The xel C appears to be a first step on that path, as a productivity-focused Android tablet designed by .

’s increased interest in hardware is likely driven by the future-looking technology the company has been dabbling with, like virtual augmented reality. And with its Android for rk initiative, is trying to make a bigger push into the enterprise space. en companies buy devices in large quantities for their business they want consistency in software timely updates—something many go to Apple to get. 

For to offer that type of integration, it can’t farm out everything to its partners, as companies want their supplier to invest time effort into maintaining their devices software.

will need both a chipset partner a willingness on the part of OEMs to implement the new designs. If they don’t become matory in all Android phones, might at the very least push them into its future Nexus devices, or xel line.

y this matters: Over the years has sought to exert ever more control over the Android ecosystem. It’s not without merit—Android is still terribly fragmented, too many carriers hardware makers hold back on updates or new features. If can get some partners to agree to use its own chip, that could push Android into more businesses give consumers a better experience.