It was bound to happen sooner or later: is reportedly ready to take the reins back on Android, it’s starting by cracking down on its Nexus smartphone program.

The Information reports that plans to “effectively reduce the level of involvement of hardware partners that make the phones with ” that it will go directly to its partners to source components for its future devices, as it did with devices like the xel C. This means shutting out manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola, , Huawei, HTC, all of whom have worked with in the past on Nexus devices. 

In addition to sourcing its own hardware, wants to work more directly with carriers to compete directly with Apple’s ione, The Information says. After all, when potential users go to their carriers, they see Samsung Apple devices on display, not ’s Nexus devices.

The report also mentions HTC’s work on building this year’s Nexus device, but says that the company isn’t particularly thrilled that wants tighter control over the manufacturing process. 

The story behind the story: ‘s focused on strengthening Android’s br overall to keep it fresh competitive, creating stout devices is only becoming more difficult in this saturated smartphone market. If this is the last year we have a traditional Nexus announcement, that means could be a direct competitor in next year’s smartphone sales. Maybe the homegrown xel C was just a taste of what’s to come.