Here’s the reason why Nexus devices do not have expandable storage

Each and every time new Google Nexus devices are launched, such as yesterday's Nexus 4 announcement the usual questions such as “why isn't there a Micro SD slot” and “why has the user interface changed, again?” surface. To answer our questions, Matias Duarte, the director of the Android user experience team took to Google+.

To answer everyone's questions about the lack of expandable storage (but not why storage options are so limited) he had this to say:

“If you’re saving photos, videos or music, where does it go? Is it on your phone? Or on your card? Should there be a setting? Prompt everytime? What happens to the experience when you swap out the card? It’s just too complicated.

Your Nexus has a fixed amount of space and your apps just seamlessly use it for you without you ever having to worry about files or volumes or any of that techy nonsense left over from the paleolithic era of computing.”

Also, in regards to the Nexus 10 user interface moving away from the single Android navigation area and more like Android smartphones and the Nexus 7, Duarte has this to say:

“What mattered most of all was muscle memory – keeping the buttons where you expect them, no matter how you hold the device.

The Jelly Bean navigation buttons work equally well for left handers and right handers, one handed use, or two handed use, and for devices you’re carrying, resting on your knee, or putting on the table.”

KitGuru says: Google has chosen the simpler route for easier user interaction. However, it does not explain the restricting storage emplaced on most Nexus devices.

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