[Update] Nexus 4 Bumpers get 'bumped' from the Play Store

Seems that Google is doing a little spring cleaning, and potentially some possible future ground work. We know that Google Reader is on its way out in July, now it looks like the Nexus 4 bumpers have been yanked as well. Digging through an old link pulls up a page with its image, but statesÂ â€œNexus 4 Bumper (Black) is no longer available for sale.â€ While Google might not always be extremely supportive and backing ofÂ accessories, they still exist. Competing in the smartphone business alone is hard enough, but selling a case or accessory for a device that hundreds of other companies build accessories for is a tougher market with a smaller margin for profit.

A person could jump to a few conclusions. First that the bumper wasn’t as successful as we all thought it was after it being sold out plenty of times. Either Google is over it, or there is something else on the way. I personally put my trust and faith in Google and their choices. They have yet to steer us wrong. As much as I’d like to think that they possibly have something cooler coming for the Nexus 4, I am a bit moreÂ inclinedÂ to think that they are prepping for the next Nexus device. They did leave the wireless charger in the system to purchase and I am willing to bet that device is factored into what ever is next. Google I/O is about 2 months away, so it would make sense to kill off an accessory for one device to start production and make room for a new one.

Some might think that is a bit of a reach, but if I were Google, that is what I would be doing. What do you guys think is the reasoning beyond the disappearing act of the Nexus 4 bumpers?

Via Phandroid

Original Link to Play Store Nexus 4 BumpersÂ

Current Nexus 4 page with missing Nexus 4 BumpersÂ

Update: They were clearly gone last night, but they seem to have returned earlier today. Just now getting a chance to sit down and make the update. Wish I knew why they vanished in the first place.