Asus could be gearing up to launch a second-generation Nexus 7 tablet in the coming months, according to sources in the company’s “upstream supply chain,” who also claim that the device will be followed by a new Intel-powered smartphone. Asus has already announced a number of new devices this year, but it seems it is nowhere near finished just yet.

DigiTimes reports that Asus will launch a new smartphone with an Intel Atom Z2580 “Clover Trail” processor “in June at the earliest.” The device is expected to offer a large 5- to 5.5-inch display, similar to that of the Lenovo K900 — which also uses the Atom Z2580 processor — and the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

The rest of the handset’s details remain a mystery at this point.

The sources also has some information on a second-generation Nexus 7. According to the report, the device will appear in May “with enhanced specifications” and a $249 price tag. Like its predecessor, it will compete with other 7- and 8-inch tablets, including the Amazon Kindle Fire and the iPad mini.

The current Nexus 7 was first launched in July 2012, so an update around May this year is indeed plausible. What’s more, this is the same month Google will hold its annual I/O developer conference, which would be the perfect time to announce a new slate.

• SourceDigiTimes