I am buying a Nexus 7 tablet and the 9 is coming out, but looks like there is no 8. Whatever happened to it?
The 7 and 9 is reference to the screen size (7" and 9" - well, 8.9" to be exact, I believe). There is no demand for an 8" tablet, hence no Nexus 8. The numbers are not a reference to being the latest version or not, the way, say Windows 7, Windows 8 might be. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! That said, I do now recall there being talk of a possible Nexus 8 - being an 8" version... but seems the 9" version has been released first. So I may have been a tad hasty in thinking you were confusing the screen-size with the being the latest version (so sorry if I did!) Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
The Nexus 6 is a phone. Nexus 9 is a tablet. Both have just been released. There are two models of Nexus 7 tablet - both now discontinued. There's also a Nexus 5 phone. The numbers refer to the screen sizes, as has already been pointed out. I own a Nexus 7, and I'm actually sorry that it has been dumped for a 9 inch tablet. It's a nice size if you're using it as an e-reader or news reader - which are two of the things I most often use it for. I don't particularly want to prop a large tablet in bed, and I don't like reading on a tiny phone screen (even though the trend these days is towards "phablets"). 7 inches is a nice size for a small tablet, IMHO.
Yes, I wasn't aware that the number was referring to size. I have just got the 7, looks nice, specially the surround sound from such a small device. Maybe they don't make it anymore, but apparently they have a ton in storages, because they are still selling it...
It seems that many outlets are quite heavily discounting the Nexus 7 now. I'd highly recommend buying one if you want something that size. It's a good tablet. Battery life could be a little better, but other than that it's great.
You bought it without having any idea what you want to use it for? What I use mine for might well be different to what you will want yours for.