Google Phone - 4th October

[rad]

So what is Google going to announce on 4th October

 

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://madeby.google.com/intl/en_uk/askmore/%3Futm_source%3DS__hp__M__HPPlink_mobile__all__C__9_14_pixeltease_en-uk%26utm_medium%3DHPPlink_mobile%26utm_campaign%3D9_14_pixeltease_en-uk&source=hpp&id=19003657&ct=3&usg=AFQjCNFPC4oCAZPsJ-A4Y4moGcahnzSOng&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiX0tyJu6XWAhUPL1AKHbLFC2sQ8IcBCA0

[Danp]

New Pixel phone I expect

[hardtailstar]

new tablet too apparently.

[Arthur]

new tablet too apparently.

A new Chromebook Pixel that's also a tablet?

 

https://chromeunboxed.com/eve-next-chromebook-pixel-insider-tip/

[Arthur]

New Bose noise cancelling headphones with built-in Google Assistant too perhaps?

 

www.androidpolice.com/2017/09/17/boses-quietcomfort-35-ii-google-assistant-spotted-best-buy/

 

We've known for a while that at least one pair of headphones with Google Assistant was in development, under the 'Bisto' codename. Two days ago, Bose's QuietComfort 35 II with Google Assistant built-in was leaked. Now, at least one person has discovered a pair at a local Best Buy.

 

https://twitter.com/jeremyjudkins/status/909097222310154241

 

[Arthur]

Those PixelBook prices are a bit steep!

 

Google Pixelbook is Google’s New Chromebook With Pixelbook Pen, Starting at $1,199

 

The Pixelbook will come in Silver, along with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. The prices will look familiar to those who remember the original two Chromebook Pixel devices, in that they aren’t coming cheap like many of the other Chromebooks sold by Samsung, Acer, etc. The 128GB version will start at $1,199, followed by the 256GB model at $1,399 and the 512GB option at $1,749.

 

This Pixelbook is different from previous Chromebook Pixel units in that it folds into a tablet. It’ll also get additional interactivity, thanks to the official Pixelbook Pen, which will cost $99. The Pixelbook Pen is pressure sensitive, with tilt support and supposedly no lag.

 

Once live, you should be able to buy the Pixelbook here and the Pixelbook Pen here.

 

 

And Here is the Pixel 2 XL in Black and White, Starting at $849

 

The LG-made Pixel 2 XL will come in a “Black & White” colorway that might be the hottest panda colorway we’ve ever seen. The phone will also arrive in “Just Black,” and be available with 64GB or 128GB storage. The 64GB model will cost $849, while the 128GB model will jump to $949.

 

Google will offer financing as well. The 64GB Pixel 2 XL will cost $35.38/mo over 24 months and the 128GB version will jump to $39.54/mo.

 

Once available, you should be able to buy the Pixel 2 at the Google Store right here.

 

 

Here is the Google Home Mini, the Smaller $49 Google Home

 

According to the information we’ve viewed, the Google Home Mini (official name) will arrive in Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral colors. The Google Home Mini will be powered rather than wireless, at least according to the images here. This Google Home Mini will be able to help you with your schedule, set reminders, grab news, and other Home-related inquiries. It’ll cost just $49 and is, of course, sports Google Assistant.

 

As you can see from the images we’ve included in this post, it looks a lot like a Google Home that has been pressed or sat on. You have colored bases that match the color of the top, soft portion of the unit. So unlike the original Google Home that had swappable bases, it looks like the mini may not have that same luxury. Instead, you’ll get a dark base for the Charcoal unit, white base for Chalk (grey), and coral for Coral. Those appear to be lights on top of each unit as well, likely to let you know that you are interacting with Home Mini, just like we see from the multi-colored LEDs are the current Google Home.

 

Once live on the Google Store, you’ll be able to buy it right here.

 

 

Here is the New Google Daydream View, It’ll Cost $99

 

While we don’t have many details on this unit, it’s obvious that we are looking at new colors: Charcoal, Fog, and Coral. The unit looks less soft and potentially more rugged. The previous Daydream View (our review) had a cloth, jersey like finish, whereas this appears to be more of a nylon or at least a material that may be able to withstand our nerd sweat over a longer period of time. The design also seems a bit cleaner this time around. The controller is back again.

 

The new Google Daydream View will cost $99, which is a $20 bump over the original. Does that mean upgrades inside? I’d assume so, though we don’t have that info just yet.

 

Once live on the Google Store, you should be able to buy them right here.

 

Edited September 19, 2017 by Arthur

[ZeroHour]

Pricing is playing catch up with the new iPhone but scarily:

 

64GB Pixel 2 XL - $849

64GB iPhone 8 Plus - $799

 

128GB Pixel 2 XL - $949

256GB iPhone 8 Plus - $949

 

Obviously its still cheaper than the X but still I cant believe the iPhone 8 Plus is better value (other than being iOS obviously)

Edited September 19, 2017 by ZeroHour

[arwen]

Pricing seems way off for new google stuff :-/

 

I'm not a fan of the glass on the back of my Pixel, however when taking a photo of yourself but using the rear camera. Basically the reflection you see in the glass is what will be in the picture.

The shorter glass in the new ones now looks more ridiculous and will serve no use.

[Blue_Cookeh]

Pricing seems way off for new google stuff :-/

 

I'm not a fan of the glass on the back of my Pixel, however when taking a photo of yourself but using the rear camera. Basically the reflection you see in the glass is what will be in the picture.

The shorter glass in the new ones now looks more ridiculous and will serve no use.

 

Antennas, maybe?

[hardtailstar]

if those headphones are true then I know what I am spending my money on!

[jthompson]

Having Google Assistant built into something would put me off, tbh. As does syncing all my photos to the Google Photos service.

 

On an entirely unrelated note, I've just started reading 'The Circle' by Dave Eggars.

[Arthur]

I'm not a fan of the glass on the back of my Pixel

Slightly off-topic, but for some reason the back of the Pixel phones reminds me of chocolate-dipped biscuits/flapjack.

 

[jthompson]

Pricing seems way off for new google stuff :-/

 

I'm not a fan of the glass on the back of my Pixel, however when taking a photo of yourself but using the rear camera. Basically the reflection you see in the glass is what will be in the picture.

The shorter glass in the new ones now looks more ridiculous and will serve no use.

 

I had a Nexus 4 (glass back). It was always slipping off the sofa, etc. Very impractical.

[arwen]

Yea the Pixel is just as slippy as the Nexus 4 I've found. However it is much more durable Mine has been dropped countless times and still works flawlessly.

[hardtailstar]

I had a Nexus 4 (glass back). It was always slipping off the sofa, etc. Very impractical.

 

Yea the Pixel is just as slippy as the Nexus 4 I've found. However it is much more durable Mine has been dropped countless times and still works flawlessly.

 

I use a case on mine

[jthompson]

Is there some reason behind using glass on the backs of phones, other than aesthetics?

 

I was really disappointed when the original Pixels were announced. An expensive phone that was too much like an iPhone, I thought (although I was probably just mourning the passing of the Nexus brand tbf).

 

What has me excited about Android now is the Project Treble stuff in Oreo. Getting software updates for a phone is now one of my major buying considerations (jealous of iPhone owners, there), and a less expensive phone from say, Nokia, might now be able to stay current with Android releases for longer (or more quickly, at any rate).

[DJ-1701]

Is there some reason behind using glass on the backs of phones, other than aesthetics?

 

According to information regarding the iPhone, the reason they used glass now is for enabling wireless charging.

[woodham]

but you dont need a glass back for that , nokia have been doing it for years with out a glass back

[ZeroHour]

but you dont need a glass back for that , nokia have been doing it for years with out a glass back

Yeah my 920 had it, I just wish wireless charging was not so slow.

[hardtailstar]

Bose headphones - https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/headphones-optimized-for-the-assistant/

[Arthur]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-oHjV5qbTo

 

Bose headphones

Tempting, although I wish Bose had replaced the microUSB port with USB-C. It seems very shortsighted since neither of the new Pixel phones have headphone jacks (USB-C only!).

 

Places to buy the QC35 IIs in the UK...

 

• www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0756CYWWD
  
• www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/headphones/over_ear_headphones/quietcomfort-35-wireless-ii/buy.html#EcommerceArea
  
• www.johnlewis.com/bose-quietcomfort-noise-cancelling-qc35ii-over-ear-wireless-bluetooth-nfc-headphones-with-mic-remote/p3327256?colour=Black
  

Sony's forthcoming WH-1000XM2 noise cancelling headphones also look really good and are the same price as the new QC35s, but these aren't available until January 2018 and don't have a Google Assistant button.

 

One advantage the Sony headphones have over the QC35s is that they support higher quality Bluetooth audio codecs like LDAC. Bose only support AAC and SBC which is disappointing.

 

www.androidpolice.com/2017/03/21/feature-spotlight-android-o-looks-like-it-will-add-support-for-aptx-bluetooth-streaming

 

[Arthur]

Having Google Assistant built into something would put me off, tbh.

 

Why Google Assistant optimized Headphones are a big deal

 

So if you've used any Bluetooth headphones before, you probably have a 'call' button. Long pressing on that button on recent versions of Android would trigger Google Assistant. So that's not anything particular exciting. These headphones do a lot more than that though.

 

My personal favourite feature and why I prefer these headphones over all my others is the VUI (Voice UI) around reading and responding to notifications. While regular notifications will play their chime just like on normal headphones, these headphones can detect messaging notifications and will instead read the name of the person (super important context usually missing). From there, a simple tap of the button will read the notification out loud (this works with any notification!). For messaging notifications, you also get the chance to reply, directly from the headphones by holding down the button. No having to say 'ok google' or have it transcribe a few extra second at the end. The 'push to talk' model is surprisingly nice on headphones.

 

Even when there isn't a notification just coming in, tapping the Google Assistant button is so much more useful. Besides bringing up any notifications you may have long since missed, I've also gotten Google Assistant driven suggestions like the time to leave for my next calendar appointment.

 

And I think something that is underrated by people who have Android devices, but these features also work when connected to iOS devices through the Google Assistant app on iOS. I wouldn't underestimate how impactful that is for iOS users who previously haven't had the ability to use anything but Siri on headphones.

[Arthur]

Pixel 2 XL + Case

 

https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/914899507720130560/

 

Edited October 2, 2017 by Arthur

[sted]

i wish they would bring back the nexus line something that dosent cost some silly amount that to me no phone is worth i just want a vanilla android phone with no samsung etc crudware that might get updates past the first month

[jthompson]

i wish they would bring back the nexus line something that dosent cost some silly amount that to me no phone is worth i just want a vanilla android phone with no samsung etc crudware that might get updates past the first month

 

This is why I'm eyeing up the current Nokias to replace my Nexus 5.