Pixel & Pixel XL liveblog: Google's first phone hardware

posted by Ray S. / Oct 04, 2016, 8:44 AM

Pixel & Pixel XL liveblog: Google's first phone hardware

The unthinkable is probably going to happen today, as it seems fairly certain that Google is gearing up to do what practically amounts to entering the smartphone business with a competing product.

The Pixel and Pixel XL phones, which are expected to be announced today, will be much more of a Google thing than the Nexus devices we're used to seeing come from Mountain View. Where Nexus phones were designed and marketed in close collaboration with other prominent phone makers, the Pixel and Pixel XL are said to follow in the Pixel C tablet's footsteps, which was treated like a product that is exclusively Google.

Beginning at 9 AM Pacific US time today, the company which brought you Android is going to hold a grand press conference, where it's expected to announce a series of new products, including the aforementioned Pixel smartphones, a new Chromecast media device, news surrounding the Google Home device, a project codenamed Andromeda, and possibly more.

For the full round-up of rumored product announcements, please see our What to expect article.

This is our Google Pixel and Pixel XL liveblog, where you'll be able to follow the action through timely text and image updates. Alternatively, there's always the video stream from the event that you can watch here.

Live event tracker

12:26	But do be sure to stay with PhoneArena.com, for we're having a ton of coverage around today's announcements! Thank you!
12:25	Rich Osterloch came back on stage to wrap things up. Which means it's time for us to wrap it up here as wall.
12:24
12:23	An example for a Conversation Action is calling a Uber.
12:22	The so called Conversation Actions, though, will ask you to follow up your request with more details, in order to be executed correctly.
12:22	Direct Action like "turn off the lights" or "skip this song" will be directly carried out.
12:21	Google is working on an open platform to let developers create apps for Google Assistant.
12:21
12:19
12:17	Google Home is available for pre-order today, and will ship November 4. Through Google Store and retailers like BestBuy and Target.
12:16
12:16	They've made it smarter though: only the device that hears you best will respond, so that the whole house doesn't start rocking upon request
12:15	This is what a Google Home-alized house looks like.
12:14	Google is working to bring Netflix to this so-called "voice casting" to Google Home.
12:14	"Ok Google, play the latest Katy Perry song." And it's going to play it on the TV. This will work only with YouTube at first.
12:13
12:12	Google Home will be integrated with Chromecast: with just a voice command, you can call something to be played on the TV.
12:10	An interesting Home feature can brief you on your day, including time, weather forecast, commute to work, and appointments you have.
12:08	"The Google Assistant is there when you need it." "We want Google Home to help you stay on top of your schedule."
12:04	"OK, Google, play that Shakira song from Zootopia!" And it actually played the correct song!
12:01	The speaker inside Google Home should be pretty decent. "With rich base and clear highs."
11:59	Here's what Google Home can do.
11:59
11:58	Now, onto Google Home!
11:58	Available in November, at $69.
11:57
11:57
11:57	Chromecast Ultra is the new 4K Chromecast.
11:56
11:55	Google's network assist tech should make sure that you're automatically using the optimal wireless settings for speed and reception.
11:54	Google Wi-Fi hotspots.
11:53
11:53	Mario Queiroz will now shift gears to the home, and Google's efforts to gain a permanent spot inside.
11:52	Available in November at $79.
11:52
11:51	Daydream View will of course work way better with 360-degree videos, designed for VR.
11:50	Street View and YouTube will also work with Daydream. Regular videos will simply look bigger with the Daydream View.
11:49	Over 50 partners are bringing apps and games to Daydream this year. Doesn't really sound that many...
11:48	Starchart is another app for VR - you'll be able to point at different galaxies and stellar objects using the remot… twitter.com/i/web/status/7…
11:47	An exclusive "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" experience will be available for Daydream.
11:46
11:45	The remote is motion sensing, allowing for swinging and drawing gestures.
11:44	There's a latch on top of the headset - you use that to open it and place the phone inside.
11:43	Daydream View should be more comfortable to wear, due to fabric materials and light weight.
11:42
11:42	The Daydream view headset!
11:41
11:41	Google Pixel through US carriers will be exclusively available through Verizon.
11:40	Clay Bieber will now introduce us to Google's VR efforts.
11:39	Pre-orders open today! Starts at $649. That's for the 5" model we guess; price for the 5.5" will probably be higher.

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29 Comments

2. Jevon5

Posts: 60; Member since: Feb 15, 2016

Laughing at those bezels while I type this on my note 7

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 8:51 AM 4

19. NarutoKage14

Posts: 1318; Member since: Aug 31, 2016

The Note 7 has bezels. Do you also laugh at those?

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 9:24 AM 3

14. Barney_stinson

Posts: 672; Member since: May 30, 2016

#$hit pixel!! dare to compete with OP3!!!

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 9:10 AM 1

24. Loveneesh

Posts: 432; Member since: Jul 14, 2015

They can, even Axon 7 is better than OP3.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 9:33 AM 1

22. Reeyawn

Posts: 66; Member since: Apr 21, 2013

can't wait

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 9:31 AM 1

28. parasshah100

Posts: 70; Member since: Jan 01, 2016

Pixel phones look promising, they might not have the best design but for the people complaining about camera, remember even apple had 2.2 aperture with the 6s which was still very good, even OP3 has 2.0 aperture, so Pixels with 1.55um pixel size could have great cameras even at 2.0 aperture. Google could pack their best into this phone unlike Nexuses where they left a couple of features. Vulkan API, Snapdragon 821, IMX378, Daydream support, Possibly affordable price and great offers. :)

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:02 AM 0

41. ebilcake

Posts: 1227; Member since: Jul 16, 2016

Vulkan is part of Android 7, nothing to do with the phone. OnePlus 3 costs half the price as other flagship devices, I doubt very much Google will try and compete at the same price point.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:52 AM 0

44. RieXan

Posts: 4; Member since: Oct 04, 2016

Vulkan is part of Android 7 but you need a SOC in your phone that supports it. It´s the same thing on a computer. When your gpu is to old, you can´t use Vulkan for games like Doom. So it have something to do with the phone ;)

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 11:27 AM 0

30. ebilcake

The bezels are so big on top and bottom, there are no buttons or speakers so why?

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:08 AM 1

32. tangbunna

Posts: 474; Member since: Sep 29, 2016

is that iphone without home button? ugly and outdated iphone rip off.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:16 AM 0

36. ebilcake

Unfortunately that's exactly how the front looks.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:29 AM 0

35. Ezio2710

Posts: 548; Member since: Aug 22, 2015

Get iPhone and note 7 out of the article.

37. Scott93274

Posts: 6031; Member since: Aug 06, 2013

I'd be a little more excited for the announcement if the internet didn't spoil everything before hand... then again, we demand all the news ASAP so I suppose this is a case of "You can't make everyone happy", of more accurately, "Damned if you do, damned if you don't". But enough with the nonsense, see what you can do about making the clock speed up so we can get on with the show!

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:36 AM 0

42. ebilcake

The staff here are pathetic.

posted on Oct 04, 2016, 10:53 AM 1

45. NarutoKage14

The problem is that people find ways of breaking the non disclosure agreements they sign without getting caught. If companies were to really crack down on leaks, we would return to bring awed on reveal announcements.