What to Expect From Google’s October Event
On Tuesday October 9th, Google will host its annual hardware event in New York. It is at these events that we hear about all the big new device and service announcements that the tech giant is preparing.
Luckily, you don’t need to be present to get to the live event. As has become the norm for such events, the whole thing will be streamed online through the official Google page on YouTube . We will also embed the feed as soon as it becomes available.
What to expect
While we can’t say with certainty what Google will showcase, past presentations have covered everything from new smartphones and tablets to smart home appliances. However, we have an overall picture of what’s coming at Tuesday’s press conference based on rumors and recent announcements.
Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL official announcement
It’s almost painfully obvious that Google is wrapping up its next flagship Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones for this upcoming event. There have already been numerous leaks and there doesn’t seem to be much left to reveal about the alleged new phones, but we expect to receive an announcement of the real deal during Tuesday’s event.
According to the leaked specs, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be powered by Snapdragon 845 chipsets and a modified version of Android.
In terms of physical design, both devices are expected to retain the single-camera design of past Pixel phones. The Pixel XL is said to have a 5.3 “display and smaller bezels, while the 3 XL will have a 6.2” edge-to-edge screen, although it will reportedly also have a “notch” and a large “chin” on the top and bottom panels, to the chagrin of some.
Finally, some rumors even suggest an updated set of Pixel Bud wireless earbuds will be released alongside the Pixel 3 and 3 XL.
We suspect this will be one of the major announcements of the event, so expect to receive all the information, including the price and release date, as well as confirmation that it will be covered by the recently launched Google Repair Center.
Pixel Slate 2-in-1 and Pixelbook 2
The Pixelbook is Google’s answer to Apple’s iPad and Macbook, and Microsoft’s Surface devices. The original Pixelbook was launched at last year’s October event, so the likelihood of a hardware upgrade is high. Possible updates expected from the Pixelbook 2 include a 4K display, a new processor, and a redesigned design with a thinner bezel.
Another rumored tablet announcement is Google’s 2-in-1 tablet, the Pixel Slate. While the Pixelbook can double as a laptop and tablet, its keyboard is not removable and is primarily geared towards laptop replacement. The Pixel Slate, on the other hand, is rumored to have a removable keyboard for more traditional tablet functions. The coolest rumor about the Pixel Slate, however, is another 2-in-1 feature, with some leaders suggesting the Slate can run both Chrome OS and Windows 10 on the same computer.
Chromecast 3
It also looks like a new Chromecast is coming soon. It might come as a bit of a surprise, but at least one person has reportedly already bought it from Best Buy, so if Reddit user LitheBeep isn’t really good at Photoshop, it looks like the real thing.
Google recently updated its Chromecast and it has a 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra and Sound-only Chromecast Audio, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what new features or specs the Chromecast 3 might include. However, we know that Chromecast 3 is at least , brings some changes to the look of the Chromecast with a thicker body and an updated logo. Whatever changes take place under the hood are likely to be discussed on Tuesday.
Project Stream support?
We may find out more about Google Project Stream, which will soon be in beta, especially if the service is present on any of the recently announced devices. While the current focus of Project Stream is on cloud gaming through the Chrome browser, Google has left open the possibility that the service could be used for more than just gaming.
Pixel Stand and Google Home Hub Smart Display
A myriad of potential new Pixel devices could dominate the rumor mill, but this wouldn’t be Google’s highlight if we didn’t focus on its smart home and Internet of Things (OIT) initiative, Google Home, and related devices. There are rumors of a new Pixel Phone accessory, the Pixel Stand, that integrates your phone into your smart home network. The device is said to be a wireless charging dock that will allow you to use Google Assistant on your phone while it’s in the dock, even when the screen is locked.
Likewise, the Google Home Hub’s smart display should be, well, exactly what it looks like: a centralized hub that gives you full control over your connected Google Home devices via Google Assistant. The screen is said to display important information such as weather, latest news and device status, and acts as a touchscreen interface to control other devices.