Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) is set to unveil its new Pixel branded phones and the 4K Chromecast device during a major event on October 4. The Pixel and Pixel XL will replace Nexus, Google’s flagship smartphone brand.
The event will focus on showing Google’s new hardware. It will be the company’s second big display after annual developer conference Google I/O, which introduced video chat mobile app Google Duo and instant messaging mobile app Google Allo.
Google will reveal the Pixels alongside a 4K version of its line of Chromecast digital media players, which rumors say it could be called Chromecast Plus or Chromecast Ultra.
The tech giant will also showcase the Google Home smart speaker, which debuted at I/O back in May, and an in-house design for VR device Daydream View. The virtual reality platform got announced at I/O and reports say will launch in November.
Pixels and 4K Chromecast
Google will market its upcoming Pixel smartphones as Pixel and Pixel XL. The 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL handsets are codenamed Sailfish and Marlin, respectively. Even though pricing isn’t available yet, the HTC-built duo is said to succeed Google’s Nexus devices, and be different from any other Pixel hardware before them.
The 4K Chromecast is Google’s next-generation video streaming device after the release of second-gen Chromecast and the audio-only model called Chromecast Audio in September 2015. The first-generation Chromecast got launched in July 2013. It became the best-selling media streaming device in the United States in 2014.
Google Home and Daydream View
Presented at I/O, voice-enabled wireless speaker Google Home will compete with market leader Amazon Echo in the smart speaker industry. Google’s first smart speaker will run Google Assistant, Allo, and Duo.
Meanwhile, the Daydream View, the successor to Google Cardboard, will feature Android 7.0 Nougat and will be compatible with Daydream-ready phones. Samsung, HTC, LG, Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Asus and Alcatel have already announced they will make Daydream-ready phones.
Google have designed a Daydream headset and controller for users to navigate the virtual world. Google Play will support the platform to easily find and install apps as well as game engines Unity and Unreal Engine.
Source: Daily Mail