It’s been a tough few weeks for consumer hardware news, but it looks like the season is finally over. We’ve already seen big events from Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, and now it’s time for Google to get in on the action. After all, being late to consumer electronics is a Google thing.
Spoilers are another type of thing offered by Google. Instead of trying to shut down leaks and rumours, Google rushed. In fact, the company has already announced and revealed images and specifications of the two prominent devices that we will see at its event today Wednesday, October 4 at 10 a.m. ET.
In fact, if you go to Google Play Now, you’ll see a huge ad for the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Google Watch 2. By clicking on it, you’ll find additional images and a bit of information. On the front of the Pixel 8, the company continues to stick to the design language it established with the Pixel 6, although the corners have become more rounded and the 8 Pro drops the secondary hole-punch in the camera bar.
The landing page also highlights current software features like Magic Eraser and Live Translate. There’s nothing new there, but both are still ahead of the curve compared to much of the rest of the industry. Meanwhile, the image of the Pixel Watch 2 shows few, if any, design changes.
“Pair it with your new Pixel phone to get more personalized help, safety features, and health insights,” Google wrote, apparently referring to some new health features — no surprise there.
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are It said It arrives with 6.2- and 6.7-inch displays respectively, as well as a significant increase in brightness. The 8 Pro is said to reach a maximum of 2,400 nits of brightness which could go some way towards making the phone more readable in direct sunlight.
The most bizarre rumor on the Pixel 8 front is a new thermometer feature. Soon, your phone could be used to read your temperature. Why not? Another nice potential plus for the phone is seven years of Android software support. The arrival of the Google Tensor G3 also seems like a no-brainer.
It looks like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Get more Also expensive at $699 and $999 to start respectively. This means that they will both receive a significant price increase of $100. Pre-orders begin on the day of the event (October 4) and they will start shipping by 12y.
Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 2 is said to start at $349, putting it right in line with the first-generation product. Google Can also Include the Watch 2 as part of the bundle, if you pre-order the Pixel 8 Pro – which isn’t a bad deal, all right.
The video above also contains a glimpse of a new sensor that many believe is electrically powered. This might make sense, since Fitbit’s Versa watches have used the sensor to determine stress levels for several years now.
I haven’t heard much about the Home/Nest rumors. In fact, things have been very quiet on this front for several years. Google’s smart home ambitions appear to have been temporarily or permanently sidelined in the wake of economic headwinds and other global woes. As for the Pixel Buds, new colors seem possible. It seems likely that the company would have included the headphones in its own devices if something more substantial was on the way.
Whatever the case, TechCrunch will be live streaming the Manhattan event on October 4, bringing you the news as it breaks.