Home isn’t the only new product Google will be launching this week. Joining it is the new, long-awaited Pixel phone. Except thanks to an “oops” on one retailer’s site, the wait for news ended a bit early.
As Ars Technica points out, one phone retailer site based in the U.K. seems to have had a brief slip of the finger, and let listings for the new device go live today… even though it won’t actually be formally announced until Oct. 4.
Tech sites across the board seem pretty certain that the Pixel is the new Nexus. Instead of following up the Nexus 5 and 6 series with something 7, Google’s dumping the Nexus name altogether and launching the first Pixel phone.
The Pixel phone — which also comes in a Pixel XL, slightly larger version — is not to be confused with the Pixel C. That item, already for sale, is a tablet-with-keyboard device basically in direct competition with Microsoft’s Surface tablet and Apple’s iPad pro.
In addition to dumping the Nexus name, Google appears to have dumped LG and Huawei, the manufacturers behind their older line. The new phones come from HTC, and earlier leaks have suggested they will feature premium materials and full-body aluminum cases.
And premium design, of course, comes with a premium price point; the new phones are expected to start around $650, putting them right in line with Samsung and Apple’s flagship high-end smartphone products.
The screen will measure 5″, like the Nexus 5, but the Pixel XL will clock in at 5.5″ — slightly smaller than the Nexus 6P, and exactly in line with the iPhone 7 Plus.
The leak listed some detailed product specs including processor speed and potential for an SD card slot, but Ars cautions readers to take those with a grain of salt, as they contradict other, more-likely leaks (and existing processor specs).
Most entertainingly, however, the leaky listing came with a whole gallery full of pictures. The photos show that, like the Nexus line before it, the Pixel keeps its fingerprint sensor on the back, instead of on the home key. It also clearly comes with a USB-C port and prominently-placed speaker on the bottom next to it.
But where Google shines with its own home-grown products is the software. The Pixel will launch with Android 7.1 (Nougat) installed, much as the Nexus line of phones were first to receive this year’s earlier launch of Android 7. It also seems to come with Google Allo — a fancier, bot-using, media-sharing, Facebook Messenger-challenging, Hangouts-replacing app — pre-installed and foregrounded.
While lots of specs have been leaked before, though, the photos were new. A sampling:
Ars Technica has a gallery of the full set, for the truly impatient. For those willing to wait, though, Google’s big event is expected at noon Eastern / 9 a.m. Pacific tomorrow.
Google Pixel phone listings go live early, offer new press images [Ars Technica]
by Kate Cox via Consumerist
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