While the forthcoming Google Pixel 2 event will undoubtedly be dominated by the eponymous smartphone, other devices will be revealed as well. Google is aiming to become a credible player in not merely the smartphone marketplace, but the entire technology niche, and the unveiling event will resemble one of the many Apple extravaganzas.
Last year, Google took the wrapper off the Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL and Google Daydream View, with the Google Wifi and Google Chromecast Ultra also putting in an appearance. Such reminiscence will whet appetites ahead of the Google Pixel 2 unveiling, so what can we expect from this critical conference on October 4 in San Francisco? Here ValueWalk counts down all of the key device releases at the Google Pixel 2 event.
Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL
Naturally enough, the next-generation smartphone will be the central focus of the Google Pixel 2 event. This is a critical year for the mobile series, as the mega-corporation attempts to demonstrate that it can seriously compete with Apple and Samsung in the smartphone sphere. In order to achieve this, the developer has engaged in a major collaboration with HTC, also buying out the smartphone division of this corporation recently for over $1 billion.
The rumor mill has certainly been churning ahead of the release of the Google Pixel 2, with the makeup of this handset changing in the perception of analysts quite regularly. But the appearance of the smartphone is now largely settled in the minds of the experts, with the consensus of opinion being that the design of the Google Pixel 2 will be rather similar to the original handset. This will mean that there will not be a wraparound screen in the next-generation device, nor will the bezels of the handset be significantly slimmed down.
Another minor disappointment is the lack of a dual-lens camera, although the excellent photographic capabilities coupled with other improvements should mean that the Pixel 2 impress in this department anyway. But the inclusion of the new Active Edge system should be a major highlight, with Google enabling users to access various features by squeezing the edges of the device.
It has also been commonly suggested that Google will remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the Pixel 2, which could receive a mixed reception. Improved waterproofing and dustproving will be welcome, though, and the larger Pixel XL device will have an impressive six-inch quad HD OLED display.
The smaller Google Pixel 2 will retail at an entry-level $649, while the XL is expected to start at $849. Ahead of the Google Pixel 2 event, this latter price tag indicates that the manufacturer is moving into the premium niche, alongside the likes of the iPhone and Galaxy ranges.
Google Pixelbook
Another major release at the Google Pixel 2 event will be the Google PixelBook; something of a mysterious product in the Google armory. ChromeBooks have made a serious impression in the laptop marketplace, but it is suggested that this new device may be an even bigger player.
Running off the Chrome operating system, the Google PixelBook is supposedly intended to be a companion for the forthcoming Google Pixel 2. Delivering a unique two-in-one design, the device has been reported on widely in the Google-following media for some time, but is now believed to be ready for the public domain.
Featuring a smart stylus, which is expected to be branded as the PixelBook Pen, this laptop will fight against the established Microsoft Surface and Apple MacBook lines. Rumors indicate that the PixelBook will retail at $1,199, with the top-spec device costing $1,749 on release. This can be considered pretty competitive, as it is significantly less than the Microsoft Surface Pro, and suggests that the device will be more similar to the Microsoft SurfaceBook.
Available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB configurations, the device also offers some serious storage, with Google’s ChromeBook series only delivering a maximum of 64GB.
Google Home Mini
The home speaker market is becoming ever more significant, with Amazon having invested extremely heavily in this technology. With this in mind, the Home Mini is set to be another highlight of the Google Pixel 2 event. There is a definite resemblance between this speaker and the existing Amazon Echo Dot, with the Google Home Mini intended to be a condensed version of the premium product in this range.
This will be a small speaker, nonetheless featuring the same design found with the existing Google Home speaker. But it seems that customization of this device will be possible via optional accessories and peripherals, which differs from the main and existing speaker in the series.
Although the Google Home Mini is designed to be a compact unit, early reports suggest that it will be more powerful than the Echo Dot from Amazon. The power of the unit has also been reported as being rather high, which will mean that sound quality should impress.
With the Home Mini set to retail at an impressive $49, it should attract a large amount of consumers when it is revealed at the Google Pixel 2 event.
Google Daydream View 2
Finally, the Google Daydream View 2 is also set to be unveiled at the Google Pixel 2 event, representing a reboot of the virtual reality headset some 12 months after it was originally released. The headset will be compatible with the next-generation of Daydream-ready phones, which now comprises 10 smartphones overall.
Virtual reality is becoming big business, and has almost broken into the mainstream with the relative success of Oculus Rift and the PlayStation VR headset. Nonetheless, some improvements to this technology will mean that the recommended retail price heads skywards, so expect to pay $99 for this device; twenty more than the retail price of the previous release.
