Tech tipsters have gone into overdrive ahead of Google’s big event next week. The search engine giant will announce its next-gen Pixel 2 smartphones at the SFJazz Center in San Francisco on October 4th. The event is set to start at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, and here’s how you can watch the livestream. Just a day after Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii revealed tons of Google Pixel 2 details in a series of tweets, folks at XDA Developers have come up with a new set of leaks.
Google Pixel 2 camera to have Portrait Mode
The original Pixel phones were well received around the world. So, expectations are high for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Listing the Google Pixel 2 details obtained from reliable sources, XDA Developers reports that the device will sport dual stereo speakers on the front to enhance the audio experience. The larger Pixel 2 XL will also get the feature. XDA Developers also confirmed many features leaked by Artem Russakovskii.
Both the Pixel phones debuting next week will have a single camera on the back. Google seems reluctant to join the dual camera race. The search engine giant has still managed to offer Portrait Mode on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, reports XDA Developers. It will focus on the subject and blur out the background to produce portrait images similar to the iPhone 8 Plus.
Since the Pixel 2 will lack a telephoto lens, Google will achieve the bokeh effect through software. Google proved its mettle in the camera technology with the original Pixel, which retained the title of the world’s best smartphone camera for almost a year despite fierce competition. It remains the king in video shooting, beating both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.
Revamped Pixel Launcher, Music Recognition tech
Sources told XDA Developers that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL would have a new Pixel Launcher. Google had accidentally shown off the new Pixel Launcher at its I/O conference earlier this year. The company has completely overhauled the Home Page, and moved the search bar from top to the bottom of the screen. If you don’t like the new one, you always have the option to install another one.
Other Google Pixel 2 details include a new always listening “Music Recognition” technology similar to the one offered by Shazam. It will automatically recognize the music playing nearby and show you the title and album on the lock screen. If you often fail to recognize the songs playing in a cafe or on the car radio, this feature is for you. However, people a bit concerned about privacy might be able to disable the Music Recognition feature.
XDA Developers confirmed that the Pixel 2 will have a squeezable frame that will launch Google Assistant. We have come across plenty of rumors that users will be able to activate Google Assistant simply by squeezing the phone’s frame. It would work similar to the Edge Sense on HTC U11. However, Google is going to call it Active Edge. The Pixel 2 XL will also have a squeezable frame.
The Pixel 2 would feature an ambient Always-On Display mode. The feature was first spotted in July in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code. Artem Russakovskii has learned from his sources that the Pixel 2 will have a flat display, unlike the Galaxy Note 8’s dual-edge display or the iPhone ‘s 2.5D glass. The upcoming Pixel phones will also be water- and dust-resistant.
No headphone jack
Any more Google Pixel 2 details? Yes, any leak is incomplete without mentioning the 3.5mm audio jack. The search engine giant is removing the traditional headphone jack from its next-gen flagship. It will include a USB to 3.5mm dongle in the Pixel 2 box. Google is also working on wireless headphones code-named “Bisto,” but they are likely to be sold separately.
Earlier this month, Droid-Life reported that the new Pixel phones would be available in 64GB and 128GB storage options. They both will feature 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 835 processor, and run Android Oreo right out of the box. They will have a glass and metal design similar to the last year’s models. The regular Pixel 2 will come in Just Black, Clearly White, and Kinda Blue colors. Its larger sibling will come in Just Black and Black & White options.
How much will Google Pixel 2 cost?
Sources told Droid-Life that the Pixel 2 would be priced at $649 for the 64GB version and $749 for the 128GB model. The Pixel 2 XL will have a starting price of $849 for the 64GB variant and $949 for the 128GB model. The most expensive Pixel phone will still be more affordable than Apple’s 10th-anniversary iPhone X, which costs $999 for 64GB and $1,149 for 256GB model.
A few days ago, The Guardian reported that Google will unveil many more products at the next week’s event than just Pixel 2. It will reportedly introduce a new smart speaker called Google Home Mini that would cost around $50. The Home Mini will be Google’s answer to Amazon’s Echo Dot. It will also announce a new Chromebook called PixelBook at the event.
