Google is expected to announce a new PixelBook at its October 9 event. Early rumors and leaks point at a detachable 2-in-1 design which means the PixelBook 2 will also double as a ChromeOS tablet just like the Microsoft Surface Book doubles as a Windows tablet. A new leak might be our first look at this new PixelBook or Google’s first ChromeOS tablet.

The leak comes from About Chromebooks, a site that covers anything related to ChromeOS. Apparently, they found in a code commit that ChromeOS tablets will gain support for keyboard docks in the near future. The commit description even mentions the keyboard bases will have a dedicated Google Assistant button and a “Hamburger” or options button. The code commit also revealed some of the brands that would make these keyboards, one of them is Brydge, a manufacturer of premium keyboards for iPads.

Yesterday, Brydge accidentally posted two unreleased keyboards on their Shopify page which are for Google devices (read ChromeOS tablets). Renders of one of the keyboards named Wallaby is attached to a tablet said to be Google’s ChromeOS tablet codenamed “Nocturne”.

Wallaby has a design similar to the Bryde keyboard in this video below which allows the keyboard and tablet to be opened and closed like it’s a laptop.

https://youtu.be/0urJKIDjOVs

The tablet has a USB-C port on the left but Nocturne is expected to come with two USB-C ports. It also has dual front-facing speakers which are located on the right/bottom and left/top bezels.

Another render showing the keyboard and tablet from the top shows the tablet has a small indentation on the left. That indentation is rumored to be a fingerprint scanner. Nocturne is said to also have a fingerprint scanner and this gif from 9to5Google shows the fingerprint scanner is in a similar position.

The keyboard itself comes in blue but we can’t say if there will be other colors at launch. There is a moderately sized trackpad and the keys do not look cramped. You can also spot the hamburger key (after the volume up button) and the Google Assistant key (between the function and alt keys).

The second keyboard is named Goanna and is much wider like a desktop keyboard. It doesn’t have a trackpad but has a hamburger key and Google Assistant key like Wallaby. It comes in the same blue color.

READ MORE: Google Home Hub leaks, looks like a mashup of a tablet and the Google Home Max

We still have about three weeks before Google’s event, so more details about the ChromeOS tablet and other keyboards should surface.

(Source, Via)

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Google has officially revealed a date for its launch event. The date is October 9 and the venue is in New York. The venue is surprising since Google is known to host its launch events in California.

While the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the expected devices to be announced on that day, we are sure those are just two of all the new hardware that will be unveiled. Below is a list of other products that will also likely be announced:

1.Android TV Dongle (Chromecast Ultra’ successor)

Earlier this year, a Chromecast-like dongle was seen at the FCC. The dongle has Google’s “G” logo on it and an HDMI-out connector at one end. The FCC document referred to it as the “4K ATV” stick which means it supports streaming in 4K.

It has 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage and is powered by an Amlogix S905X processor. The dongle also has a remote similar to that of the Mi Box but with a dedicated Google Assistant button. Our guess is that this is the successor to the Chromecast Ultra but with Android TV on it so you have no need for your phone, tablet, or PC.

2. Mi Box 2 (Mi Box 4)

The Mi Box is the Android TV version of the Mi Box 3 that is sold in China. Announced back in 2016, Google (and Xiaomi) may announce a successor at the October 9 event.

The new box which may be officially called the Mi Box 2 was seen at the FCC a few months ago. It has the same design as the Mi Box 4 sold in China but comes with a different remote. The remote has a dedicated Google Assistant key like that of the TV dongle above but also adds a dedicated Netflix button and another button for Live TV.

The design of the box and the new remote seems to be the biggest upgrades as the internals don’t seem to have changed at all. It still has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. It also keeps the full-sized USB port in case you want to connect a USB flash drive or a wireless gamepad.

A test photo of the device at the FCC shows an interface similar to that of Android TV 8.0 Oreo. This is not surprising since Android TV 9.0 Pie isn’t yet available. By the way, Google has made a rule that Android TV boxes launched after December 15 must come with Android Pie.

3. A new Google Home with a display

A number of manufacturers have released smart speakers with displays. Lenovo’s Smart Display (8” and 10” models) and the JBL Link View are two examples. However, Google may launch its own smart display at the event.

News of Google’s own smart display was first reported last month by Nikkei Asian Review. The smart display will launch before the holidays and is expected to challenge Amazon’s own Echo Show. Google is said to have set a target of 3 million shipments for the first batch.

The device which will likely be made by Taiwan’s Quanta Computer will be the latest member of the Google Home family when it launches.

4. Pixelbook 2

The Pixelbook is still one of the best Chromebooks on the market but it is already a year old which means its internals are a bit outdated. A new Pixelbook is said to be in development and goes by the codename “Nocturne”. It is said to be detachable, allowing it to be used as a ChromeOS tablet. Nocturne has also been reported to have a fingerprint scanner, a first for a Chrome OS device.

With respect to specs, Nocturne has a 2400 x 1600 screen, two USB-C ports, and is missing a MicroSD card slot.

However, it isn’t the only ChromeOS device in development by Google. A second device codenamed “Meowth” was also discovered in Chromium source code. It has been reported as being detachable and working with the same keyboard base as “Nocturne”  and goes by the codename “Whiskers”. Meowth has also been reported to be less powerful than “Nocturne”.

The keyboard dock is detachable and has a backlight which adjusts automatically based on ambient light. It can also be folded to serve as a stand when “Nocturne” or “Meowth” is in tablet form. When in this form, the keys and touchpad are automatically disabled.

We don’t have further proof to back any of these findings yet but there is a possibility Google may announce at least one new Pixelbook.

READ MORE: No Pixel smartwatch(es) this year says Google

Conclusion

The launch event will begin at 11 AM Eastern Time and a live stream will be available on the Made by Google YouTube channel for those who will be watching from home.

Which of these devices are you most excited about and which will you be buying?

(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

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Google’s upcoming hardware devices — Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have been in news from quite some time. However, it’s not just the smartphones that the company is planning to launch later this year. According to the new reports, Google is also planning to launch the second-generation Pixelbook this year.

Evan Blass tweeted that Google is planning to launch a second-generation Pixelbook with smaller bezels, which will start shipping before the end of this year. This doesn’t seem surprising given that the company has been offering discounts on the first-gen device.

The next-generation Pixelbook will be unveiled along with Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones. Along with that, rumors also suggest that the company could announce a Pixel Watch as well as a new generation of Pixel Buds.

The first-generation Chrome OS-running device from Google is among the best Chromebooks device and offers killer performance with amazing keyboard and a sturdy build. However, the bezels on the device look bit dated and the smaller bezels on the second-gen Pixelbook will be a welcome change.

Read More: Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL Design Revealed Through 360-Degree Renders

The first-generation Pixelbook was pretty expensive but we’ll have to wait a bit longer to know if the company reduces the pricing for the upcoming device. While it still seems like a speculation at this time, there’s a good possibility that the second-generation Pixelbook is coming.

We are expecting to see Google’s lineup of hardware devices for the year 2018, including the Pixel 3-series smartphones, to get unveiled in October, approximately a month after Apple launches its next-generation iPhone.

(Source)

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The Pixelbook is one of the most beautiful devices made by Google. It is also one of the the most expensive. While it is just six months old, the Pixelbook may be getting a successor soon.

A Reddit user found a code in Chromium OS that mentions a new Chrome device codenamed “Atlas” with a 3840 x 2160 display. Although, there isn’t an explicit mention it is a Pixelbook, the high resolution display isn’t unusual for Google.

The Pixelbook has a 12.3” 2400 x 1600 display. So a successor with a much improved display can’t be ruled out. There is however a possibility that Google isn’t working on a successor yet and this may be from a different manufacturer.

READ MORE: Google Pixel Mid-Range Phone May Launch in July in India

Nevertheless, those who like the Pixelbook wouldn’t say no to a newer model with a 4K display. We wouldn’t mind if the display is detachable too, so it also functions as a ChromeOS tablet like the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Oh! A fingerprint scanner will be nice since the Pixelbook doesn’t have one.

(Source, Via)

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Back in 2016, news of a new Operating System by Google surfaced on the internet. Called Fuchsia, the OS is based on a new microkernel called Zircon instead of Linux like Android and ChromeOS. There were reports that Fuchsia would replace Android but Google has not confirmed that.

Fast forward to January 2018; Google released a guide on how to run Fuchsia on the Pixelbook and the team at Ars Technica made a video giving us a look at the new operating system.

The over 8-minute long video shows a number of features most of which are not working since the OS is unfinished. However, there are some pretty cool features.

On the lock-screen, there is a Fuchsia logo at the top left corner that lets you switch between phone mode and laptop mode. You can also switch the orientation from portrait to landscape or vice versa when in phone mode.

There are a number of buttons at the bottom right corner such as Login, Wi-Fi, and Guest. Ars Technica says only “Guest” works. Click on it and you get taken to the homescreen.

The homescreen is sort of a blend of Google Now and your regular homescreen. Above the Google search bar are icons for time, date, WiFi (doesn’t work), and battery level (works). There is also a Fuchsia button which opens up a quick settings panel.

The OS also supports split-screen multitasking in both vertical and horizontal modes as well as a new tab mode.

Most of the features do not work but you get an idea of what is to come when Google eventually finishes it. However, there are reports that this may not happen soon.

READ MORE: Google and Tencent Form Alliance, Agree To Share Patents

The kernel it is built-on is still new compared to Linux which is decades old. Also Google is doing pretty well with Android with more than 80% market share, so it is in no rush to push out Fuchsia OS. You can watch the video at the source link below.

(Source, Via)

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Google finally held its much-anticipated hardware press event today and unveiled a whole lot of products including the Pixel 2 phones. One of the unique products announced at the event is the Pixelbook laptop which was accompanied by a stylus pen which it dubbed Pixelbook Pen. The Pixelbook doesn’t come as much of a surprise as the Home Max smart speaker which had not appeared in leaks before now, at least only the Home Mini was expected. The Google Pixelbook and Clip camera had earlier appeared in a retailer inventory spotted a couple of days back.

The Pixelbook is touted as Google’s thinnest and lightest laptop till date, weighing just 1.1kg (about 2.4 pounds) and having a 10.33mm thickness. The new Google laptop comes with a 12.3-inch Quad HD LCD touchscreen display with 235 PPI on top an aluminium unibody. The notebook features rotatable hinges which can spin around 360 degrees, thereby turning the notebook laptop into a tablet. The 2-in-1 laptop packs a durable battery which Google says can last up to 10 hours of continuous usage and that is not all, it has support for fast charging which can deliver a battery capacity that can last up to 2 hours in just 15 minutes. The Pixelbook features a variant with an Intel Kaby Lake Core i5, 8GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage and another with the same processor but 256 GB of storage. There is also a topmost variant with an Intel Core i7 chip, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB. The device also packs a backlit keyboard that illuminates in low light.

One thing that stood out on all the products Google announced is their AI capabilities which integrates AI with software and hardware which Google claims was designed from the inside out, thus giving the AI deep learning capability. One way this is integrated on the Pixelbook is in the aspect of having Google Assistant which can be accessed by just saying “Ok Google” or by pressing the dedicated Assistant key. The Smart Assistant allows users to set a reminder, look up a score of your favourite sports team, find an email, and do other stuff on their notebook. The Pixelbook also smartly connects automatically to the Pixel phone’s mobile data in the absence of a Wi-Fi network. This saves users the stress of turning on the hotspot on the Pixel phone.

Pixelbook Pen

The Pixelbook Pen is designed as an accessory to work with the Pixelbook touchscreen display. The $99 Pixelbook Pen was designed in partnership with Japanese tablet manufacturer, Wacom and it has 10 ms of latency, 60 degrees of angular awareness and over 2,000 of pressure sensitivity. You can use it for various tasks including circling an image or text in order to look up a word or find out more about a picture.

Pricing & Availability

The Pixelbook and Pixelbook Pen will be available first in the US, Canada and the UK. As for the pricing, the laptop starts at $999 for the variant with an Intel Kaby Lake Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The higher Pixelbook with 256 GB of storage will sell for $1,199. The topmost variant with an Intel Core i7 chip, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage costs $1,699. Pre-orders for all variants has commenced and the notebook will ship on October 31.

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The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL may be the highlight of the Google event tomorrow, but those are just two of the products Google will announce tomorrow. A new Chromebook called the Pixelbook is also expected to launch and details of the device have been seen in a reseller’s inventory listing.

The Pixelbook which will be convertible will come with a 12.3-inch display. This is a smaller than the 12.85-inch 2560 x 1700 displays of the 2013 and 2015 Chromebooks.

There will be three storage configurations – 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. There is no info on if they will also differ with respect to RAM but all three will have an Intel Core i5 processor.

The Pixelbook will start at $1,199 and go up to $1,749. Those prices do not include a stylus Google is calling the Pixelbook Pen which has tilt support and no lag with a $99 price tag.

Another device seen on the inventory list is one that is pretty much unknown at this time save for the name “Google Clips”. As you can see in the image above, the device’s product number follows that of the Pixelbooks.

READ MORE: Google Pixel 2 Launch Event to Introduce Google Assistant Enabled Bluetooth Earbuds

Google Clips is classified as a computer accessory, meaning it may be used in addition with an existing device. Other interesting finds seen on the list include the new Google Daydream View which will come in Grey, Blue, and Red, and the Google Home Mini.

(Source, via)

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Google has a big launch event scheduled for tomorrow at San Francisco. Apart from unveiling Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones, the search engine giant will be also showcasing other devices. Here is what our readers can expect from Google Pixel 2 launch event:

How to Watch Google Pixel 2 Launch Event?

As mentioned above, the event will take place at San Francisco and it will begin at 9 AM PST in the U.S. The event will be also livestreamed on the official “Made by Google” YouTube channel.

Viewers in the U.K. can view the livestream at 5 PM BST. In India, it will be viewable at 9:30 PM IST. In China, the Pixel 2 launch event livestream will be viewable at 12 AM on Oct. 5.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Plenty of information on the Google Pixel 2 duo have been revealed ahead of its launch. Readers can visit the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL rumor roundup article to known everything on their expected specifications, features, and pricing. Earlier today, reliable tipster Evan Blass has revealed the leaked press renders of the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. The 64 GB and 128 GB Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are rumored to carry respective pricing of $649/$749 and $849/$949.

Google Pixelbook and Pixel Pen

The rumored Pixelbook is a convertible device that can be used as a laptop as well as a tablet. It is speculated as a premium device that will be running on Chrome OS. Its 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB models are tipped to arrive with respective pricing of $1,199, $1,399 and $1,749. Google is rumored to sell an optional Pixel Pen stylus worth $99 for the Pixelbook.

Google Home Mini and Daydream View VR

A smaller version of Google Home smart speaker dubbed as Home Mini is also pegged to debut tomorrow. Unlike the regular Google Home, its mini version may not be a wireless device. The Google Assistant driven miniature smart speaker is expected to cost $49 and it is likely to come in multiple color options.

The Daydream View VR will be enhanced version of the original model that was launched in the previous year. It Is expected to arrive in multiple colors along with a motion controller. The device is expected to be priced at $99.

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Google’s upcoming Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL flagship phones are launching on Oct. 4. The rumor mill has revealed almost everything on the upcoming Pixel phones from their specifications to pricing. Here is a rumor roundup on the upcoming Pixel smartphones.

Design and Display

The leaked renders of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones have revealed that these phones will be arriving with a two-tone design on the back panel. One-third of the rear panel will be made up of glass and the remaining portion is pegged to be made up of metal. Last year’s Google Pixel phones had the fingerprint scanner placed inside the glass portion. However, upcoming Pixel 2 phones are rumored to feature the fingerprint reader in the metallic portion.

The IP67 certified chassis of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will protect them from damage from water and dust. The Pixel 2 duo are unlikely to feature the standard 3.5mm audio jack, but are pegged to arrive with dual stereo speakers on the front panel. The Pixel 2 is expected to come in colors like Kinda Blue, Just Black and Clearly White whereas the Pixel 2 XL may be available in Black & White and Just Black color variants.

The Pixel 2 is speculated to resemble the original Pixel phone whereas the Pixel 2 XL is rumored to have a full-screen design like the LG V30. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are rumored to feature a pressure-sensitive frame like HTC U11. The feature is rumored to be called Active Edge. Squeezing the Pixel 2 or 2 XL may allow users to perform certain actions such as activating Google Assistant and dismissing alarm.

The Pixel 2 is speculated to arrive with a 4.97-inch OLED display that will support FHD resolution. The Pixel 2 XL is rumored to be fitted with a 5.99-inch OLED display that may deliver a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 pixels along with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The Pixel 2 XL’s display is expected to support Wide Color Gamut and offer a screen-to-body ratio of around 80 to 85 percent.

Chipset, Storage and Battery

The Snapdragon 835 SoC along with 4 GB RAM are rumored to be present under the hood of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. These phones are expected to arrive in storage sizes like 64 GB and 128 GB. Like the original Pixel phones, the Pixel 2 duo are unlikely to feature a microSD card slot. The Pixel 2 may come equipped with a 2,700 mAh battery whereas the Pixel 2 XL may house a 3,520 mAh battery.

Camera and Software

There is no information available on the exact camera configuration of the cameras that will be available on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. However, both the phones are going to feature the same rear and front cameras. The rear cameras of both phones are speculated to carry support for Optical Image Stabilization.

The Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL are rumored to arrive with Android 8.1 Oreo preinstalled. It is expected to bring some new features like a redesigned Pixel launcher, portrait mode feature on Google camera app, and Always-On Display. Google Lens that will allow users to point the cameras of the Pixel 2 phones to any object to get relevant information is speculated as one of the killer features of Pixel 2 duo.

The presence of e-SIM inside the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will allow users to easily switch between networks of different carriers of the U.S. through Project Fi. The search engine will be providing free unlimited storage on Google Cloud until 2023 for Pixel 2 and 2 XL buyers.

Pricing, Launch Event and Livestreaming

The 64 GB and 128 GB Pixel 2 are rumored to be respectively priced at $649 and $749 and the same storage models of Pixel 2 XL are speculated to respectively cost $849 and $949.

The launch event of the Pixel 2 duo will be held at San Francisco begin on Oct. 4 at 9 AM PST in the U.S. The event will be livestreamed here. It can be viewed at 5 PM BST, 9:30 PM IST and 12 AM on Oct. 5 in China.

Through the Oct. 4 launch event, Google is also expected to unveil Google Pixelbook, Home Mini smart speaker and Daydream View VR and Google Assistant powered headphones. The rumor mill is also talking another Google phone called Ultra Pixel that is expected to rival with Apple iPhone X. However, it may not get unveiled with Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

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Google is holding a launch event on Oct. 4 to unveil the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 smartphones. The search engine giant is also speculated to unveil some other new devices such as Google Home Mini smart speaker, new Daydream View VR and one more thing… Google Pixelbook convertible laptop.

Google Pixelbook

According to Droid-Life, the next Chromebook from Google will be called Pixelbook. It will be a convertible device that will can be used as a laptop and also a tablet. The specifications of the Pixelbook is still under the wraps. Shown below is the first image of the Pixelbook.

The Pixelbook will be coming in three storage sizes such as 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. These models will be respectively priced at $1,199, $1,399 and $1,749, claims the publication. The device will be available in Silver color only.

The Pixelbook would be supporting the Pixelbook Pen that will be sold separately with a pricing of $99. It will be a pressure-sensitive stylus that will carry tilt support and offer lag-free experience. More information on the specifications of the Google Pixelbook is expected to surface in the coming weeks.

Google Home Mini

The same publication claims that a smaller version of Google Home smart speaker will be also unveiling on Oct. 4. The device is expected to arrive in colors like Chalk, Charcoal and Coral and it would be priced at $49.

The leaked press renders of the Google Home Mini suggest that it won’t be a wireless device. It can be used for scheduling, setting reminders. grabbing news and more. The four dots that can be seen above the device will provide feedback when the user interacts with it.

Google Daydream View VR

Google is also expected to announce a new VR device that will be called Daydream View VR. It will be an improved edition of the predecessor model. It is expected to carry a pricing of $99 and is expected to come in colors like Charcoal, Fog and Coral.

Read More: Fully Functional Google Lens Spotted Before Official Launch; Pegged to Debut with Upcoming Google Pixel 2

Google’s upcoming event will be held at 9 AM PT | 12 PM PT on Oct. 4. It will be held at the SF Jazz Center that is located San Francisco.

What do you think about the Google Pixelbook? Will it be able to give tough competition to the new iPad Pro? Share us your thoughts by posting your comments below.

(source 1, 2, 3)

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