For all the hype, the Google hardware launch this Tuesday is on the light side as far as I’m concerned. Unless there are some surprises, we are talking about a phone that looks the same, a tablet/pixel book, a Google Home Hub, a charging stand, and maybe some earphones – maybe. I think it’s a big miss not having an Android Watch this year. Google wanted to be in the hardware business and they are missing the opportunities. They have great platforms set up and could be running their own streamlined hardware.
The event kicks off October 9 in New York City and the thing I’m most excited to see is the Google Hub. Connecting all the digital toys we are collecting is a smart move. And if done right will give them the ecosystem that rivals Apple and Amazon doesn’t have.
Google Home Hub
The Google Home Hub is the latest addition to the Google Home lineup, and the first Smart Display from Google. Google announced the Smart Displays platform at CES 2018, and now they’re entering the fray themselves with an affordable option that looks a lot like the Google Homes that are already on the market — but with a display. It’s expected to cost $149.
Google Home Hub — Colors
Available in “Chalk” and “Charcoal,” the Google Home Hub will fit right into the Home speaker lineup. Matching the Home Max exactly, these colors are applied to the fabric and the plastic backing of the screen portion.
Google Home Hub — Specs
The touchscreen, it is 7-inches with Google not citing the exact resolution. The top bezel houses an ambient light and color sensor, but no front-facing camera.
On the audio front, Google only notes “full-range speakers for crystal clear sound” for the Home Hub and the standard Far-field microphones. Connectivity, as confirmed by the FCC, includes 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi in both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands for “high-performance streaming” and Bluetooth support.
The Home Hub is powered by a 15W power adapter that connects via a DC power jack. It weighs 16.9 oz (480g), while dimensions are 7.02-inch (178.5 mm) x 4.55-inch (118 mm) with a 2.65-inch (67.3 mm) depth.
OH – and Other stuff
Pixel Smartphones
The Pixel 3 will reportedly boast a 5.5-inch display, a Snapdragon 845 processor, a 12.2-megapixel camera on the rear, dual front-facing cameras (purportedly for better selfies), 4GB of memory, and will reportedly be available in 64GB and 128GB configurations. Naturally, the device will run Android 9 Pie and feature the same fingerprint sensor on the back.
The Pixel 3 XL will reportedly sport a 6.7-inch display with a 1440×2960 resolution, a glass back with a matte finish, and support for wireless charging. Of particular interest is that Pixel 3 XL leaks have shown a device with a notch design, a’la the iPhone X. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that Google has precise guidelines for how Android P should support notch design. Incidentally, the design will still have a “chin” and will not be as edgeless as the iPhone X. Camera wise, the Pixel 3 XL will reportedly be no different than the Pixel 3.
Google Pixel Slate
Word is that the Pixel Slate is a Chrome OS tablet hybrid–. The device will reportedly include a fingerprint sensor and a leaked marketing image (allegedly) can be seen below. Additionally, rumor has it that the device will boast the same resolution as the Google Pixelbook, will include one USB-C port, and will have memory configurations of 8GB and 16GB. Details regarding the Pixel Slate’s release date and pricing have yet to leak, so we’ll likely have to wait until the official Google event to learn more.