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Google Pixel 2

296 'Google Pixel 2' stories February 2017 - October 2017
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Google officially unveiled the Pixel 2 this morning but it was quickly overshadowed by the Pixel 2 XL. While the latter features many of the same features as the Pixel 2, this handset isn’t much of a step up compared to last year’s model. Here are the Google Pixel 2’s official specs…

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Full hardware specifications for Google’s Pixel 2:

Google Pixel 2 Specification
Android version Android 8.0 Oreo w/ Google UI
Screen size 5-inch AMOLED
Resolution 1920×1080 pixels
PPI  441 ppi
Primary camera  12.2MP, f/1.8, 1.4μm pixels, OIS, EIS, PDAF, LDAF
Front camera  8MP, f/2.4, 1.4μm pixels, fixed focus
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Storage 64GB or 128GB
Expandable storage up to N/A
RAM 4GB
Battery 2,700mAh (nonremovable)
Ports USB Type-C
Weight 143 g
Dimensions 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm
Other features IP67 water and dust resistant, rear-facing fingerprint sensor, dual front-facing speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, Hi-Fi codecs, USB-PD, 18W rapid Charging
Color options Kinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly White
Carrier availability Shipping October 17
Base price off-contract ~$650
In-box accessories TBD

Pixel Visual Core is Google’s first custom SOC, will make Pixel 2 photos even better in Android 8.1

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 17 2017 - 6:55 am PT
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Google is able to take such fantastic photos on the Pixel 2 because of a fine-tuned mix of physical hardware (camera lens and sensor), software (enabling HDR+), and machine learning. Even in its current form, the new phones take some of the best photos on a phone.

But the HDR+ process on the Pixel 2 and 2 XL uses a lot of processing power when capturing stunning photos with almost no latency, so Google made Pixel Visual Core, its first consumer-facing system-on-a-chip, which will help it process photos faster and more efficiently.


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Google Pixel 2 Initial Review: Buy the bigger one [Video]

Avatar for Oct 17 2017 - 6:03 am PT
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Last year’s Pixel and Pixel XL replaced the Nexus lineup as the de facto flagships for stock Android purists, and they ended up being some of the best phones on the market. Naturally, we were excited to get our hands on their sequels, and I’ve spent the weekend with the Pixel 2.

Our full review is coming soon, but in the meantime we wanted to give some of our early impressions on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL — and I was tasked with sharing my thoughts on the smaller one.


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Here’s a list of every song the Google Pixel 2’s ‘Now Playing’ feature can recognize [Google: Much more than 17K]

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 16 2017 - 4:28 pm PT
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One of the Google Pixel 2’s best new features is its ambient music recognition technology. What’s impressive is that the handset itself will be able to identify almost any song and without the need to communicate with any external servers. Thanks to a developer, we now have a list containing all 17,000+ songs the Pixel 2 is currently capable of recognizing…


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Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL: How to take a screenshot

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 14 2017 - 6:30 am PT
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As with any Android smartphone, it’s pretty easy to capture screenshots on the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL. Unlike other OEMs, though, there aren’t any fancy ways to capture scrolling screenshots or create animated GIFs. Instead, Google sticks to the tried and true method of using the physical power and volume buttons as well as the Assistant to help capture content on your screen…


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How to replicate the Pixel 2’s new calendar widget on any Android phone using ‘Another Widget’

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 11 2017 - 11:40 am PT
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At last week’s Made by Google event, we saw two new Pixels, both sporting a new calendar widget. What’s nice about this widget is its sheer simplicity, prominently showing the user’s next calendar event, its scheduled duration, and the current weather.

Since we don’t know if this will make its way to other phones, an app developer has recreated the widget for all to use on any Android smartphone…


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Shazam for Android

How to replicate the Pixel 2’s ‘Now Playing’ feature on any Android smartphone w/ Shazam

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 11 2017 - 5:22 am PT
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With the launch of the Pixel 2, Google is introducing a new always-listening feature called “Now Playing” that continually listens for and identifies music playing nearby. The best part about it is that the song’s title and artist information automatically show up on your lockscreen. As we don’t know if this feature will ever come to any other Android devices, there is a way to use an app to replicate most of these always-listening music recognition features…


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Made by Google pop-up stores will open in NYC and LA on October 19

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 8 2017 - 11:17 pm PT
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Just like last year, Google is going to be hosting two pop-up stores, one in New York City and another in Los Angeles, to show off and sell some of its new Made by Google products. The search giant hasn’t provided many details about the stores themselves, but we do know that doors will open starting on October 19…


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First unedited Google Pixel 2 photos and videos look absolutely stunning [Gallery]

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 7 2017 - 2:30 pm PT
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Just like with the original, Google is making some pretty big claims surrounding the Pixel 2’s new camera. The 12MP sensor has a lower aperture this year and includes OIS, but Google’s software is what will make or break it. Now, we’re getting a first look at the shots this phone is capable of, and they’re drop-dead gorgeous.


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Google Pixel 2 phones can automatically toggle ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode while in a car

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 7 2017 - 2:12 pm PT
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There were quite a few features on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL that flew under the radar, and some of the newer ones are powered by the company’s new “Ambient Services” app. While we’ve yet to try it in action and see all it has to offer, one feature quietly shown off by the app’s Play Store listing is the ability to toggle a “Do Not Disturb” mode while you are driving.


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Latest Action Launcher update brings the Pixel 2’s new design to any Android phone, here’s how to set it up

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 6 2017 - 3:21 pm PT
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At the Made by Google event earlier this week, the search giant announced two new Pixel smartphones which showed an updated Pixel Launcher. The most notable difference was the search bar which got moved below the app dock. Thankfully, one of the most customizable launchers available for download has already been updated to allow users to bring this look to any Android phone…


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Opinion: Pixel 2 and 2 XL’s numerous design discrepancies feel like a weird step back to the Nexus days

Avatar for Stephen Hall Oct 6 2017 - 10:27 am PT
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Google’s entry-level flagship this year doesn’t have the flashy new design of its bigger sibling, which is rightfully giving the company just a bit of bezel shame. In response, Google’s doing a really good job of pretending like the smaller Pixel 2 doesn’t exist. At the company’s event on October 4th, the front of the device was almost nowhere to be seen except in the hands-on area. And in the Google Store’s marketing images, you have to do lots of scrolling before you see an image of the front of the Pixel 2.

It’s obvious that going with a “classic” design (I’ll be generous) for their $649 entry-level offering is something they’re not quite proud of, but I think there’s something else — which you can’t really sense or feel unless you were at the company’s event Wednesday — that Google should be even more ashamed of. In short, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are even more physically different than you think.


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LifeProof Frē for Pixel 2 / 2 XL pre-orders open, first waterproof Made for Google case

Avatar for Justin Duino Oct 5 2017 - 1:53 pm PT
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After listening to complaints about the lack of water resistance last year, Google made sure that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were IP67 water and dust resistant. While this rating is meant to protect the handsets in up to 1m of water submersion for 30 minutes, it isn’t complete protection. If you need something that offers more to protect your phone, LifeProof has something that might work……


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You’ll be able to charge the Pixel 2 phones even faster with a 27W USB-C charger

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 5 2017 - 7:02 am PT
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[Update: Benson Leung shared in a blog post update that 27W charging isn’t supported after all. “I’d like to clarify this post as Pixel 2 and 2 XL will not be able to support 27W charging. While the phones may be able to negotiate more power using USB Power Delivery when connected to a higher wattage charger, there are other factors which may limit the speed at which it charges the battery. The included 18W charger in the box will provide optimal charging for Pixel 2 and 2 XL. Sorry for the confusion!”]

Google is (mostly) good at using USB-C and taking advantage of what it can do, and the Pixel phones are a big part of that. Last year’s devices were able to fast charge over USB-C without any proprietary Qualcomm tech, and the Pixel 2 family can do the same. New this year, though, is expanded compatibility with even faster chargers.


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Here are all the ‘Made For Google’ headphones currently compatible with the Pixel 2

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 5 2017 - 6:21 am PT
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Google’s second-generation of Pixel smartphones finally became official today and as we previously reported — in March — neither of them have headphone jacks. Obviously, the internet is up in arms about it. Google, meanwhile, is trying to smooth things over with its new “Made for Google” program which, you guessed it, includes a pretty nice selection of Pixel 2-compatible headphones.

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Google’s Pixel 2 USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter costs over twice as much as Apple’s

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 4 2017 - 1:53 pm PT
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The headphone jack on the Pixel 2 is gone — we have to deal with that if we buy the phone. We don’t have to like it, but it’s a fact at this point. As with everyone else who has ditched the headphone jack, Google is including an adapter in the box for free, but that adapter costs a lot more than it should if you need a spare…


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Google Pixel 2 tidbits: Ship times already slipping, OIS details, 3 years of backup/updates, T-Mobile promo, more

Avatar for Ben Schoon Oct 4 2017 - 1:17 pm PT
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Google’s Pixel 2 event earlier today gave us a ton of information about the company’s two latest flagships, but as with any hardware event, you can’t learn everything from what’s said on stage. Since Google wrapped up its event, we’ve been digging into some of the details and discovered a few bits of information you might not have known…


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