Google Pixel

The third quarter of 2017 saw Google acquire 2,000 HTC engineers and intellectual property, as well as the launch of their second Made by Google line of products. During today’s earnings call, Sundar Pichai talked more about that deal, as well as their broader hardware business.

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At its October 4th event, Google shared more details about Lens including how it would initially launch in Google Photos for Pixel devices. After launching with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google Lens is beginning to appear for those on last year’s devices as part of a “Pixel preview.”

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We published our initial reviews of both the smaller Pixel 2 and larger Pixel 2 XL this morning, and without surprise, we found pros and cons to both handsets. We also looked at if the Pixel 2 was enough of a reason to upgrade from the first generation, but now want your opinion on the subject.

Is the Google Pixel 2 enough of an upgrade over last year’s model to get you to shell out $650 or more for the latest and greatest?

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With a Motion photo, a short video that can be used to make clips and other animations is captured before and after every shot. Originally believed to be exclusive to Google Clips and the Pixel 2, a new version of the Google Camera app adds Motion to the original Pixel and Pixel XL.

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When last year’s Pixel launched, Google uploaded the phone’s Wallpapers app to the Play Store for any Android device to download. In the past year, the app has been steadily updated with new wallpapers and today is adding many more. Notably, some of the new categories are exclusive to Pixel devices.

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One way Google addressed the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Pixel 2 at their October 4th event was by introducing Pixel Buds. These Bluetooth headphones feature the Google Assistant built-in, Fair Pair, and a real-time translation feature.

Fortunately, Google has now confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that the neat latter feature will also work on last year’s Pixel and Pixel XL.

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Ahead of last week’s October 4th hardware event, Google uploaded the “Pixel Ambient Services” app responsible for the Pixel 2’s music recognition feature. Today, the battery app found on Pixel and Nexus devices has been similarly added to the Play Store for easier updates.

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The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are quickly selling out, to no one’s surprise, but as we covered last week, the original Pixel is still a phenomenal phone. Luckily, if you don’t need the new features and design of Google’s latest flagship, last year’s model is still available on the Google Store, and it has a new, lower price.

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It’s been almost exactly one year since Google held its first “Made by Google” event, featuring the first wave of products out of Google’s newly-found seriousness about hardware. This year we’re expecting refreshes for lots of products that debuted for the first time last year, and perhaps a few exciting surprises as well…
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While last month’s updates were slightly delayed, the October security patch is rolling out today on schedule. It contains the usual minor bug fixes and security patches for Pixel and Nexus devices.

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Alongside the launch of a Project Fi trade-in program last week, the Google Store added a similar offer to exchange old devices for a discount that goes towards buying a new Pixel device. The Google Store’s program has now added Pixel and Pixel XL trade-in values, which are likely in preparation for next week’s product announcements.

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Until recently, repeatedly tapping — but really violently smashing — the “Check for update” button in Settings would not push OTAs to your device any faster. However, Google has changed its update system so that tapping the button will actually offer the download.

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After several weeks of rumors, Google announced this evening an “agreement” that will see HTC employees who worked on the Pixel join the Alphabet company’s hardware division. The deal is valued at $1.1 billion, while HTC will continue to run its smartphone business.

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Following leaks of the Pixel 2, Pixelbook,  Google Home Mini, and a new Daydream View, the first official-looking renders of the Pixel 2 XL have been revealed. Along with the name and design, pricing and storage sizes have also been suggested in today’s leak.

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Last month, the Pixel 2 hit the FCC with a filing that revealed Android 8.0.1, as well as an “Active Edge” squeeze feature. Today, the larger Pixel 2 XL likely arrived at the US regulatory agency and confirmed its LG-made nature.

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For whatever reason, it seems like Google is having some trouble getting things right with the Oreo OTAs. Some models are delayed, others saw issues installing right off the bat, and now an OTA is popping up on some devices that says it will “update” to 7.1.2…

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