Made by Google
While Google’s self-branded hardware lineup is relatively young, the company is today announcing a huge commitment going forward. By 2020, all products Google ships will be carbon neutral, and all Made by Google products will include recycled materials by 2022, with some starting later this year.
Over the past few weeks, details have slowly been leaking out about a Chromebook codenamed “Atlas,” which we believe to be the next iteration of Made by Google Chrome OS hardware. We’ve now uncovered Geekbench benchmarks for Atlas, showing that the Pixelbook 2 candidate’s underlying hardware will be almost identical to that of the Pixel Slate.
A new device has been submitted for FCC certification today, having many of the hallmarks of a Made by Google Chromebook, further hinting at the arrival of a Pixelbook successor this year.
For the last year or so, we’ve been following the development of a Chromebook, codenamed “Atlas,” which has all the normal traits of a Made by Google device. A new image has surfaced of the “Atlas” Chromebook, giving us another preview of what Google may have in store for us later this year.
Back in April, Google opened an exhibit at Milan Design Week focused on exploring the impact of design on your body. The company today published a video diving into “A Space for Being” that provides a close look at the “specially-made wristband.”
The goal of a “circular economy” is to minimize waste and maximize the use of finite resources. Google is now setting out to apply this economic system to its operations, products, and supply chains with the “Circular Google” initiative.
In late May, the FCC revealed a new Nest Cam Indoor amid earlier rumors that an updated security camera would be available as part of Made by Google’s 2019 lineup. A new Nest Cam Outdoor today arrived at the regulatory agency.
At I/O 2019, Google announced that all its smart home products going forward would be branded “Google Nest.” The first new product to launch is the Nest Hub Max this summer, while the Home Hub was immediately rebranded. Retail boxes are now being updated with stickers to publicize the Google Nest Hub brand in the real world.
Google is taking proactive measures to counter the possible effects of the U.S. trade war with China. A report today revealed that Google is shifting Nest and server hardware manufacturing meant for the United States out of China into Taiwan.
Just yesterday, a possible Nest Cam Indoor successor passed through the FCC. A Google “wireless device” with only Bluetooth connectivity is now up for certification at the regulatory agency.
With Google I/O’s hardware launches now weeks behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the next Made by Google products. This morning, another Google device has passed through the FCC, and it appears to likely be a Google Nest product.
You probably missed it, but back in April, Google’s hardware division very quietly mentioned that it created a new product. In announcing an exhibit at a Milan design conference, the company briefly detailed a “specially-made wristband that measures biological responses.”
Especially following the emergence of a mysterious “wireless device” from Made by Google last week, we can’t help but explore the natural question: Could this Google health band become an actual product?
With any at scale and closely watched hardware launch, hardware defects and other problems will come to light as more people receive devices. For example, some Pixel 3a owners over the weekend reported random shutdowns, while others are now encountering crooked cutouts for the USB-C and speaker grill.
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL launched at I/O 2019 with hardware SVP Rick Osterloh framing the devices as allowing “high-end experiences at a more accessible price point.” An interview with a Google product manager last week provides more insight into the phones, including the decision to include the headphone jack and how Google’s manufacturing capabilities have improved.
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL went immediately on sale at physical and online retailers after Google announced them on stage at I/O 2019 on Tuesday. Similarly, the marketing campaign is in full swing with one billboard from Made by Google driving home camera performance and price versus “Phone X.”
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Google last week teased “something big” for the “Pixel universe” on May 7th. Rumored to be the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, a fun video of the current Pixel 3 used by people in the Marvel world was also released. Early moviegoers now report seeing that latest Made by Google flagship in Avengers: Endgame.
With the Home Hub, Google created a Smart Display that was ideal for night stands by forgoing a camera, and doubling as a great picture frame. At I/O 2019, Google announced the Nest Hub Max with a larger screen and focus on security by integrating a Nest Cam.
With I/O 2019 kicking off in a few hours, a Google-made Assistant Smart Display has passed through the FCC. This is very likely the rumored Nest Hub Max that Made by Google is set to announce this morning.
With I/O 2019 kicking off in less than 24 hours, leaks of the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are ramping up. This morning we received additional confirmation of T-Mobile availability, and a spec sheet for the smaller mid-range phone has now emerged.
Ahead of hardware announcements at I/O 2019, the Made by Google division was shrouded by poor Pixel 3 sales in Q1 2019. Rick Osterloh in an interview discussed what’s happening to the premium smartphone market, and shared his outlook on the company’s failed products and future outlook.
This morning, retail packaging for the Pixel 3a leaked corroborating screen size, pricing, and the “Purple-ish” variant. Another leak today includes images of all three colors, and marketing copy that Google will be using to highlight the key features.
Mother’s Day in the U.S. is next Sunday, May 12th and Google has a clever ad that ties into its iconic “Hey Google” hotword. The one minute clip is accompanied by a Google Store sale on Home products, including a return of the $99 Home Hub.
With the official US launch of the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL set for May 7 during Google I/O 2019, we are merely days away. We were expecting an Indian launch for the mid-range handsets, and thanks to online retailer Flipkart, it seems we have an official Pixel 3a launch date of May 8 in the country (via FoneArena).