Google’s next phone is unsurprisingly a “Pixel 5a,” and leaked renders today suggest that the mid-ranger will be nearly identical to the Pixel 4a 5G.
Expand Expanding Close
For years, Google’s Pixel phones have enjoyed three years of updates, the longest lifespan this side of the Android/iOS divide. Now Samsung has pushed the envelope, offering four years of security updates, beating Google’s Pixel phones at their own game.
Expand Expanding Close
With Android Enterprise, Google for the past several years has worked to get devices running its operating system into more corporate environments. Made by Google is now advertising Pixel phones as “Built for business.”
Expand Expanding Close
Back in November — ahead of Black Friday, Google made its most affordable phone available in another color. After being unavailable for the past few weeks, the US Google Store has the Barely Blue Pixel 4a back in stock.
Expand Expanding Close
The Pixel Slate was announced in October 2018 as Made by Google’s first tablet and flagship, touch-only Chrome OS device. After two years, the Pixel Slate is now out of stock and discontinued in the three countries it launched in.
Expand Expanding Close
Made by Google is comprised of several brands, including Pixel, Pixelbook, and Nest. The latter — fully known as “Google Nest” — is losing its social media accounts next month in a move that will see all of Google hardware communicate from one unified account.
Expand Expanding Close
Since opening its first location in 2006, Google’s presence in Taiwan has grown significantly. To mark the 15th anniversary, Google has opened a new Taiwan campus that will be home to Pixel, Nest, and Chromecast hardware development.
Expand Expanding Close
The Home Max, and Mini, launched in 2017 as the first expansion of Google’s smart speaker lineup. After three years, Google has officially discontinued the Home Max as inventory is depleted.
Expand Expanding Close
Weezer today released the lead single off their upcoming album, OK Human. The music video for “All My Favorite Songs” features a surprising number of Google Pixel 5 devices in what’s presumably a promotion.
Expand Expanding Close
With the launch of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL in 2018, Made by Google also released a pair of USB-C earbuds for $29.99. After two years on sale, the Pixel USB-C earbuds are no longer available for purchase from the Google Store.
Expand Expanding Close
The Google Store serves as both the place to learn about Made by Google and the way to buy products directly. Made by Google is now advertising the Fitbit acquisition with a prominent store link.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in September, Google released an mmWave model of the Pixel 4a 5G that was only available at Verizon. Besides the cellular radio providing access to faster speeds, it’s available in “Clearly White,” though that color is now coming to the unlocked Pixel 4a 5G.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is planning to release a new Nest Hub in 2021, sources familiar with the matter tell 9to5Google. This upcoming Smart Display will feature sleep tracking powered by the company’s Soli radar technology.
Expand Expanding Close
Following our report that the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is out of stock, Google today confirmed that it’s sold out. Nest also revealed to 9to5Google that it’s planning a “new lineup of security cameras for 2021.”
Expand Expanding Close
Made by Google is kicking off the new year with a new device passing through the FCC. This filing suggests a new Nest Hub Smart Display.
Expand Expanding Close
The December Feature Drop introduced a trio of smart features to better optimize Pixel usage. Adaptive Charging, which has your Pixel top up slowly overnight to preserve battery health, is the most significant, but there are key requirements to get it to work.
Expand Expanding Close
The majority of Google’s apps are free (and more than usable with ads), but the company has built up a number of paid service tiers — led by YouTube — in recent years. The Google Store is now prominently advertising those offerings with a dedicated “Subscriptions” landing page.
Expand Expanding Close
Earlier this month, Google discontinued its three-year-old premium Assistant smart speaker after announcing a smaller alternative in September. The Google Home Max is now surprisingly in stock on the US Google Store.
Expand Expanding Close
Last month, Made by Google surprisingly launched its cheapest phone in a new color stateside. The Barely Blue Pixel 4a is now coming to Japan later this month.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s two budget “a” phones this year are universally praised and highly sought after. The Pixel 4a launched first in August, while the 4a 5G followed with the Pixel 5 this fall. With the holiday shopping season under way, a change to the Google Store reflects how the premium version of this year’s 4a series is getting much more prominent billing.
Expand Expanding Close
Black Friday is fully under way and Google is pushing older Pixel owners to upgrade to the Pixel 4a 5G with a notable trade-in promotion. The US Google Store has significantly increased the trade-in value of older Made by Google devices for this one phone.
Expand Expanding Close
While announced last October, the Not Pink Pixelbook Go did not become available until this January. At that, stock of the more interesting color was constrained to the higher-end and most expensive tiers, while it’s now completely unavailable.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides the price and ease of use, Google is positioning its new thermostat to first-time smart home buyers by offering it in four colors. One whimsical aspect of the Nest Thermostat’s design is the use of color-matching batteries.
Expand Expanding Close
While the Pixel 5 is currently Google’s en vogue phone, its design was very much introduced with the Pixel 4a in August. A durability test today shows that the Pixel 4a’s plastic design is quite resilient, especially compared to other budget phones this year.
Expand Expanding Close