**** The Official Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL Thread ****

If the British Pound continues to strengthen against the US Dollar, I wonder if we might see some pricing relief in the UK when Google launches next month? Just prior to Brexit, the Pound traded at £ 1 = $ 1.50. After Brexit the Pound weakened to below $ 1.20 or a 20% fall. Most electronics goods are sourced and priced in Dollars.

When the first Pixel was released the Pound was at $ 1.27. Today it is trading 8% stronger at $ 1.36.
 
TheOracle said:
Software

Never underestimate or forget how nice the vanilla-esk Pixel rom is. I did tell my OCD that it was ok to double up on apps like samsung browser and chrome, or samsung gallery and google photos. Samsung has toned down their influence over the past few years but when you even slightly scratch the surface you can tell there is bloat and crap everywhere. Maybe not bloat, but things which just get in the way and annoy you. Take changing the wallpaer for example. The pixel has google wallpaper which is great. Samsung has a wallpaper picker at the top which takes up about 20% of the screen, then tons of themes they try and sell you for 99p. I found this all over the operating system and it really hurts the user experience for me. The biggest problem was that no matter what I tried to do, I was continually asked to perform an update.

The icing on the cake was when I started to realize that I was slowly turning it back into a Pixel (nova launcher, google apps etc etc), but it would never be the same as a pixel. Unfortunately google wallpaper crashed my s8 when I tried to apply a wallpaper. Grrrr

Final Thoughts

Ignore anything I have said over the past few days. Google can charge what they like for the Pixel 2 XL. I'm buying one. I know it will be fantastic.
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Really appreciate your sharing the two hour experience you had with the S8.

I bought into the concept of Pure Android/Stock Android years ago and have never looked back. It just seems to be a truth that I cannot shake. And nobody does it better than Google themselves. From Nexus to Pixel I have enjoyed the ideal of pure, unfiltered Android. I am not at all surprised that you found the S8 to struggle against the one year old Pixel.

In my view, Samsung would be better served to pay more attention to the stock Android experience because anything that messes with it is bound to create a sub-standard performance. Little things matter to me which I take for granted on my Pixel XL, like being able to swipe my fingerprint sensor to get to the notification bar and night light and changing colours throughout the system. Samsung appears to be spending most of its efforts in software in just trying to copy Google creating the dreaded bloatware.

Yes, I am looking forward to the Pixel 2 XL.
 
FishLicker said:
So I will await the Pixel 2 XL, only thing is, it would appear as though its not going to have dual cameras which would be off putting if so.
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Seems more info about the Pixel 2's coming through Google app 7.12 beta.

According to Android Police, decompiling this app reveals lines of code that hint at future features. These include:

"Active Edge" squeeze gesture. Squeezing the edge should enable certain actions. We have discussed this possible option before.

A more advanced version of Shortcuts called Routines, allowing you to set your own phrases to initiate multiple actions as opposed to a single action allowed with Shortcuts.

More voices for Assistant (eg male or female, etc).

New Hotwords for Assistant (beyond "OK Google" or "Hey Google").

"Sleep sounds" that shut off automatically when you fall asleep.

"Continue last played podcast" command may be enabled on Google Assistant and Google Home.
 
Mr_Cool said:
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/09/19/google-pixel-2-xl-exclusive/

Images of the rears of the Pixel's.
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QtJBshX.jpg
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I like the black and white. By the way, the rumoured cost in US is $849. By comparison in the US, the iPhone X is priced at $ 999 while the iPhone 8 plus is $ 799.
 
By the way, there is a rumour that Google will announce tomorrow that it will acquire HTC's smartphone business. Also there is the suggestion that the acquisition might include the Vive VR unit of HTC (some say this unit has the greatest potential for growth). Background: HTC is a struggling smartphone manufacturer which has lost money every quarter for the past 9 quarters. HTC and Google are of course Android partners but have a long history of collaboration on Nexus and Pixel Google phones. Google previously bought Motorola, before selling its smartphone business to Lenovo.

If the rumour proves correct, it will be interesting to learn why Google believes it can successfully turn-around HTC's smartphone business. I wonder what this says about the future of its relationships with other Android smartphone partners (esp Samsung)? Will Google manage HTC in the same arms-length way it managed Motorola, so as not to alienate other Android OEMs? Or does Google believe that with an imminent decision from the EU Competition Authority looming on Google's control of Android, does it want a Plan B? In such a case, what is the future of the Android alliance?

Clearly Google believes that Pixel is a long term project and it seeks a vertically integrated smartphone business again. The 4 October presentation will highlight how extensive Google's ambitions are in hardware products. What has Google learned from its ownership in Motorola that makes the timing right for an HTC acquisition?

Any thoughts?

http://focustaiwan.tw/search/201709200022.aspx?q=HTC
 
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AndyCr15 said:
Yeah, I'd heard HTC wanted to keep the Vive, which that tweet backs up.
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I believe that there are some big changes coming to Android and an acquisition of the smartphone manufacturing assets and design and research team at a minimum (await announcement today) is really just part of a bigger strategy. It might involve Project Fuschia at Google. If you do not recall it, here is Wikipedia description:

"
Fuchsia is a capability-based, real-time operating system (RTOS) currently being developed by Google. It was first discovered as a mysterious code post on GitHub in August 2016, without any official announcement. In contrast to prior Google-developed operating systems such as Chrome OS and Android, which are based on Linux kernels, Fuchsia is based on a new microkernelcalled "Zircon", derived from "Little Kernel",[1][2] a small operating system intended for embedded systems. Upon inspection, media outlets noted that the code post on GitHub suggested Fuchsia's capability to run on universal devices, from embedded systems to smartphones, tablets and personal computers. In May 2017, Fuchsia was updated with a user interface, along with a developer writing that the project was not a "dumping ground of a dead thing", prompting media speculation about Google's intentions with the operating system, including the possibility of it replacing Android.

It is distributed as free and open-source software under a mix of software licenses, including BSD 3 clause, MIT, and Apache 2.0."

Could Android become very different and get locked down? With the EU Commission breathing down Google's neck about Android at a time when Google sees a need for its software to be much more widely used, I believe Google sees the virtues of a full stack, vertical hardware and software integration.
 
uvarvu said:
Two years means three major releases right? Look at the 5X, it's two years old, came with Marshmallow and is upgradeable to Nougat and Oreo.
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And for those that find it useful, rumour has it that Google will soon announce a trade-in programme with the purchase of your new Pixel phone. Details scant at moment but might be confirmed at 4 October event.
 
Ready for delivery from store to your refrigerator using your smart home that includes your smart door lock and probably home security camera?

Coming to your mobile phone soon? Video shows how it works.

Walmart US has teamed with August smart lock/security camera for a small test in Silicon Valley. Recently Walmart and Google partnered using your Google Home to select your shopping. Google's Nest has announced a smart doorbell and enhanced security cameras coming soon.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/21/w...t-in-home-delivery-of-packages-and-groceries/

The delivery you permit may be more than just standard food and staples. Meal kits could soon follow. And Deliveroo just raised fresh capital and is now valued at more than £ 1.5 billion.

So many changes coming.
 
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sesevans said:
Ready for delivery from store to your refrigerator using your smart home that includes your smart door lock and probably home security camera?

Coming to your mobile phone soon? Video shows how it works.

Walmart US has teamed with August smart lock/security camera for a small test in Silicon Valley. Recently Walmart and Google partnered using your Google Home to select your shopping. Google's Nest has announced a smart doorbell and enhanced security cameras coming soon.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/21/w...t-in-home-delivery-of-packages-and-groceries/

The delivery you permit may be more than just standard food and staples. Meal kits could soon follow. And Deliveroo just raised fresh capital and is now valued at more than £ 1.5 billion.

So many changes coming.
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Such as the partnership with Google and Levi's for your Jacquard enabled jacket especially useful for bike riding. A gesture on the sleeve of your jacket linked through your phone and headset will let you perform many tasks that avoid taking the phone out of your pocket. On sale next week priced at $ 350:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9ADVeNpypk&t=1s
 
TheOracle said:
biggest thing I took from that video is that I need to buy a 42" TV for my switch lol
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A few takeaways for me:
1. Google wants to position the Pixel squarely at Apple and if there is an "Ultra", it means that they are not prepared to cede the high end premium space to Apple.
2. The dual camera and bezel-less screen would be reserved for this Ultra.
3. A new approach to the fingerprint scanner is always welcome.

Bring on 4 October!
 
TheOracle said:
will Google be offering the trade in program for us in the UK?
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So far, US only has been activated for trade-ins.

I viewed the contractual arrangements and note that it involves third parties working with Google for phone collection and inspection, etc. It has already been used by Google in the US in relation to phones that are Project Fi enabled. So bottom line, the contractual arrangements involve establishing third party relations that Google may only have begun to negotiate in non-US markets.

Perhaps we will hear more on 4 October?
 
I am particularly looking forward to the launch of Google Lens and expect it to be exclusive to the Pixels for a time. And even if it is not exclusive for very long, I expect it will work best on Pixels.

I use Google Assistant a lot, both on my Pixel XL and through Google Home. Google Lens will be about the combination of my smartphone camera (already excellent on the first Pixels) and Google Assistant that will identify and interact with the stuff I see through my camera.

Google Lens was first demoed at I/O. Remember? Simply point the camera at a flower to learn its name. Or scan a restaurant to pull up reviews and other information. And get your phone on nearby Wifi; just snap a picture of the login and password, and you'll be on the network. This was what Google demoed at I/O.

I expect next week they will feature much more with Google Lens. Combine Google Lens with Artificial Reality (ARCore) on any Android phone and you have the makings of a hugely powerful platform.
 
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As to the timing of the release of each phone, if the rumour is true, makes some sense.

Last year the original Pixels were announced also on 4 October and shipments began 20 October, one day later than the rumoured shipment date of the Pixel 2.

As we all recall, the Pixel XL was in extremely short supply for many months. So if the rumour of a 15 November delivery date is true for the Pixel 2 XL, then it means that Google has a good chance of securing enough supply to avoid disappointment, while getting a good read on demand.

However, with the iPhone X due to ship on 3 November, I would not be surprised to see Google move up the date of the Pixel 2 XL as you would, ideally, like it to be available for a direct challenge to the X.
 
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