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

[sesevans]

Did anyone else notice what appears to be a transparent widget at the top of the Pixel 2 XL display for calendar (next appointment) and weather? Is this going to be more of a ticker than a display, if it updates after that first appointment finishes?

This is made possible due to moving the search bar to the bottom of the screen, which I think makes sense as it is easier for me to reach.

Also anyone else notice that the icon we saw in last week's leak for Google Lens is not shown? Does this mean that it will either be opt-in or will it be revealed in full later than this week's event?

 

[sesevans]

Pixel 2 October 19th & Pixel 2 XL November 15th.

https://venturebeat.com/2017/10/02/these-are-the-google-pixel-2-and-pixel-2-xl/

In addition to the comments I made earlier about the rumoured Pixel launch dates, I suppose that supply constraints on component parts is also particularly acute this time of year. Shortages of all screen displays are projected to last well into 2018.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20171001PD200.html

If you are buying a Pixel 2 XL with the expected 18:9 aspect ratio, suggest you put your pre-order in early to avoid disappointment again.

 

[sesevans]

So lets say they price the XL at £799

Surely the V30 wins here? I know we don't get Android 8 out of the box but...

Android 8 out of the box is still a big deal. I would like to say that quicker updates will happen in 2017/18 (and Google has started to take steps) but keep this fact in mind: only 0.2% of all Android phones currently have Android 8.0!

My own view is that they will not achieve quick updates throughout the Android universe until they make Android proprietary---if that ever happens.

 

[sesevans]

By the way, there is a report out this morning that Apple may delay the first 1 million iPhone X's to a shipment date in December rather than early November as first mentioned. If true that would create a vacuum which the Pixel 2 XL might fill:

http://de.4-traders.com/APPLE-4849/...-may-delay-until-December-915543225917521920/

 

[sesevans]

Sales of the original Pixel (depending on how you look at it) were poor. Not sure googles long term strategy. Do they want a "look at me device" ala surfacebook where other android manufacturers take notice, or do they want to start carving into android sales and become a real player to take on Samsung? If the later (and they just bought HTC remember) they may well price well to gain market share.

It was estimated recently that Google sold 2 million original Pixels which would have resulted in revenues of between $ 1.5 - $ 2 billion. This is a very small part of Google's revenues, which this year are expected to reach $ 100 billion.

Google has doubled-down on its hardware strategy with the recent acqui-hire of 2,000 HTC engineers and other personnel (deal expected to close in early 2018).

I would be delighted if Google opted for a lower-priced strategy to buy market share but I do not expect it because the new Pixels have upgraded processors, better components generally and more expensive memory.

I believe that for Google to go full-tilt against Samsung, an Android partner, it would have to decide to make Android proprietary. Tell me what is the likelihood of this happening and I will have a more accurate read about future market share of Pixels.

 

[sesevans]

Sales of the original Pixel (depending on how you look at it) were poor. Not sure googles long term strategy. Do they want a "look at me device" ala surfacebook where other android manufacturers take notice, or do they want to start carving into android sales and become a real player to take on Samsung? If the later (and they just bought HTC remember) they may well price well to gain market share.

This link to an article in the Verge today addresses your question, at least in part.

However they believe Google's biggest problem will be in meeting the huge demand for the Pixel 2s:

https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16416376/google-pixel-phone-supply-problem-2017-event-preview

 

[sesevans]

Shipment 1 Delivery November 15–November 17


Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Black and White)
£899.00
Quantity: 1

Ouch. My delivery date for 64 GB Black and White XL is December 12-14!

 

[sesevans]

No headphone jack makes not buying this almost too easy.

Gonna wait for people to start flogging the original pixel and pick one up cheap(ish)

No "flogging" in this household. Wife will be happy owner of my Pixel XL. Sorry.

 

[sesevans]

Why does $649 USD = £629 GBP - that's pretty horrible exchange rate for the base model!

$ 649 is approx £ 485 at £ 1= $ 1.34 (interbank rate) plus VAT of 20% is £ 581. So not too great but I have seen worse.

 

[sesevans]

I really like the new XL, much more than the iPhone 8+. The problem is that I'm balls deep into the Apple ecosystem and my family are all on iOS devices for photo, location and media sharing. Plus I use the wallet app all the time.

I hope that the iPhone next year has an OLED screen as I'm not keen on the 'X' due to all the gen 1 tech in there; I'm sure FaceGate is going to be a thing.

In presentation, they showed how simple it was to move from an iPhone....a 10 minute exercise.

Google has Android Pay which works fine for me.

That OLED screen and the DXO 98 rated camera and Google Lens and other software enhancements makes the Pixel 2 XL a must have for me.

 

[sesevans]

I currently have a iPhone 6+ and the Pixel 2 XL looks such a breath of fresh air and I am so tempted to get it in white.

But I'm quite invested in the Apple eco system, whats it like going to the Google play store from the Apple store? Have things improved?

Yes and it takes 10 minutes to move everything along from an iPhone to the new Pixels. Google presentation today makes a point of showing that.

 

[sesevans]

Confirmed at least three years software support for the Pixel 2.
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre.../google-pixel-2-phone-android-update-schedule

Yes, up from 2 years on the original Pixels. Good move. Shows Google really fully behind their Pixel hardware.

 

[sesevans]

All in all not an amazingly exciting presentation, but still interesting with some interesting products. I don't think we expected the Google Home Max did we? If their sample guy is to be believed, that could be a handy replacement to an entire stereo for someone like myself (well, if I had a stereo.)

The Pixelbook looks nice, but pricey for a Chromebook.

The Pixel 2 and XL are kinda what we expected and at the price we thought (the sensible ones of us anyway). I don't really get the people saying the Dx0 of 98 means nothing? That's like saying benchmarks mean nothing. I know they aren't necessary 100% accurate measure, but it still a measure. Last years Pixel topped the chart and was an amazing phone. How was the Dx0 inaccurate. 98 sounds kinds of amazing, and only a couple of days after the Note 8 had claimed the crown. (Oh, and the iPhone 8 I see, both at 94)

I got my order of B&W XL in, 15-17 November. Tbh, the black probably looks a little better, but the B&W is more recognisable

 

[sesevans]

All in all not an amazingly exciting presentation, but still interesting with some interesting products. I don't think we expected the Google Home Max did we? If their sample guy is to be believed, that could be a handy replacement to an entire stereo for someone like myself (well, if I had a stereo.)

The Pixelbook looks nice, but pricey for a Chromebook.

The Pixel 2 and XL are kinda what we expected and at the price we thought (the sensible ones of us anyway). I don't really get the people saying the Dx0 of 98 means nothing? That's like saying benchmarks mean nothing. I know they aren't necessary 100% accurate measure, but it still a measure. Last years Pixel topped the chart and was an amazing phone. How was the Dx0 inaccurate. 98 sounds kinds of amazing, and only a couple of days after the Note 8 had claimed the crown. (Oh, and the iPhone 8 I see, both at 94)

I got my order of B&W XL in, 15-17 November. Tbh, the black probably looks a little better, but the B&W is more recognisable

Well done in getting such an early shipping date! Mine is Dec 12-14! I ordered the black and white XL. My live wallpaper case will be sitting empty from late October.

I did mention that Google Home Max when it first got rumoured a few weeks back in the Google Home thread. The sound quality appears amazing. By the way on Google Home you will be getting hand-free phone calling in the UK in the next month or two.

I agree that the DXO rating of 98 is awesome, despite the sceptics.

The Pixelbook looks like it will be appealing for devs.

 

[sesevans]

I wasn't following this thread at the time or anything else, but thought around 6:30pm 'I wonder if they're there yet' and sure enough they were! Just went right through with the order, didn't stop to think!

In my order it doesn't mention the free Google Home Mini anywhere. Does it in anyone elses? I was going to buy one anyway, so it kinda does make the phone £749 which was what I was hoping it would be.



Don't get me wrong, I don't think anyone is saying they're the 'be all', just that comments of them meaning nothing are probably a little silly.

I too noticed that the Mini is not mentioned as part of my order but I heard in the presentation that a free Mini was part of the purchase of a Pixel phone now. The offer however expires in a few months I believe. And yes, that effectively brings down the purchase price.

 

[sesevans]

Maybe it's because I'm not an audiophile, but what do people have against Bluetooth headphones? I've been using them 2 or 3 years now and love not being tethered to the device.

Which bluetooth headphones are you using?

 

[sesevans]

Google Clips!

Did anyone notice this announcement today? GoPro will have a lot of competition as this new small action camera is priced very competitively.

This is what I saw on a US site: "Google Clips: Google showed off a new clip-on camera that can take photo and video remotely and synchronizes what it captures instantly with a connected phone through an app. Google said the camera was launching "soon," and would work with the Pixel, Samsung (005930.SE) S7 and S8 phones as well as iPhone 6 and up. GoPro Inc.(GPRO) stock suffered immediately after Google introduced the camera as Clips will be an option for some who would buy GoPro's cameras and will be priced cheaper than the action cameras GoPro sells, at $249."

 

[sesevans]

Some Sony SBH80's almost 2 years old now. Quite tempted by the Pixelbuds tbh. (Who ever it is getting angry about Oreo having a Bluetooth problem... it doesn't. Two different headphones, my bike helmet, my car, all work fine. Unfortunately you have a Bluetooth problem )



A good point, I was thinking this myself. I don't know if I can get £550 or so for my year old Pixel XL, so really it's only costing me £200 to upgrade. I'm fine with that.




I don't think they're competitors tbh. GoPro is an action camera for adrenaline junkies (yes, of course others use it too) where as the Clip is for new parents capturing moments. Two camera's probably couldn't be for much different target audiences than that.

Good points. On the Pixelbuds, I did notice the Play Store is wait list only now. I assume the retailers will have them....Carphone/EE.

 

[sesevans]

I'm left somewhat uninspired by the 2XL. The biggest hit for me is the lack of 256GB option. Sure the unlimited Drive/Photos storage for raw media is nice, but local storage always trumps cloud storage, especially for those of us who aren't always connected to a fast )or any for that matter) data network when travelling.

Otherwise I'd be all for it.

Damn shame, damn big shame.

Edit*
I just read further comments on reddit that the unlimited storage is time limited to 2020 or so? Well that craps all over the party.

Looks like if we want epic hardware with stock Android, Nokia are the ones to satisfy maybe. The Nokia 9 might be the one now.

On the "unlimited storage", looks better than your comment. They say:

"Free, unlimited original-quality storage for photos and videos taken with Pixel through the end of 2020, and free, unlimited high-quality storage for photos taken with Pixel afterwards."

 

[sesevans]

64GB Pixel 2 XL, ships December! For a phone that hardly anybody knows about outside of tech nerds that's very poor indeed. Did they only make a few dozen pre launch !!

You might find it available sooner at Carphone Warehouse or EE? Also there are really big shortages of component parts these days. I posted recently for example that the OLED 6 inch display screens with 18:9 aspect ratio are in very short supply which is likely to last into 2018.