In the recent Google Event on October 4th, Google announced a whole slew of new devices and tech. One of the most anticipated products was the announcement of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
Some Of The Features
The Google Pixel 2 is, physically speaking not all that different from its predecessor. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 2 XL is getting a pretty nifty increase in display size, from 5.5-inches to a 6-inch display.
The headphone jack, first killed off in Apple’s iPhone 7, is another casualty here as well. RIP indeed.
Interestingly enough, the phones on both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are the same. Other than the size of the screen and the battery life, both the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are pretty much the same. Both phones have a 12.2-megapixel rear camera that support HDR+, image stabilisation, and even gives a bokeh effect to portrait mode. The portrait mode effect can even be enabled on the front-facing camera!
Both phones also now let you squeeze your phone to launch Google Assistant. Yep, that’s right. A squeeze of the sides of the phone is all it takes. Convenient, and pretty intuitive.
Seamless Google Integration
The Pixel phones will also be the first to get Google Lens, which was first announced earlier this year. With Google Lens activated, users can point their camera at various objects, and have Google automatically pull up information on them. One step closer to a truly augmented reality.
An interesting feature is the always-on display. First slowly weeded out of smartphones for its battery drain, the always-on display makes a comeback in this version of the Pixel. The display not only shows the date and time, but also works together with the phone’s microphone and Google search services to register and display details on whatever song is currently playing.
Release Details
The Google Pixel 2 phone comes in Black, White, and “Kinda Blue”, while the XL is limited to Black and White.
Rumours are that the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will see staggered release dates. The Google Pixel 2 will be released earlier, on October 19, and the Pixel 2 XL will be released on November 15.
For tech specifications and details on where to get your own Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, check out the Google page for the phones.
