Google Announces Pixel 3 Smartphone, 'Home Hub' Smart Speaker, and Pixel Slate Tablet

[dan9700]

Lets wait for real reviews because I for one would really like Pixel 3 to be much better with photos than iPhone. Why, you may ask? Not because I want one but because if there is a better tech from other company than Apple then next year we will see Apple kick some ass.
Competition is good and it would be great to have some better tech outside Apple so Apple is not getting comfortable.

as a photographer with a 5d mark iv I'm so amazed at the xs camera its insane in low light, no way would that photo be real the background building was bright and everything else is dark, they said that was untouched would is a lie

 

[AustinIllini]

The phones are fine but they're at least a year behind. The camera looks amazing, though.

 

[Martius]

I think OnePlus 6T will be the only new Android phone worth buying in 2018. Google should just update the Pixel 2 software and lower the price. This is one of the ugliest phones I have seen in a while.

 

[1144557]

Bwahaha that's notcho cheese (Flossy). The huge deep notch and huge chin.

Ty watching a video or doing stuff in landscape with that big ole notch

Outside of the camera, Google Pixel 3 has a Call Screen feature, where Google Assistant can answer a call for you when you can't or don't want to pick up the phone. The Assistant asks the caller who is calling and to leave a message, and the entire conversation is transcribed live on the smartphone, so you can read along as the conversation happens.

This almost seems worth the price alone. The thought of sending spam calls into a loop of discussions with an AI assistant makes me very exciting. I'd like a button that after the transcription makes it clear this is spam we could push to put the AI into a delay and extend mode where it just trolls the spam caller for as long as it can until they hang up.

Not necessarily so as it will deter real callers too. If some automated thing came up Id hang up personally. Im not playing with some computer if I want to talk to someone. ESPECIALLY in business.

 

[MauiPa]

A Notch? No android will ever buy this, it has a notch. Oh, wait, Apple doesn't make this? Oh, Make Notches Great Again!

 

[Baymowe335]

Ugly and fake photo comparison.

 

[matticus99]

Some interesting software features but overall pretty underwhelming. I guess staying with last years model is in this year for Apple and Google.

The presentation was painful to watch.

 

[apolloa]

I think OnePlus 6T will be the only new Android phone worth buying in 2018. Google should just update the Pixel 2 software and lower the price. This is one of the ugliest phones I have seen in a while.

We’ll see, Razer will be launching their new phone tomorrow, it could potentially be a powerhouse at a good price.

 

[840quadra]

Still think they had HDR off on the iphone. My personal results in (what I suspect) is similar lighting on the iPhone xS has been far better.



Also, you can pick your favorite shot on iPhone, provided you have Live Photo’s on too. Actually works really well!

 

[Graphikos]

Outside of the camera, Google Pixel 3 has a Call Screen feature, where Google Assistant can answer a call for you when you can't or don't want to pick up the phone. The Assistant asks the caller who is calling and to leave a message, and the entire conversation is transcribed live on the smartphone, so you can read along as the conversation happens.

This almost seems worth the price alone. The thought of sending spam calls into a loop of discussions with an AI assistant makes me very exciting. I'd like a button that after the transcription makes it clear this is spam we could push to put the AI into a delay and extend mode where it just trolls the spam caller for as long as it can until they hang up.

I assume spam calls are the same as spam email. If you ignore them they don't verify you as a spammable contact. AI answering the phone seems like it would result in more calls. Even if AI answers an increased amount you'd still be checking more transcribed calls which has to be annoying too.

 

[AndyDiamond]

View attachment 793493 They tapped somwhere on the display to make the photo extra dark! How clever google

indeed - while I'm sure the camera on the Pixel 3 is very good, this is a lousy comparison and the photographer is a complete idiot.

 

[Andres Cantu]

That’s not a notch, that looks like a stalactite

 

[whyamihere]

Premium hardware prices, yet further subsidized by your data being sold as the product. It's win-win (for Google)!

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah that Xs photo was so fake..cmon google that wasn’t needed

 

[christo747]

Macrumors, please! Don't write anything without thinking logical. These two sentences „The Pixel 3 XL has an edge-to-edge display ...“ and „... the Pixel 3 XL has a chin on the bottom of the device.“ cannot be both correct at the same time.

 

[spinedoc77]

Google today held its annual "Made by Google" fall event, unveiling a new line of products that included the all-new Google Pixel 3 smartphone, a screen-based smart speaker, and a new tablet. Notably, Google pointed out at the beginning of its presentation that 2018 marks the 20 year anniversary of the search giant.

The central announcement at the event was the 5.5-inch Google Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 XL has an edge-to-edge display and a notch at the top of the smartphone that holds its front-facing camera system, akin to iPhone X onwards. Unlike Apple's smartphones, the Pixel 3 XL has a chin on the bottom of the device.

The company focused on the Pixel 3's advanced camera, including an HDR+ mode and "Top Shot," which automatically captures multiple shots with HDR+ and recommends one that might be better than your photo. Night Sight will enhance photos captured in low-light scenarios, and Google compared nighttime images on the iPhone XS with those taken on Pixel 3. Users can also now edit the depth of field effect in portrait mode, like on iPhone XS and XS Max.

The second camera on the front of the Pixel 3 smartphone allows for a group selfie feature, which captures 184 percent more of a scene than the iPhone XS, according to Google. The new smartphone also has a few AR features on the camera called Google Playground, including characters from The Avengers and an animated version of Childish Gambino created in partnership with Donald Glover.

Outside of the camera, Google Pixel 3 has a Call Screen feature, where Google Assistant can answer a call for you when you can't or don't want to pick up the phone. The Assistant asks the caller who is calling and to leave a message, and the entire conversation is transcribed live on the smartphone, so you can read along as the conversation happens.

Google Pixel 3 is available to pre-order today and launches on October 18 in the United States and other countries, starting at $799. The Pixel 3 XL starts at $899, and both are available in Just Black, Clearly White, and Not Pink. A new Qi-compatible Pixel Stand will also be available for $79.

Google Home Hub is the company's latest smart home speaker, allowing users to access YouTube, Google Photos, and more on its 7-inch screen. Google says it decided to not include a camera in Home Hub to enhance privacy, and an Ambient EQ feature automatically adjusts display brightness in relation to the light in the room.

The company gave numerous examples of how you can use Google Home Hub, including following recipes in the kitchen provided by Tasty, or controlling smart home products. In regards to the latter feature, Google built a "Home View" section on Home Hub, where you can drag down from the top of the screen to see a quick update on your smart lights, locks, and thermostats in one place, like Apple's Home app on iOS. The Google Home mobile app is also updating to match Home View's design.

Google Home Hub will cost $149 and launch later this month on October 22.

The company then went on to talk about the Google Pixel Slate, a new Chrome OS tablet that is aimed at use both in the workplace and for entertainment at home. The tablet has dual front-firing speakers, 8MP rear and front facing cameras with portrait modes, a 12-hour battery life, and a 12.3-inch Molecular Display with 293 pixels per inch.

On Pixel Slate, Chrome OS has been adjusted to specifically fit the tablet. This includes features like split screen, a new app launcher, deeper integration with Google Assistant, family link, do not disturb, and "nightlight" to reduce blue light on the display at nighttime.

Google Pixel Slate will start at $599 when it launches later this year in the United States. A connected keyboard and case accessory, the Slate Keyboard, will cost $199, while the Pixelbook Pen in a new midnight blue color (to match Pixel Slate) will cost $99.

More information on Google's announcements can be found on the company's website and on the Made by Google YouTube channel.

Article Link: Google Announces Pixel 3 Smartphone, 'Home Hub' Smart Speaker, and Pixel Slate Tablet

Wow Google continues their tradition of letting the pixel line up hit every branch on the ugly tree on the way down. Even the tablet is really meh, I wonder when Google plans to abandon it like they abandon everything else. I'd usually say no way to Google because of the weekly privacy scandals but thank God no privacy scandals this week… umm what that you say, there was ANOTHER privacy scandal this week??!? Yeah, hell no thanks.

I also don't get the whole smart speaker thing, why is this even a market? I can just ask my phone anything I want, and it actually has a screen. Remind me again why I want a speaker listening to every word I say 24/7?

 

[applebro]

This thing looks cheaper than a Chinese iPhone knockoff. We’re the designers drunk when they came up with this? Was management drunk when they approved it?

Not even kidding I feel bad for the engineers that worked on this project.

What happened Google?

 

[840quadra]

That notch, mismatched chin, and cheap looking back... I'm glad there are other Android manufacturers out there to choose from.

Meh on all of them.

I like the full glass back that is half frosted.

 

[alien3dx]

So, why would anyone buy a Pixel slate instead of a Surface (that runs a real OS and is a productivity beast) or an iPad (that has a way more tablet specific apps and is a far better tablet)? That product is 200% DOA.

What diff with ipad anyway ? But i do hope cheaper macbook air or ipad osx .. Sure people will flock to buy ..

 

[nws0291]

Yikes, Google Home Hub is $150.... yet Apple Homepod is $350 (i own one)

The two products are not related though. Apple doesn't have a home display product (Google Hub, Echo Show, Facebook Portal, etc). The Homepod competes with the Google Home Max which retails for $399.

 

[kuwxman]

I want a Slate, but jesus, not at $599 PLUS another $199 for the keyboard. WTF Google?

 

[AndyDiamond]

so the Pixel XL has no headphone jack - but a USB C to 3.5mm dongle - isn't that what Android peeps hate about iPhones?

 

[4look4rd]

as a photographer with a 5d mark iv I'm so amazed at the xs camera its insane in low light, no way would that photo be real the background building was bright and everything else is dark, they said that was untouched would is a lie

That photo looks real to me. The people are sitting on a rock under the shadow of a tree, it’s not a common scenario but I can totally see the iPhone getting fooled by that set up. Pixel generally have the best camera of its generation so it will be interesting to see more in-depth reviews.

For what I heard so far the Xs is on par with the pixel 2 and S9, maybe even a bit behind, so we’ll see if this is an incremental update or if google will leap frog again like they did with the original pixel and pixel 2.

 

[spinedoc77]

This thing looks cheaper than a Chinese iPhone knockoff. We’re the designers drunk when they came up with this? Was management drunk when they approved it?

Not even kidding I feel bad for the engineers that worked on this project.

What happened Google?

Why? I'm sure they get paid a crap ton to be google engineers. It's not like Google would pay developers to do nothing but make things whiter and slightly more rounded, would they?

 

[skillwill]

Well... this is going to be pretty awkward for all those Pixel fanboys like Chris Pirillo who basically dedicated 3 months of their content last year to how awful the notch in the iPhone X was, what a terrible design and user experience it is, and how stupid Apple people are for buying into it.