And you thought it was tough being Apple: All of Google’s big announcements from next month’s event have leaked, including new Pixel 2 smartphones, a Pixelbook laptop, a new Google Home mini, and a new Daydream View VR headset.
And for me, this is a real gut-check: As I discussed recently in I’m Switching to Android (Premium), the new Pixel XL is currently my top choice for my next phone. But I was hoping that Google would see the light and lower prices this time around.
Nope: According to multiple sources, the Google Pixel 2 will cost $649 for a 64 GB version and $749 for a 128 GB version. And that’s for the little one.
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The larger Pixel 2 XL (yes, that’s its name) that I’m really looking forward to will start at $849 for 64 GB and top out at a wallet-busting $949 for the 128 GB version I would like to get. That is an $80 increase over last year’s model.
Sigh.
There are a few other details. The Pixel 2 will be made available in three colors, Just Black, Clearly White, and Kinda Blue. But the Pixel 2 XL will come in just two choices: Just Black and a two-tone Black & White.
Google’s third-generation Chromebook Pixel, called the Google Pixelbook, is just as interesting. But it’s also just as expensive, comparatively speaking. It will come in three storage allotments, 128 GB for $1199, 256 GB for $1399, and 512 GB for $1749. And the optional Pixelbook Pen will set you back another $99.
It looks like the Pixelbook is basically a Chromebook version of the Surface Book, though it folds over into a tablet rather than using a removable display. (This one comes to us courtesy of DroidLife.)
DroidLife also got the scoop on a smaller new version of the Google Home smart speaker called Google Home Mini. It will be available in three colors, Chalk (light gray top, white bottom), Charcoal, and Coral. And it will cost just $49.
Finally, Google will be announcing a new version of its Daydream View VR headset that, frankly, doesn’t look much different from the current model. But it will apparently set you back $99 and will come in three colors, Charcoal, Fog, and Coral.
Google, as you may remember, will make these announcements on October 4.
m_p_w_84
<p>Well at least the google Home mini is interesting </p>
wocowboy
Premium Member<blockquote><a href="#178099"><em>In reply to jrickel96:</em></a></blockquote><p>But, but, the fact there are apps that will help/let you shut down background processes is a HUGE PLUS for Android, it's part of the ability to customize and tinker with Android that everyone wants. No one wants their phone to manage that like the iPhone does. LOL At least that's the public mantra that Android users would like you to believe.</p><p><br></p><p>The same applies to not getting updates. NO ONE cares about updates, no one needs constant updates, the average consumer does not care about their privacy or the security of their data, that's why they are totally fine with the skinning, icon replacements, launchers, 3-4 different versions of apps, etc etc that are all piled on top of Android by the phone manufacturers and carriers, all of which make so many modifications to basic Android that any update that Google puts out can probably never be installed onto the phone. </p><p><br></p><p>Your post hits the nail on the head and is the exact reason I will never use an Android device. I DO CARE about my privacy and the security of my data, and I know for certain that if Apple comes out with an iOS update like they did yesterday, that I can install it on my phone now and for several years to come the INSTANT it is made publicly available by Apple. I will gladly endure a few quirks and foibles to have that assurance and peace of mind.</p>