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Here's how Made for Google accessories are tested
Simulating real-world scenarios and other certification requirements
Everyone buys smartphone accessories hoping that their chosen product not only complements their device but is also of high quality. This isn't always the case, but Google has developed a robust testing mechanism for its third-party accessories. Only after passing this rigorous scrutiny do they earn the coveted Made for Google badge — one that lets Pixel users know that it's a perfect match for their device, even if it's a bit pricey. Now, Google has pulled back the curtain on its accessory certification process.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are official, and in classic Google fashion, computational photography is a big focus of the event. One such feature is that the phones will go full Nic Cage and employ Face Off technology to salvage ruined photos. If you're taking a group shot and someone is pulling a funny face, Google will tell you that you won't have to worry — the phone can swap that face out via the new Best Take feature. As advanced as that sounds, this is actually a forgotten 10-year-old feature that Google is bringing back from the dead.
Leaked renders show the Pixel Watch 2 in four colors from all angles
Google hosts its Pixel event in New York City next week
In one week’s time, Google will host its “Made by Google” event in New York City, where it will unveil new devices in the Pixel portfolio of products. We know that the new Pixel 8 will be fully unveiled there, and we expect other Pixel-branded smart devices will be showcased as well. We have heard many things about Alphabet’s second attempt at the Pixel Watch, with Google even officially confirming a few weeks ago what it would look like. But other than a short teaser that showed renders and confirmed its IP68 rating and stress monitor, we haven’t gotten much else in terms of official news on internal specs or its software. Earlier this week, we reported on the newest Pixel smartphone’s marketing renders and images being leaked. Now, the same has happened for the Google Pixel Watch 2.
Google just held its Made by Google event today, where it showed off its new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones, as well as the Pixel Watch and a (brief) teaser of Google's upcoming Pixel tablet. But in classic Google fashion, the company also took advantage of the spotlight to throw a handful of digs to Apple, its antics, and some of the newest features it announced for the new iPhone 14 lineup.
How to watch the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch event
New Google devices will be revealed on October 6th
Made by Google starts this Thursday, October 6, at 10 a.m. ET. While the major reveals have been leaked in near entirety, it still promises to be a worthwhile show to watch (even if just to hit that pre-order button as early as possible).
It's no secret to anyone that Google is about to introduce some new hardware — expectations are high for the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro. Well, not only does Google have those new Pixels incoming, but we often see it announce all kinds of other hardware and software at its Made by Google events. We're now getting a little peek at what could be coming up next, as we get word about a possible hardware event on October 5th, a little under two weeks from now.
Google has just announced that it will be holding a streaming launch event on Wednesday, September 30th. The online event is set for 11AM PT (or 2PM ET), at which Google says we'll learn about new Chromecast, smart speaker, and Pixel hardware, almost all of which has leaked ahead of the upcoming event.
The recently announced Nest Mini appears to be an improvement on its predecessor, the Google Home Mini, in almost every way. Audio quality, Assistant response time, and the inclusion of a wall-mounting slot are all welcome additions. One of the most exciting changes, however, might be the restoration of a forgotten feature: the capacitive play/pause button that was included and subsequently disabled on the Google Home Mini has returned on the Nest Mini.
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As the rumor mill grinds, so has Google when it came to developing another pair of Pixel Buds. The first one, which debuted in 2017, were pretty much plastic central and, while using Bluetooth, still cabled. This time around, the cable's gone, the buds are thick, and Google Assistant is easier to access than ever.
Most of today's news has revolved around the new products added to the Google Store. However, Google has removed several older products, as well. These include the Daydream View VR headset, the Google Clips camera, and the first generation of Pixel Buds. Store listings for these devices are no longer visible without a direct link. If you attempt to access the Google Store pages for these products directly, you'll find a "no longer available" message that has replaced the purchase option.
Today's Made by Google event has been packed with new mobile and smart-home hardware, but for all the cutting-edge functionality and smart features these devices aim to offer, they're not much use for anyone without data connectivity. Three years ago, Google set out to help users shower their homes with high-speed, ubiquitous Wi-Fi with the launch of the mesh-capable Google Wifi. Now that hardware's finally getting an overdue refresh with new features, a new look, and a new name: Nest Wifi.
We first caught wind of Google's new Recorder app in a major software leak at the start of October, and now this upcoming feature is ready for launch. On stage at Made by Google 2019, Vice President of Product Management, Sabrina Ellis, showed us that the new Recorder app is more than just an audio note taker.
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Google hasn't only presented new hardware during the Made by Google event this year. It also took the stage to announce substantial changes to Nest subscriptions. There are two tiers now: 'Nest Aware' and 'Nest Aware Plus' going for $6 and $12 respectively, coming early 2020 to the same locations the current subscription is available in.
Google's been working on Stadia, its premiere game streaming service, for quite some time, and now it's finally ready for the public spotlight. The first announcement from the Made by Google event this morning revealed that Stadia is launching on November 19, 2019.
Like so many other would-be surprises today, we saw this coming: following a number of pretty comprehensive leaks, at its New York hardware event, Google has formally announced the Pixelbook Go, the newest in its line of high-end Chromebooks. The Pixelbook Go sports a more traditional laptop form factor than the Pixel Slate and Pixelbook that preceded it, and it's available for pre-order today.
We don't have many questions left when it comes to the Google Pixel 4 — chief among the few unknowns being final pricing and retail availability. But even those last lingering concerns should be addressed in just a few days at the upcoming Made by Google hardware event in New York City. On October 15th, your Android Police editors will be among those in attendance to cover the anticipated Pixel 4 unveiling. Do you plan on watching live?
We're just a week out from Google's October 15th hardware event, at which the company is expected to announce a pile of products, including the much-leaked Pixel 4. But there will be more to the next Made by Google event than just a new phone, plenty of other hardware (and software) is expected to land. Let's work through the list so that you know what to expect.
It's been nearly two full years since the first generation Pixel Buds debuted alongside the Pixel 2 phones. Since then, Google has remained relatively quiet on further development, despite the rise of the wireless headphones market swooping in to rescue us from a world without 3.5mm jacks. After waiting and watching the competition roll out new versions of their own wireless buds, Google finally appears ready to release an encore.
Google has formally revealed the previously rumored October 15h date for its Made by Google event, at which we expect the Pixel 4 to be launched. There's still plenty of time left for more leaks with just under a month left until the event, though Google might not have much left to show us when it comes to the new phone's unveiling.
Demand for expensive phones might be slowing, but consumerism as a whole continues. In the wake of our collective and unceasing desire for more, better, cheaper, Google is the latest company to stand up on a sustainability soapbox, announcing its intention to better the environmental impact of its "Made by Google" products. In a series of vague and easily met goals, the company wants to ensure that 100% of its hardware include recycled materials by 2022, with 100% of shipments being carbon neutral by next year.