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Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: Google's best phones get even better
Google's first Pixel smartphones weren't just smartphones; they were a proclamation that Google was more than just a software giant. They were proof that it could craft first-class devices that showed off what Android was really capable of. The new Pixel 2 and 2 XL continue that new tradition and offer some major changes to the Pixel formula. They're also among the first devices to highlight what's new and notable in Android 8.0 Oreo. While they don't get absolutely everything right, Google's new phones have still managed to further the Pixel's reputation for Android excellence.
Huawei Mate 10 hands-on: Faster, more helpful AI
The most important phones of the year have already been announced, but one company might still be able to pique our interest. Huawei unveiled its AI-focused Kirin 970 processor at IFA, saying the chip's real world benefits would be shared at the launch of its next flagship. Now, the company is ready to reveal how the Kirin 970 performs in a phone. The Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro were designed around AI -- so much so that Huawei wants to call them "intelligent machines." Huawei told Engadget to expect the prices to be competitive, and in Europe at least, prices start at €699 for the standard model, while the Mate 10 Pro will come in at €799. From my brief time with some preview units at a recent demo in New York, the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro certainly have useful AI features and could be worthy competitors to the latest phones from Apple, Google and Samsung.
Sony Xperia XZ1 hands-on: Pricey camera tricks
I blew my mind earlier this year when I watched my extremely slowed-down footage of a bird in mid-flight. I was testing the Sony Xperia XZ Premium's camera, which can record video at up to 960 fps -- four times as slow as the iPhone's 240 fps. I was mesmerized by the videos, but they still didn't justify the whopping $800 that Sony is charging for that handset. So when I heard that the company was bringing the same camera features to the more affordable Xperia XZ1, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, when Sony revealed the XZ1's price to be $700, most of that enthusiasm evaporated.
Verizon's Pixel phones will be among the first to get Android Oreo
Carriers are notorious for their protracted phone update processes, particularly Verizon. It's not uncommon for Big Red subscribers to wait weeks longer than others to get an upgrade -- and its promises that Google Pixel owners would get updates quickly were met with skepticism. Well, it looks like the provider might have been true to its word. Verizon has revealed that it's delivering Android Oreo to Pixel and Pixel XL handsets on its network. You won't have to twiddle your thumbs while owners with unlocked phones take advantage of picture-in-picture video and other Oreo perks.
Oreo is officially the next name for Android
Google loves to make a big splash when it reveals the name for the latest version of Android. But the company is going all out this year, using the solar eclipse as an opportunity to reveal that Android O will henceforth be referred to as Oreo. It makes at least a little sense to tie this reveal in to the eclipse -- those iconic photos of the solar event are a bit evocative of Oreos, after all.
