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Some Google Pixel 2 XL phones are reportedly shipping without Android
Google's Pixel 2 smartphone has had a trail of problems following its launch. From software patches to fix audio issues to screen burn-in, the issues keep cropping up, leading the internet titan to extend warranties to make up for everyone's trouble. So, here's another: A small number of users are reporting that their Pixel 2 XL devices are shipping without operating systems.
Leaked HTC U11 Plus video reveals a bigger battery and screen
A hands-on video featuring the upcoming HTC U11 Plus has been leaked to Facebook, showing that the flagship phone will be available in a translucent option, as well as black and silver. Evan Bass, who's known for leaking tech specs, also confirmed the translucent option in a tweet. The video has since been taken down, but the inevitable copies still available online show the U11 Plus will have a six-inch display, 4,000 mAh battery and 128GB of storage (other storage options, if any, are yet to be confirmed). A closer look also reveals a coil beneath the shell, which could indicate wireless charging capabilities.
Google plans software update to fix another Pixel 2 audio issue
Google just announced software updates are incoming to deal with issues Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL owners are reporting with their screens and speakers, and now there's another one on the list. Its audio recordings seem to have an issue that makes them suddenly turn tinny and garbled, as noted in a thread on the support forums. Company representatives tell CNET and Android Police that Google is aware of the issue, and plans to fix it with a software update that will roll out in the next few weeks. That should be quite a patch when it arrives.
Google responds to Pixel 2 issues: Extended warranty and updates
While the Pixel 2 family initially garnered strong reviews, early adopting owners have reported an array of issues. Some have complained about dull colors or even "burn-in" on the Pixel 2 XL's OLED screen, while others have reported clicking sounds from their Pixel 2's speaker. In a couple of posts on its support forums tonight, Google employees explained what's going on and what the company will do.
Android 8.1 preview unlocks your Pixel 2 camera's AI potential
Remember how Google said the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both have a custom imaging chip that's just laying idle? Well, you can finally use it... in a manner of speaking. Google has released its first Developer Preview for Android 8.1, and the highlight is arguably Pixel Visual Core support for third-party apps. Companies will have to write support into their apps before you notice the difference, but this should bring the Pixel 2 line's HDR+ photography to any app, not just Google's own camera software. You might not have to jump between apps just to get the best possible picture quality when you're sharing photos through your favorite social service.
Some Pixel 2 phones are making strange noises
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are Google's best-rated smartphones yet, but early quality-control and testing problems could ruin the sales party. On top of display color and burn-in issues that have prompted some to advise against buying the device for now, users are also reporting sound problems. According to around 100 buyers on Google's Pixel product forum, the Pixel 2, and to a lesser extent, Pixel 2 XL are emitting clicking and/or high frequency sounds from the call speaker.
Google looks into reports of Pixel 2 XL screen burn-in problems
It's well-known that OLED displays can suffer from screen burn-in if objects regularly remain on screen for long periods -- that's why Samsung uses tricks like shifting the home button on newer phones. It's not supposed to crop up mere days after you've brought a device home, however, and that's what has Google and owners concerned about the Pixel 2 XL. Google told Android Central that it's investigating reports (including from AC's own Alex Dobie) of the 2 XL's P-OLED screen apparently suffering burn-in after roughly a week. It's not offering a verdict on the issue at this stage, but it stresses that it puts products through "extensive quality testing."
Google compensates Pixel 2 buyers who overpaid at pop-up stores
If you rushed out to buy a Pixel 2 at one of Google's pop-up stores on October 19th, you probably got a rude surprise: the Verizon reseller handling your purchase, Victra, was charging customers an extra $30 on top of the normal price. Unless you knew enough to haggle it back down, you paid a premium to walk out of the shop with a phone in hand. However, Google isn't having any of it. The company informed The Verge that it's reimbursing the difference for customers who overpaid for the device, and it'll contact you if you haven't already heard back. "This is an error, which is now fixed," a spokesperson said.
Google considers 'fixing' the Pixel 2 XL's display colors
While Google's Pixel 2 XL has generally been well-received, there have been some complaints about its LG-made P-OLED screen. It's supposed to reflect "natural" colors, but many see it as downright dull after years of seeing extra-punchy OLED displays from Samsung and other phone makers. What if you want that explosion of color? You might just get it. A Google spokesperson tells 9to5Google that it's considering adding color options to the Pixel 2 XL beyond the "vivid colors" toggle you see today. It knows that some users want more saturation, and it's open to software updates to add that "if that makes the product better." Nothing is set in stone, then, but it's promising.
Google's Pixel 2 is hiding an old-school menu button
Google has a bit of a throwback tucked away in the Pixel 2. Depending on the app, you can access the old-school Android menu button by tapping in the lower righthand corner of the screen, as spotted by Android Police. As you'll see in the video embedded below, it doesn't seem to do much, but hey, it exists. Android Police says that to access it, you need a Pixel 2 running the stock software and an app that targets Android Honeycomb or an earlier version of the OS. As of now, it'll appear in the settings menu, along with Google Maps and Inbox.
The Pixel 2 has a surprise: Google's first custom imaging chip
Google didn't spill all the details about the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL at its October 4th event. As it turns out, these phones have a secret weapon: Google's first custom imaging chip (and indeed first system-on-chip of any kind), the Pixel Visual Core. The eight-core processor works closely with software to handle Google's machine learning-assisted HDR+ photography up to five times faster than the Pixel 2's main CPU, all the while using a tenth of the energy.
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.
Google's Pixel 2 phones fight distracted driving
You don't have to own an iPhone or Samsung phone to get a modern handset that keeps your eyes on the road. The 9to5Google team has discovered that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL include a buried feature in their software (namely, Ambient Services) that automatically invokes a Do Not Disturb mode when it detects that you're moving at high speed, much like what you see in iOS 11. You'll want to turn this off if you're only a passenger, but it could be very helpful if you're behind the wheel and don't want your phone pinging you every time there's an Instagram like or Twitter mention.
Google's Pixel 2 phones don't need SIM cards
Google added a lot to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, but one of its more intriguing upgrades comes from what it's taking away: the need for a SIM card. Both devices still have a nano-SIM slot (contrary to a few rumors), but they also use eSIMs like that on the Apple Watch Series 3. So long as your carrier supports it, you just have to download a virtual SIM during the setup process to activate service. Needless to say, that's a welcome change if you're tired of the usual SIM swapping ritual needed for upgrading handsets.
The Google Pixel 2 XL vs. the competition: Cameras rule
In a year where the Galaxy Note made a comeback and Apple is mixing things up by offering both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, it's hard to know what to make of Google's newest handsets at first. The Pixel XL isn't particularly flashy on the outside, though the single 12.2MP camera looks promising. But can it compete against the dual camera rigs on other flagship handsets? To see what else this 6-inch handset has to offer versus some of its major competitors, we've stacked up their specs in the table below. Be sure to check back later this fall to see how both the new Pixels and the iPhone X fare in their respective full reviews.
Google claims Pixel 2 has the best camera, just like the first Pixel
Google was quick to brag about the original Pixel's camera prowess last year, and it's continuing with that confident stance now that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are here. Both phones use the same 12-megapixel rear camera, and have received an unprecedented overall DxOMark test score of 98 -- that's four points higher than the previous leaders, the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. If you ask Google, it's a combination of the hardware with its computational intelligence.
Google unveils the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Google has announced the second generation of its venerated Pixel handsets, the Pixel 2 and its larger sibling, the Pixel 2 XL. Rather than attempting to compete on specifications, the company is hoping that its software know-how and a refined design will woo customers. The headline feature, perhaps, is that the Pixels will abandon the 3.5mm headphone jack on its smartphones. Instead, users will need to connect their analog headphones using the bundled 3.5mm USB-C adapter.
Live from Google's Pixel 2 event!
It's already been a year since Google officially announced its pair of Pixel smartphones, the Google Home speaker and a host of other hardware products. Naturally, that means it's time to do it all over again. At an event in San Francisco, Google is expected to reveal the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones, updates to the Google Home line, a convertible Chromebook and more. We'll be there live bringing you the news as it develops with our up-to-the-minute liveblog, and we'll have hands-on and first impressions from the event afterwards. Keep an eye on this page for everything as it's announced -- Google's event kicks off on October 4th at 12PM ET / 9AM PT.
Watch Google's Pixel 2 event live right here at 12PM ET
Well folks, today's the day. It's Google's turn to reveal a new lineup of devices that are likely to tempt you before the holiday scrum begins. We'll be there live to bring you all of the news as it's announced, but if you want to watch today's festivities, we've embedded the livestream below for easy access. Tune in and keep an eye on our liveblog for witty analysis, terrible jokes and more from today's Pixel 2 event. While you're waiting for 12PM ET to roll around, catch up on what we expect to be announced and take a look at our retrospective of Google phones going back to 2007. Follow all the latest news from Google's Pixel 2 event here!
What to expect at Google's Pixel 2 event
Almost exactly a year ago, Google unveiled a host of new products, a veritable "Made By Google" ecosystem, as the company called it. The most notable devices were the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones and Google Home smart speaker, but Google also launched the Daydream View VR headset, a mesh-WiFi system and a 4K-capable Chromecast. It was easily the company's biggest push into Google-branded hardware. But one year later, the Pixel and Pixel XL have been lapped by new devices from Samsung, Apple and LG, among others. We're due for a refresh, and we'll almost certainly get that in San Francisco on Wednesday, October 4th, when the company hosts its next big product launch. New phones are basically a shoo-in, but there's a bunch of other hardware that Google will likely show off. Here's what to expect.
