Pixel 4
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The Pixel 4 box is hiding an AR Easter egg
If you were one of the first people to scoop up a Google Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL, you might want to try pointing Google Lens at the rear of the box when you receive your phone. That's because Google has hidden an augmented reality Easter egg on the packaging.
Here's everything you need for your new Pixel 4
After months of leaks, Google's Pixel 4 and 4 XL are finally available in stores. Touted as Android's answer to iPhones, there are already a healthy number of Pixel accessories to choose from. Here are some of our picks to get you started.
The Engadget Podcast: Reviewing the Pixel 4, Surface Pro 7 and more!
This week, Devindra and Cherlynn dive into some of our latest reviews: Google's Pixel 4, Microsoft's Surface Pro 7, HTC's Vive Cosmos and Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1. Can Google still deliver a flagship smartphone? Is the Pro 7 just a ho-hum refresh? Take a listen! Stream the show below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News! Subscribe! iTunes Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Play Music Links Pixel 4 review Surface Pro 7 review Vive Cosmos review XPS 13 2-in-1 review Credits Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Terrence O'Brien
Pixel 4 XL teardown reveals remarkably tiny Soli chip
When Google announced the Pixel 4 earlier this month, the company's Sabrina Ellis spent a part of the keynote talking about the work her team invested in making Project Soli into something that could fit inside of a smartphone. It turns out Ellis wasn't overstating things: the radar chip is so small, the repair experts at iFixit had trouble finding it when they recently took apart the Pixel 4 XL.
Google explains when it slows down the Pixel 4's Smooth Display
Google just unveiled the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, and it's already got a lot of explaining to do. In addition to announcing a fix for Face Unlock that would make eye-detection necessary, the company also had to clarify today that the phone's Smooth Display feature doesn't behave the way most people expected. One of the most intriguing features of the new flagships is that their screens run at a faster-than-average 90 Hz, so things like animations, scrolling through a website or compatible games look smoother.
Faces are the Pixel 4's kryptonite
One of the most controversial new features of Google's latest flagship is its Soli radar sensor. It allows you to interact with the phone by swiping at the air in front of the display, and also enables Face Unlock. But, that login method has a glaring flaw -- it will unlock your phone even if your eyes are closed. This means anyone near you can pick up your Pixel 4 and access your data by holding it in front of your face, even if you're asleep.
Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL review: A slightly flawed taste of the future
After Google started making its own smartphones in 2016, it quickly fell into a predictable pattern: Those devices would pack clean software, take surprisingly good photos and launch sometime in October. Sure, Google added features here and there over the years, but it never strayed too far from that original formula. Until now, that is. With this year's Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Google is charting a new path for itself. Beyond those hallmark features -- which we still see here, by the way -- these new Pixels respond to hand gestures in addition to just taps on a screen. They're better at interpreting and acting on your voice commands. They even have super-fast screens, so the things you do on them just look better. I don't think Google has ever been this ambitious with a pair of Pixels before, and if some of its gambles pay off, there's a chance the company could reshape what it means to use a smartphone entirely. That's a pretty big "if," though. I can't say Google got everything right here, but I do know that these Pixels are fast, weird and very much worth a closer look.
The Engadget Podcast: What do we lose if Google is everywhere?
Google is all about ambient computing. That much was made clear at the company's launch event this week. Its products were leaked so thoroughly that there were barely any surprises left. Yet, finally getting to see Google's full portfolio of devices makes it clear: the company is very serious about getting into every facet of your life. This week, Cherlynn is joined by senior mobile editor Chris Velazco in Devindra's absence, and the two take a long hard look at Google's hardware, software, as well as its experiments to see how it all fits into the concept of ambient computing. And the question is: How concerned do we need to be about all the data Google continues to glean about us? Listen below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News! Subscribe! iTunes Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Play Music Links Our Pixel 4 and 4 XL hands-on Nest Mini hands-on A closer look at the new Pixel Buds Testing Google's latest smart jacket and Jacquard platform An interview with Google's Nest lead on ambient computing Credits Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Chris Velazco Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Terrence O'Brien
Verizon and T-Mobile aren't supporting RCS on the Pixel 4 at launch
Google has been pushing its SMS-alternative Rich Communication Services (RCS) for years. And it's no secret that the roll out has been a bit of a mess. Now, in another set back, Verizon and T-Mobile will not support RCS messaging on the Pixel 4 at launch.
Google needs a sustainable phone moonshot
"Developing sustainable solutions to mass production and consumption is one of the biggest challenges we face today as an industry," Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president for devices and services said onstage yesterday. "It impacts all of us and it will for generations to come." Sustainability was a major focus of the Pixel 4 event. The company said it would spend another $150 million on renewable energy projects, for instance, that will generate the same amount of electricity that is currently required to build Made by Google products. Ivy Ross, the head of Google's hardware design team, revealed that all of its 2019 Nest products will include some amount of recycled material, too. The new Nest Mini speaker, for example, has a fabric top made entirely from old plastic bottles.
Google rolls out real-time captioning starting with Pixel 4
At I/O in May, Google showcased its Live Caption tech, which provides captions for all audio on your device in real-time, except for voice and video calls. Google has now revealed when you'll be able to take advantage of the accessibility feature.
Pixel 4 pre-orders at Amazon include a free $100 gift card
If you wanted to pre-order one of Google's Pixel 4 phones and haven't already, you might be in for a treat. Amazon is offering a $100 gift card to anyone who buys the Pixel 4 (starting at $799) or Pixel 4 XL (starting at $899) ahead of launch. You're not saving money on the Android flagship phone itself, but this could get you the case, wireless charger or other accessories you want for free -- the hidden costs of a new phone might go away. Google also offers $100 when you pre-order from its store, but this might be better if you'd rather have a wider range of accessories or want to buy something else entirely.
Google's Daydream VR experiment is over
Google is bringing the Daydream VR experiment to a close. The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones it announced today don't support the platform, and it won't sell Daydream View headsets anymore. The Daydream app and store will still work for people with other Pixel devices, however.
Here's everything Google announced at the Pixel 4 event
Despite all of the leaks ahead of Google's Pixel 4 hardware event today, the company still had plenty to share. Of course, we got our first official look at the Pixelbook Go and Pixel 4/4XL, but we also got to see the new Nest Mini, Nest WiFi and Pixel Buds. And Google had plenty of new features -- like ultrasound sensing and an improved Recorder app -- to wow the crowd.
Pixel 4 won't come with free full-resolution photo storage
Ever since Google unveiled the first Pixel, people who bought one of the company's phones could expect free full-resolution photo and video storage, at least for a few years. You won't have that luxury with the Pixel 4, it seems. Google made no mention of full-quality storage at its October 15th event, and a visit to the Pixel 4's product page includes a disclaimer indicating that free storage is limited to "high quality" photos and videos that could be "compressed or resized." You're likely in the same boat as every other Google Photos user, then.
Pixel 4 XL vs. the competition: The six-inch flagships
Every major flagship always has to come in two sizes now, so it's no surprise that we're looking at yet another XL Pixel model. This handset differs from its smaller sibling in size, but has the same camera setup. However, the big phone field gets more intense every year, especially since Apple went all-in with its "Max" models. For the skinny on all the relevant specs, check out the table below. For our final verdict, keep an eye out for Engadget's full review of the Pixel 4 XL later this month.
Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL hands-on: More cameras, more ambition
Google's Pixel 4 and 4 XL have been leaked so often, and so thoroughly, that it's hard to imagine it contains any surprises at all. Thankfully, that's not completely true. Yes, early reports — including dispatches from Google itself — have exposed just about every component the folks in Mountain View used here. What most of them couldn't fully describe was how different it feels from any of Google's other phones. That's partially because of their tweaked designs, but also because Google is trying to define the Pixels by more than just clean software and great cameras.
Pixel 4 vs. the competition: The camera battle intensifies
It's been yet another Pixel phone launch preceded by a ton of leaks, but we're still glad to see the official unveiling of Google's latest flagship. This 5.7-inch device may only have two rear cameras, but the software's been refined even further to include better Night Sight and HDR+. That's to be expected in the wake of more intense competition on the camera front from Samsung and Apple. To see exactly how this specs battle is shaking out, check out the table below, and stay tuned for our full review of the Pixel 4 later this month.
The Pixel 4's Recorder app can capture and transcribe simultaneously
Google's Pixel 4 smartphone will come with a nifty new Recorder app that is sure to earn fans among journalists and students. In one of the more show-stealing parts of the company's fall hardware event, Google's Sabrina Ellis revealed she had been using the app throughout her presentation to record her part of the keynote.
Pixel 4 will be available through every major US carrier (updated)
You no longer have to subscribe to Verizon (Engadget's parent company) if you want to buy a Pixel phone directly from a US carrier. Google has announced that the Pixel 4 series will be available through all major US networks, and then some. In addition to Big Red and Google Fi, you can also expect AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, C Spire, Cellcom, Spectrum Mobile, Visible and Xfinity Mobile to carry the Android flagships.
