Pixel 4
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Google Assistant has a new look on the Pixel 4
Google has given Assistant an overhaul, giving it a fresh look for Pixel 4 and making the voice assistant more useful, with a better understanding of context for the information or actions you ask it about. At the Made by Google event, the company showcased some of what the new Assistant has in store, including a zippy flow from Maggie Rogers' Twitter account to her upcoming shows, sharing that info with a friend and looking for tickets using the Continued Conversation feature.
Google shows Motion Sense gestures in action on the Pixel 4
Yep, Google's new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL phones will have radar built-in. At a glitzy launch event in New York City, the company reiterated that both handsets will be the first to ship with its new motion-sensing Soli chip. These will enable the "fastest secure face unlock" in the industry, the company claimed, and a number of aptly-named Motion Sense gestures. The phone will, for instance, power down when you walk away and switch on as you saunter back over. You'll also be able to change music tracks, silence calls and greet Pokémon on your home screen with a quick wave.
Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL have built-in radar
When a phone has been leaked this extensively, it's hard to develop much enthusiasm for a device that you're already familiar with. Google has, however, finally announced its 2019 flagship smartphones, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, at its late-2019 Made by Google event. The two new devices are focused around "natural interactions," with new colors and finishes, and some truly innovative photography features.
We're live at the Made by Google 2019 launch event!
It's a beautiful, Fall day in New York City, and there's no better way to start it off than with a coffee, a long queue of journalists outside The Shed, and the promise of some new Google hardware.
Watch Google's Pixel 4 event right here at 10AM ET
Yes, it's finally time -- A month after the invitations went out, the next Made by Google event is upon us. You can watch the livestream here starting at 10AM Eastern in addition to following our liveblog. There's a lot expected at this event, and the Pixel 4 phones are really just the beginning of what's on tap. Many anticipate a more capable Nest Mini smart speaker, a Nest WiFi system with voice control beacons and a Pixelbook Go laptop. And that's not including new Google Assistant tricks or other developments. Google still tends to have a few surprises in store at these events even after all the leaks, so it's worth tuning in if you want to catch everything.
Pixel 4 pre-order at Best Buy Canada confirms key specs
Believe it or not, the Pixel 4 leaks still haven't stopped ahead of Google's October 15th event. Best Buy Canada briefly posted (and has since pulled) a pre-order page for Google's new phones that confirmed numerous details. Both the regular Pixel 4 and its XL counterpart should have dual rear cameras (12-megapixel main and 16-megapixel telephoto), speedy Smooth Displays and Snapdragon 855 processors with 6GB of RAM. It also alludes to hands-free controls as Quick Gestures and suggests you'll once again have a promo that offers unlimited full-quality photo and video uploads to Google Photos -- at least, for a while.
The Engadget Podcast: Is macOS Catalina Apple's Vista?
MacOS Catalina is here, and it's... kind of a mess. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn are joined by Engadget Editor-in-Chief Dana Wollman to discuss Apple's latest desktop OS. The big question: Is Catalina Apple's Vista? (Pro-tip: Don't rush to upgrade.) We also ponder what Google will show off at next week's Pixel event; chat about PG&E's widespread power outages in California; and dive into the weirdness of Andy's Rubin's latest Essential phone, Project Gem. 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 A rundown of MacOS Catalina issues Our MacOS Catalina preview What to expect at the Made by Google event Our California power outage explainer Andy Rubin shows off Project Gem Credits Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Terrence O'Brien
What to expect at the Made By Google event next week
We're less than a week away from Google's hardware event in New York, and Team Engadget will be there to report live from the ground. The leaks and even official reports on Google's next smartphones have been relentless, so much so that we've learned even more about the company's upcoming devices since we wrote about them last month. Here's an update on what we expect from Google, based on the latest tidbits.
Google is reportedly testing a 5G version of the Pixel 4
Seemingly everything regarding the Pixel 4 has already leaked, but there might still be room on the pile for more. Nikkei sources claim Google has started "test production" on a 5G version of the Pixel 4 in China (though it might be produced in Vietnam). It would still use the Snapdragon 855 expected in the LTE models, according to the tipsters. There's no mention of other functional changes, so don't count on getting more than faster wireless if this proves accurate.
Google's Pixel 4 may invoke Assistant when you raise the phone
It's not that difficult to invoke Google Assistant on most Pixel phones, whether it's saying "hey Google," squeezing the sides or making an on-screen gesture. With the Pixel 4, however, it might become downright trivial. A 9to5Google report claims the upcoming device will let you start Assistant commands just by raising your device and starting to speak. You'd just have to do what comes instinctively to ask about the weather or turn on some lights.
You'll be able to wave at Pokémon on the Pixel 4
After so many photo and video leaks, the daily revelations about the Google Pixel 4 can officially be referred to as a deluge. The latest comes from 9to5Google, in the form of a tech demo for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL's radar-equipped motion sensor. The proof-of-concept app lets users pet, splash and wave at Pokémon characters using vertical and horizontal hand gestures.
Google’s Pixel 4 will feature something called a ‘Pixel Neural Core’
Another day, another Pixel 4 leak. After a veritable deluge of feature reveals, including accessible Face ID, car crash detection, an updated Recorder app and touchless gestures, we now know its official specifications -- and they pretty much confirm earlier spec rumors that, like everything else about the phone, were also leaked ahead of the official Pixel 4 event.
Contractors say they were told to lie while collecting Pixel 4 face scans
This summer, we learned that Google had embarked on a wide scale project to collect facial recognition data, which the company said was necessary to build "fairness" into face unlocking for its Pixel 4, which will be officially unveiled on October 15th. A new report from the New York Daily News has more details on where Google sent people to collect that data, and what they were told to do by the company that hired them as contractors for the project. The people collecting the data worked as TVCs -- the "temporary, vendor and contractors" who outnumber Google's own employees on the company's roster -- for an employment firm called Randstad. While the statement Google gave to media this summer indicated that participants signed a consent form allowing for the use of their data, including everything from infrared response to how they picked up the phone from the table, temp workers the paper talked to said they were trained to be pushy, and even lie to people about what was going on. Google told the News that it was investigating claims that "dubious" tactics were used, as the reporters cited several people who said they participated without any clear idea of what was going on or who the data was for. According to the contractors cited, they had a mandate to pursue "darker skin tones," which included pushes to collect scans from homeless people and college students -- the former because they'd be less likely to talk to the media, and all of them because they'd be willing to do it in exchange for $5 Starbucks gift cards.
Leaked Google videos show the Pixel 4's 'Motion Sense' gestures in action
After all the countless Pixel 4 leaks, you may have tuned out at this point, but for those that are still paying attention, 9to5Google has shared what it says are official marketing videos Google will release to promote the phone. The two sets of videos show the Pixel 4's Soli-powered "Motion Sense" gestures in action, as well as the new, faster Assistant the phone will include before any other Android device.
Another Pixel 4 leak reveals a transcription-centric Recorder app
Google's not doing a great job of keeping details of its forthcoming Pixel 4 quiet. Following leaks about its take on accessible Face ID, and more recently its car crash detection feature, new info has emerged about its updated Recorder app. At the moment, Google's simple Recorder app lets you record audio from a microphone, and not much else. But according to Mishaal Rahman at XDA Developers, it's set to get an upgrade that'll make it a lot more useful.
Google stuck a giant coral Pixel 4 ad in Times Square
It looks like Google definitely plans to release a coral-colored variant of the Pixel 4. On Monday, the same day the company invited journalists to its October 15th event in New York City, Google put an ad up on the Marriott Marquis building in Times Square. The ad, first spotted by Reddit user 'LousyTX,' invites onlookers to put October 15th in their calendars. More interestingly, it gives us our first official look at the Pixel 4 in its vibrant new color. The model had leaked in the multiple pre-release hands-on videos that were uploaded throughout last week.
What to expect at Google's October 15th Pixel 4 event
Google has taken a novel approach with the Pixel 4 by sharing some information ahead of time. But, we don't know everything about its next flagship. And there's a big launch event coming up soon. On October 15th in New York City, the company will officially announce the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, as well as a host of other Made by Google devices. So let's take a quick look at what we know, what we think we know and what we know we don't know.
Google's Pixel 4 event takes place October 15th
After a cornucopia of leaks, Google is finally ready to show what the Pixel 4 is all about. The internet giant has sent out invitations to see "a few new things Made by Google" at an October 15th event in New York City. It's not offering many clues about what to expect, but... c'mon -- you can safely assume the Pixel 4 and 4 XL will be the centerpieces of the event with their touch-free gestures and 90Hz displays. It's everything else that's less certain.
Deluge of Pixel 4 photos confirms a few of the phone's key specs
If you thought the torrent of detailed Pixel 4 leaks was over, you have another thing coming. Vietnamese phone shop D Store Mobile has sent nearly two dozen photos of a pre-release Pixel 4 XL to The Verge that appear to confirm some of its previously rumored specs. Notably, the main rear camera will snap shots with a brighter f/1.73 aperture (versus f/1.8 on the Pixel 3). The telephoto camera's specs aren't available, but you can safely presume there will be improvements to low-light photos and some close-ups.
Yet another leak details the Pixel 4’s accessible take on Face ID
The Pixel 4 XL leaks continue this week with a new look at the phone's face unlock functionality. While Google confirmed the Pixel 4 would include facial authentication when it detailed the phone's Soli chip in July, this is the first time we've seen the feature in action. Thanks to Vietnamese tech blogger Genk, we get to see how setup works, as well as the adorable animation that accompanies the entire process.
