Google is refreshing its hardware at an event at 11 a.m. ET on Oct. 9 in New York. We're expecting new phones, Chromecasts, and Google Assistant home devices.
PCMag will be there to bring you all the details, but if you want to watch live, Google will live stream the event on its MadeByGoogle YouTube page, which is embedded below.
Enough has leaked from the event that, at this point, Google is outright making fun of the leaks and rumors on its Instagram page.
Google Pixel 3
We have a separate rumor story for the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL. There are so many photos and videos of what purport to be these phones online, that everyone thinks they know what they look like.
The Pixel 3 XL is a largeish phone with a notched display like the iPhone XS and OnePlus 6; the smaller Pixel 3 has no notch, but top and bottom bezels on the screen.
We should expect both phones to run Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processors. The larger one would have 2,960 by 1,440 resolution; the smaller one would be more like 2,260 by 1,080. They'll have single rear cameras, but presumably very good ones. The larger phone will have a squeeze sensor like the Pixel 2 did.
Since you guys keep asking... pic.twitter.com/DpRqzsyRem — Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 21, 2018
Pixelbook 2 AKA Pixel Slate
The next version of Google's Pixelbook will attempt to shade the lines between Android tablet, Chrome tablet, and Chromebook. The "Pixel Slate" (at least that's what 9to5Google calls it) will be a convertible tablet/laptop running an Intel Amber Lake i7 processor, with 8GB or 16GB or RAM and a 3,000-by-2,000 screen.
Over the weekend, a website called "MySmartPrice.com" (which I have to say, I've never heard of) published what it claims are exclusive images of the Pixel Slate, showing a very slim tablet with front-facing stereo speakers and a USB-C port. The tablet has front and back cameras, and four pogo pins on the bottom to attach a keyboard accessory. The keyboard has circular keys.
Veteran tech journalist Kevin Tofel says there will be four processor configurations for the Pixel Slate, with Intel Core i7, i5, i3 and Celeron processors.
Our current understanding of the Pixel Slate runs counter to a lot of other rumors that cropped up in September, mostly that Google would have two devices, at least one of them being a traditional form-factor laptop with an Intel Kaby Lake processor. That said, we think 9to5's most recent story is probably on the money.
Google Pixel Slate: Everything we know about Google's new flagship convertible tablet so far https://t.co/7RCL4mGQOh by @SkylledDev pic.twitter.com/sBcDNKovn8 — 9to5Google (@9to5Google) October 2, 2018
Google Home Hub
Google has so far let third parties build Smart Displays to go with the Google Assistant. We've reviewed the Lenovo and JBL versions of the idea. Those partnerships are about to be joined by the Google Home Hub, which looks like a white or gray tablet on a fabric stand.
Google is leaving room for its partners by keeping this display small at 7 inches, which is smaller than the Lenovo Smart Display. That also will keep the price very low; it's rumored to be as little as $149. And it undercuts the Amazon Echo Show by $70.
9to5Google's rumor rundown has the full details and images.
Exclusive: Here's The Charcoal Google Home Hub Smart Display - Android Headlines https://t.co/6txHLJRWSG pic.twitter.com/W7eG0w41f9 — Google Home News (@GoogleHomeNews) September 26, 2018
New Chromecast
So apparently this guy on Reddit managed to buy a new Chromecast at Best Buy because of a stocking error, according to BGR. Now we know what that does.
The new Chromecast is a little thicker than the previous one, and it gets rid of the magnetic HDMI connector. T3 reports that it has a faster 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth LE, and sticks with the MicroUSB charging port.
One question up in the air is whether the Chromecast will be able to use a physical remote; can you use it without your phone? Rumors contradict each other at this point.
Best Buy is already stocking the unannounced third-generation Chromecast https://t.co/bvmjpXromA pic.twitter.com/DvkovVbamU — Android Police (@AndroidPolice) September 29, 2018
New Google Home, Mini, and Max
There isn't a lot out there about a refreshed line of Google Home devices. Google just announced a new color for the Google Home Mini, aqua, to match a rumored new "mint" color for the Pixel 3, so that may be a sign not to expect any major redesigns.
But Google's core lineup of smart speakers is a year old, and it may be time for a design refresh as much as anything else. For instance, the Google Home may go to an all-fabric-covered design, to match some of the look on the new Home Hub.
Editor's Note: This story was updated on Oct. 8 with more Pixel Slate details.