Early this morning, Google pulled back the curtain on a suite of new products at their event in San Francisco including the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, new Google Home products, a 2-in-1 notebook and earbuds. If you were peacefully sleeping during the announcements – I don’t blame you – and you can read about all the new products coming to Australia, right here.
Yes, it was a veritable smorgasbord of Google products on show earlier today and we’ve rounded up the most relevant ones to Australian consumers – with links to buy!
My pick for most interesting product of the event? Google getting into the earphone game with their ‘Pixel Buds’.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
After months of speculation and a few weeks of design leaks, Google introduced everyone to the second-generation of their flagship phones – the Google Pixel 2 and the Google Pixel 2 XL. Aesthetically? I’m not convinced. Technologically? They’ve made some powerful enhancements and still tout their camera as the best smartphone camera you can buy. They’ve also included ‘Active Edge’ technology, which allows you to squeeze the side of your phone like you’re giving it a cuddle to perform various functions – activating Google Assistant to message, play music and get the weather.
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/google-pixel-2-and-pixel-2-xl-australian-pricing-specs-and-release-date/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/10/pixel23.jpg” title=”Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL: Australian Pricing, Specs And Release Date” excerpt=”Google has lifted the lid on their newest smartphones – the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL – at their event in San Francisco this morning and detailed the changes they’ve made to their flagship phones. There aren’t too many big changes, but under-the-hood, the Pixel 2 is a different beast than its predecessor. If you’re planning on grabbing a Pixel 2 or a Pixel 2 XL, here’s everything you need to know, including Australian pricing, release date and specifications.”]
Pixel Buds
Google enters the earphone game with ‘Pixel Buds’, a pair of bluetooth buds and access to Google Assistant via the right earbuds touchpad. They come with a pocket-sized case that can charge the headphones for five hours of listening time, filters out background noise when you’re using the microphone and quick connects to Android devices by opening the case when they are in proximity.
Incredibly, Google is touting real-time translation with Google Translate via Google Assistant and they demoed this tech on stage by translating between Swedish and English. According to Google, this feature will support 40 languages
They will cost $249 in Australia and you can join the waitlist at the Google Store now.
Google Home Mini
We’re fans of the Google Home at Lifehacker, but the price point has always been a little bit of an issue. Today, Google expanded the Google Home family by introducing the Google Home Mini: A donut-shaped speaker powered by Google Assistant. Mini is the right adjective, because it is tiny – but Google aren’t suggesting they skimped on the 360 sound at all – and it’s a whole lot cheaper.
It also speaks Australian, mate.
It comes in Chalk, Charcoal and Coral and is available to buy from the Google store now. It releases October 19.
Google Daydream View
Google’s VR headset gets an update, with the major differences being a wider field of view and improved comfort due to ‘soft, breathable fabric’ and a removable top strap. You can also slide the Daydream controller into the side of the headstrap which is a small change, but a welcome one. The full list of compatible phones is here.
The updated Daydream View costs $149. You can buy them from the Google Store right now in Fog, Charcoal or Coral, but will have to wait ‘three to four weeks’ for delivery.
Other Announcements
Google also announced the Google Home Max, a beefed up version of the Google Home set to rival home speaker setups such as Sonos and Bose, the Pixelbook, a 2-in-1 Chromebook which is only 10mm thick and weighs just one kilogram and Google Clips, a digital camera that uses AI and machine learning to take pictures for you like a really, really smart GoPro.
No word on when, exactly, Australians will be seeing these products but as soon as we know, we’ll update you with as much information as we can get!
Are you excited about any of the new products Google are releasing? Let us know in the comments!