Google October 4th event

[linkgoron]

Well, there's already a thread about the Pixel phones, but I was wondering if people here are interested in the other things that will be released next week.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/09/google-confirms-october-4th-event-prepare-for-pixel-phones/

Google home will try to take on Amazon Echo. A voice activated smart hub I assume? The rumoured price point of 130$ is a bit cheaper than the Echo's 180$ price tag.

Chomrcast Ultra will probably (at least) bring HDR and 4k. For 70$ (vs the 35$ Chromecast 2) I'm expecting something a little bit more interesting.

I have no interest in VR, but Daydream VR is also rumored for an October 4th launch.

Other rumors include:

Google Wifi a router which, according to Android Police "sources", will have "smart features - probably similar to OnHub in some respects".

There are also some rumors about a "Chrome OS/Android" merger/unification/whatever announcement or demonstration, but I'm not really sure what we'll see here.

 

[tsupersonic]

After the underwhelming releases of Duo, Nougat, and Allo, I have extremely low expectations from Google.

Personally, I'm not interested in the other rumored products. My Chromecast works just fine, I have a Wink Hub that works fine, and not much interest in Daydream.

 

[Commodus]

My main question: will Google Home be available outside of the US? It's always funny how people tout the supremacy of the Echo while forgetting that it has only been available in the US for most of its existence -- it's only just reaching the UK. Google (and possibly Apple) may win simply by selling its smart speaker in other countries.

 

[Anubis]

im excited for the phone, I don't care what it looks like physically, as long as it does what its supposed to im happy because its smaller vs the 6p which is just slightly too large

http://www.androidheadlines.com/2016/09/google-pixel-pixel-xl-nexus-5x-sized-together.html

 

[sweenish]

I don't see how Nougat was underwhelming. It's a solid release.

 

[tsupersonic]

I don't see how Nougat was underwhelming. It's a solid release.

It's definitely an improvement over Marshmallow. I like these features: multi-window, quick switch between apps, new notifications, ability to change dpi, and editable quick settings. The only downside is the battery life is absolutely terrible compared to M, which is a bit ironic since N is supposed to "Doze on the go." It's a significant drop about a 15-20% decrease compared to M. Anyways, the features are nice, but they are a 6.1 release at best rather than a major release. N is also underwhelming compared to iOS 10 - which seems to have progressed much farther than its predecessor.

Google's communication/marketing department seriously needs some work. They were very quiet about Allo, Duo, and Nougat, but they seem to be marketing the hell out of the Oct. 4 announcements...

 

[sweenish]

I don't see how any feature you mentioned for Nougat is overshadowed by iOS 10 at all. The only thing I even remember from the iOS 10 announce was iMessage features. As in, things you don't need a new OS for at all.

As for the battery life, my only experience is with a custom Nougat ROM on my N7 2013. Doze on the Go is fantastic there. Since it spends the majority of a day idle, I get about a whole extra day of use before it has to be charged again. The battery life changes for users are varied enough that there is likely something you can do to fix it.

/rant
I think it's funny how the releases of Duo and Allo have somehow made everyone Hangouts diehards, as well. When the day before Duo released, Hangouts was the laughing stock of Android messaging, now it's some unsung hero. I won't pretend to understand the literal stupidity, same for the Pixel leaks. The exact same thing was happening last year with the 6P, but no one is capable of learning, it seems. All the people expecting overnight 180 degree turns are just dumb. "Just" integrate it into Hangouts is the best example.

Google is making a big effort in making this Oct. 4 announcement known (bigger than they ever have), and if you honestly think Nougat, Duo, Allo aren't going to play a big role in the next Pixel phones' hype, I really have nothing else to say.

 

[Red Storm]

I am excited for the event. New phones, new tablets, new laptops, and other stuff. Even if I don't end up buying any of them, I still want to see them unveiled.

Duo has been a huge hit with my family, everyone uses it now. Allo not so much. While I think the Google Assistant is a cool feature - especially in a group chat - right now the only other person who uses it that I know is my wife, so if that continues we'll just go back to Hangouts.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Amazon has a $50 version of the Echo which can connect to other speakers. I think Google Home might be nice but frankly, I am not sure I'd trust Google to support and grow it like Amazon has with Echo.

 

[Roland00Address]

I am wondering if we will see any google tv devices, not necessarily by google but can be by third parties. Especially since the chromecast features are built within google tv.

 

[sweenish]

I'm thinking that the Xiaomi device will be announced as officially available, at least.

 

[Zaap]

Heh, somehow when I think Google events I think:

aka

And I just think, "eh. Whatever they come out with, I'll probably have to wait for the 2nd gen better thought through version of it before I care."

 

[mrochester]

It'll be interesting to see whether Google can make Android competitive with iOS with these releases.

 

[WelshBloke]

It'll be interesting to see whether Google can make Android competitive with iOS with these releases.

Jeez. I hope they don't dumb it down that much!

 

[Kazukian]

Andromeda rumored to be a Windows type OS that'll run on everything from phones to PC's.

That'll mix things up, sounds cool.

 

[Roland00Address]

Heh, somehow when I think Google events I think:

That device was never sold to the public (it is called the nexus q). It was a beta device was given to developers and they announced the planned price if the device was sold, but that price was ludicrous. They regularly give goodies at Google IO when Google is pushing new form factors and such.

Some past Google IO goodies
2009 HTC Magic
2010 HTC Evo 4G / Motorola Droid / Nexus One
2011 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tablet / Series 5 Chromebook / Verizon MiFi
2012 Galaxy Nexus / Nexus 7 / Nexus Q / Chromebox
2013 Chromebook Pixel
2014 LG G Watch / Samsung Gear Live / Moto 360 / Google Cardboard
2015 Nexus 9 / Improved Google Cardboard
2016 None (google is trying to move away from these giveaways)

------

Note Google IO is a developer conference, Oct 4 is not Google IO but instead a device to launch hardware and software directed at the public instead of to announce new apis and off events that teach software developers how to use the new opportunites google is creating in software and new hardware form factors.

 

[Kazukian]

That device was never sold to the public (it is called the nexus q). It was a beta device was given to developers and they announced the planned price if the device was sold, but that price was ludicrous. They regularly give goodies at Google IO when Google is pushing new form factors and such.

Some past Google IO goodies
2009 HTC Magic
2010 HTC Evo 4G / Motorola Droid / Nexus One
2011 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tablet / Series 5 Chromebook / Verizon MiFi
2012 Galaxy Nexus / Nexus 7 / Nexus Q / Chromebox
2013 Chromebook Pixel
2014 LG G Watch / Samsung Gear Live / Moto 360 / Google Cardboard
2015 Nexus 9 / Improved Google Cardboard
2016 None (google is trying to move away from these giveaways)

------

Note Google IO is a developer conference, Oct 4 is not Google IO but instead a device to launch hardware and software directed at the public instead of to announce new apis and off events that teach software developers how to use the new opportunites google is creating in software and new hardware form factors.

You were able to pre order one, but Google actually shipped the pre orders and refunded everyone's $. I always thought that was a classy move.

 

[WelshBloke]

Heh, somehow when I think Google events I think:

 

[Commodus]

I can't help but be nervous whenever Google introduces a connected home product. Outside of Chromecast, it has a pretty lousy track record. The Nexus Q is the classic example, but Android@Home also died almost as soon as it was announced. And how many people bought Nexus Players? Google Home seems like it'd be fairly safe, but I'd want to get a feel for how well it works before committing to it.

 

[zerocool84]

I hope rumors of a new Nexus 7 or Nexus 8 are true. The 2013 Nexus 7 was a great device but it's in desperate need of a hardware update. I still use mine everyday but performance sucks.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I can't help but be nervous whenever Google introduces a connected home product. Outside of Chromecast, it has a pretty lousy track record. The Nexus Q is the classic example, but Android@Home also died almost as soon as it was announced. And how many people bought Nexus Players? Google Home seems like it'd be fairly safe, but I'd want to get a feel for how well it works before committing to it.

I'm pretty invested in Amazon's Echo ecosystem (5 and counting), but will keep an eye on Google Home (and Apple's competitor) and may even purchase one of each to play with. I'm not opposed to replacing Echo with Home across the board, but Google seems to announce and drop products on a whim and I think I'll need to see some solid support and updates over the course of a year or so before I'd commit to replacing Echo with another product. Amazon has some work to do with the Echo, but the support and growth has been astounding. I think Google is going to have a hard time fighting that even if their product is better.

Otherwise, like Zerocool, I am interested in hearing about the Nexus 7 refresh. I like to have current iOS and Android devices in my house and since I am about 90% sure I'm going iPhone this round as a phone replacement (and we already have 4 current iPads), I'd like a new Android tablet. I would then take my current Nexus 7 and probably mount it in a frame and use it as a dedicated HA controller.

 

[Kazukian]

Alphabet's ad push is curious, would like to see nexus/pixel get popular enough to shame the manufacturers into delivering timely OS updates.

 

[Megatomic]

I don't see how any feature you mentioned for Nougat is overshadowed by iOS 10 at all. The only thing I even remember from the iOS 10 announce was iMessage features. As in, things you don't need a new OS for at all.

As for the battery life, my only experience is with a custom Nougat ROM on my N7 2013. Doze on the Go is fantastic there. Since it spends the majority of a day idle, I get about a whole extra day of use before it has to be charged again. The battery life changes for users are varied enough that there is likely something you can do to fix it.

/rant
I think it's funny how the releases of Duo and Allo have somehow made everyone Hangouts diehards, as well. When the day before Duo released, Hangouts was the laughing stock of Android messaging, now it's some unsung hero. I won't pretend to understand the literal stupidity, same for the Pixel leaks. The exact same thing was happening last year with the 6P, but no one is capable of learning, it seems. All the people expecting overnight 180 degree turns are just dumb. "Just" integrate it into Hangouts is the best example.

Google is making a big effort in making this Oct. 4 announcement known (bigger than they ever have), and if you honestly think Nougat, Duo, Allo aren't going to play a big role in the next Pixel phones' hype, I really have nothing else to say.

*mic drop* I can't add to this, good job.

 

[Megatomic]

Oh, I can add. I love my OPO but I'm due for an upgrade. I am really looking forward to the 5" Pixel.

 

[Commodus]

I don't see how any feature you mentioned for Nougat is overshadowed by iOS 10 at all. The only thing I even remember from the iOS 10 announce was iMessage features. As in, things you don't need a new OS for at all.

Not to downplay Nougat, as it's an important step forward and pretty sweet, but iOS 10 is definitely bigger than its iMessage features. A few things stand out to me as unique compared to Android: a central smart home app, on-device object recognition for photos and very smart uses of 3D Touch (you can get widgets just by pressing hard on an app icon, for example). Some other aspects are mostly catch-up, but welcome (like rich notifications with conversation histories).

At any rate: hardware is definitely the focus of Google's event, and it'll be interesting to see if there's anything unique the Pixels, Google Home and Google WiFi (assuming the latter shows up) do that other devices don't.