Made By Google October 2017 Live Blog
by Ryan Smith on October 4, 2017 11:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Android
- Chromebook
- Pixel XL 2
11:51AM EDT - I'm here at the SFJAZZ Center for Google's second Made By Google press event
11:51AM EDT - . Last year saw the release of the Pixel XL smartphone, the Chromecast Ultra, Daydream, and other Google products
11:51AM EDT - For this year's event I'm expecting a similar series of reveals
11:53AM EDT - The big expectation this year is of course a new Pixel phone, which is widely expected to be the Google Pixel XL 2
11:56AM EDT - Google has admittedly had some leaking issues, so it's likely we've already seen most, if not all of the correct specifications already
11:57AM EDT - Snapdragon 835, 18:9 screen, etc
12:00PM EDT - Meanwhile Verizon has already confirmed that it will once again be Google's exclusive partner in the US: https://twitter.com/diegoscotti/status/915581488699146241
12:00PM EDT - And here we go
12:01PM EDT - Starting with a quick discussion of recent events in the United States, and Google giving their condolences
12:02PM EDT - Moving from a mobile-first world to an AI-first world
12:03PM EDT - Discussing how AI and computer vision is being used to improve Google Street View in Lagos
12:04PM EDT - 5K kilometers of roads, 50K addresses, 100K businesses mapped
12:05PM EDT - Computers should adapt to people, not people to computers
12:06PM EDT - Google wants AI to be conversational, ambient, thoughtfully contextual, and learn & adapt
12:08PM EDT - (Ian will be especially pleased with contextual improvements)
12:09PM EDT - Google thinks the best way to do this is to leverage and combine their efforts in AI, hardware, and software
12:11PM EDT - Continuing to discuss AI improvements. AutoML has already surpassed Google's previous object detection technology
12:11PM EDT - Now on stage: Rick Osterloh
12:12PM EDT - Recapping Google's hardware launches of the past year
12:13PM EDT - And Google has continuted to grow their hardware capabilities, such as their recent partial HTC acquisition
12:13PM EDT - Now rolling a trailer
12:15PM EDT - There are now 55M Chromecast and Chromecast-enabled devices in the world
12:16PM EDT - Now on to discussing Pixel, particularly how well it did in adoption and consumer satisfaction
12:16PM EDT - "The playing field for hardware components is leveling off"
12:16PM EDT - "Moore's law [...] is a idea from the past"
12:17PM EDT - Yearly updates in particular are in jeopardy, since slowing hardware progress limits what can be done in a single year
12:18PM EDT - Instead Google will focus on a mix of AI, hardware, and software
12:18PM EDT - Now recapping the various AI features of the past year in Google's hardware products
12:19PM EDT - Though acknowledging that it's still the early days for machine learning and applications thereof
12:19PM EDT - "Radically helpful"
12:20PM EDT - "Made by Google products represent the ultimate Google experience"
12:20PM EDT - Now on stage: Rishi Chandra to talk about the Home team
12:22PM EDT - Rishi is starting with a recap of recent Home improvements such as Voice Match, and new supported regions such as Japan
12:22PM EDT - Voice Match is rolling out today to all 7 countries that Google Home is available in
12:22PM EDT - Hands-free calling is coming to the UK later this year
12:23PM EDT - And everyone is going to be getting the ability to call from their mobile number
12:23PM EDT - Now on stage: Isebelle Olsson, to talk about Home hardware
12:24PM EDT - "We design for the spaces our products live in"
12:25PM EDT - Announcing Google Home Mini
12:25PM EDT - Smaller to be put in more rooms. Cover made almost entirely out of fabric
12:26PM EDT - There are 4 lights under the fabric. And it is touch-sensitive
12:26PM EDT - Mini can be connected to any Chromecast speaker wirelessly
12:27PM EDT - 3 colors. Apparently some of these colors took a while to perfect
12:28PM EDT - MSRP $49. Available October 19th in all 7 countries that have Google Home
12:28PM EDT - Now rolling an ad
12:29PM EDT - "We can't wait for you to try out Mini"
12:30PM EDT - Now discussing new Google Assistant features. Google will be improving the Routines feature
12:30PM EDT - Google Assistant will be able to find your phone as well (including iPhones)
12:31PM EDT - Google is also working with Nest
12:31PM EDT - Now on stage: Yoky Matuoka of Nest
12:32PM EDT - Talking about how to use Nest Cam with Google Home and Chromecast
12:32PM EDT - Use voice commands to get a Chromecast to show the Nest camera
12:35PM EDT - Also using Google Home to adjust lighting, heating, and security cameras all at once
12:36PM EDT - Back on stage: Rishi
12:36PM EDT - New feature: Broadcast
12:36PM EDT - Assistant can broadcast commands to units throughout the house
12:37PM EDT - Google Home is getting Family Link account support
12:37PM EDT - Voice recognition accuracy has been improved with kids
12:37PM EDT - Now rolling an ad
12:39PM EDT - Google has partnered with Disney and WB to provide content for kids
12:39PM EDT - Rolling out later this month
12:39PM EDT - Another video
12:41PM EDT - Announcing Google Home Max
12:41PM EDT - Announcing Google Home Max
12:41PM EDT - More than 20x more powerful than the regular Home
12:42PM EDT - Also announcing Smart Sound. Allows Max to adapt to the user
12:42PM EDT - Adjust the sound balance based on position, etc. Based on machine learning
12:43PM EDT - Also adjust audio based on time of day, content, surrounding noise, etc
12:45PM EDT - $399
12:45PM EDT - Available in December
12:45PM EDT - Now rolling a video
12:47PM EDT - Now on stage: Matt Vokun
12:47PM EDT - Discussing the laptop experience
12:48PM EDT - Google Pixelbook
12:49PM EDT - 4-1 design. Tablet, laptop, tent, etc
12:49PM EDT - 12.3"
12:49PM EDT - 12.3" touchscreen
12:50PM EDT - Intel Core i5/i7 processors
12:51PM EDT - Instant Tethering with Pixel phone
12:51PM EDT - "Won't slow down over its lifetime"
12:52PM EDT - First laptop with Google Assistant
12:53PM EDT - Also has a key for typing out Assistant requests
12:53PM EDT - Google Pixelbook pen as well
12:54PM EDT - Partnered with Wacom. 10ms latency
12:54PM EDT - Full Google Play support for Pixelbook
12:55PM EDT - Many developers developing apps for the larger screen
12:55PM EDT - Now rolling a video
12:57PM EDT - An example of where Google is combining software, hardware, and AI
12:57PM EDT - Starts at $999. 3 configurations
12:57PM EDT - Ships October 31st
12:58PM EDT - The pen is a further $99
12:58PM EDT - Now on to Pixel phones
12:58PM EDT - (Google is moving at warp speed here)
12:59PM EDT - Google Pixel 2
01:00PM EDT - 5 inch and 6.2 inch XL
01:00PM EDT - All aluminum body
01:01PM EDT - Unlocks faster than any other phone
01:01PM EDT - No 3.5 inch audio jack
01:01PM EDT - 5.2" 1080p OLED display
01:02PM EDT - 3 colors
01:02PM EDT - 6 inch XL is QHD+ pOLED
01:02PM EDT - Circular polarizer
01:03PM EDT - The phones are feature-identical, other than screens
01:04PM EDT - Now discussing UI improvements
01:04PM EDT - Always on display
01:05PM EDT - On device machine learning. Local music identificat
01:05PM EDT - Live demo time
01:06PM EDT - At a glance view
01:07PM EDT - Active Edge: squeeze for Google Assistant
01:07PM EDT - Can also use squeezes for other tasks
01:08PM EDT - Getting Google Home's new routines and other features
01:09PM EDT - Launching with pure Android Oreo
01:11PM EDT - Now discussing Google Lens
01:11PM EDT - Pixels phones will get a preview this year
01:13PM EDT - Still early days for Lens
01:13PM EDT - 95% voice accuracy rate
01:14PM EDT - Now discussing augmented reality and ARcore
01:15PM EDT - ARstickers for Pixel phones
01:17PM EDT - ARstickers from multiple media brands
01:18PM EDT - Now talking about the Pixel 2's camera in depth
01:18PM EDT - Now talking about the Pixel 2's camera in depth
01:19PM EDT - 12MP camera
01:20PM EDT - OIS and new auto focus mechanism
01:20PM EDT - Adding portrait mode as well
01:20PM EDT - Google has to do it with 1 camera though
01:21PM EDT - Dual pixel camera. Left and right view pixels
01:21PM EDT - Portrait mode works on the front camera as well
01:22PM EDT - Fused video stabilization with EIS and OIS
01:22PM EDT - Getting a Live Photos mode as well
01:23PM EDT - Now rolling a video composed of clips shot on a Pixel 2
01:25PM EDT - Pixel 2 users will get free unlimited storage, including 4K videos
01:25PM EDT - Average of 23GB of photos per Pixel user
01:27PM EDT - New transfer utility. Average 10min or less
01:27PM EDT - $649 and $849
01:29PM EDT - Finally, google is including a Home Mini with the Pixel 2 for a limited time
01:29PM EDT - Now rolling a video
01:29PM EDT - I'm a bit concerned about subpixel density on the smaller phone
01:30PM EDT - If it's Pentile, then he effective resolution will be lower than 1080p
01:31PM EDT - New version of Daydream View headset
01:32PM EDT - Discussing a slate of new Daydream content to come
01:32PM EDT - $99
01:32PM EDT - Google Pixel Buds wireless earbuds
01:33PM EDT - Controls are built into the right earbud
01:34PM EDT - Now demoing a real time translation scenario using the Pixel 2 and earbuds
01:34PM EDT - Not quite real time, but still impressive
01:36PM EDT - Pocket charging case as well
01:36PM EDT - $159 available in November
01:37PM EDT - One last product
01:37PM EDT - Google Clips camera
01:38PM EDT - A camera that takes photos for hou
01:38PM EDT - Camera software determines when to take photos
01:39PM EDT - Looks for stable, clear shots of people the camera knows
01:39PM EDT - All AI is processed locally
01:41PM EDT - $249. Coming soon
01:41PM EDT - Recapping how this blends AI, hardware, and software
01:43PM EDT - And that's a wrap. Time for a hands on
27 Comments
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zeeBomb - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Seems like AI is the huge centerpiece of today's keynote.quiksilvr - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
HAHAHAHAH! $849 for the XL?! Get outta here with that nonsense.soliloquist - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
The pricing is a little disappointing. I guess if you were already planning to get a google home its like a $50 discount, but still.Camera looks nice, other wise seems like more of the same.
crimson117 - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I really just don't understand the rush to get rid of 3.5mm headphone jacks.kaesden - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
I dont understand it either. Scratch one more potential phone purchase off my list.zuber - Thursday, October 5, 2017 - link
They want more people to play with their dongles.Bluetooth audio is lossy, so audiophiles are out of luck if they want to listen to music on their phones.
sonny73n - Saturday, October 7, 2017 - link
Audiophiles can go to the Chinese. What I have in my hands now is a $200 phone bought from Best Buy. It has 1920x1080 AMOLED display, 32-bit/192kHz audio with Dolby Atmos & Dolby Digital Plus audio enhancement. It sounds amazing with my Audio Technica headphones. Beats the hell out of my stupid iPhone 6s in term of display and sound qualities.I have ditched Google since the Nexus 5. Now all they have are overpriced junks just like Apple.
zodiacfml - Sunday, October 15, 2017 - link
I strongly agree!zodiacfml - Sunday, October 15, 2017 - link
There is. There is only a fraction of the people using it. I have no idea how much but a wild guess is less than 50% of smartphone users.boeush - Wednesday, October 4, 2017 - link
Regarding the Pixel 2, I'm not sure why we'd need a polarizer - whether circular or otherwise - on an OLED screen...