Almost confirming the launch of its 2017 flagship smartphones, Google is now displaying a message saying, “Ask more of your phone. Oct. 4,” on Google Chrome. When clicked, the message leads to a registration page where users can register their interest with their email IDs and get notifications about Google’s October 4 announcement.
Google has also posted a video on YouTube titled, “Funny You Should Ask.” The video shows a bunch of common peeves that smartphone user have being typed into the Google Search bar. “What’s wrong with my phone’s battery?”, “Why is my phone always out of storage?”, “Why is my phone so dumb?”, are some of the questions that are shown being typed into Google Search in the video.
The teasers that all but confirm the launch of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, come a day after a billboard was spotted in Boston with the same message as the Chrome teaser. The date of the teased announcement coincides with the expected launch of the phones, which have witnessed several leaks and rumours throughout the year. Leakster Evan Blass had earlier suggested that the devices will launch on October 5.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to be premium flagship devices designed by Google and built by HTC and LG respectively. Google is said to be adopting a dual OEM strategy this year as opposed to last year. The First-gen Pixel and Pixel XL were both built by HTC.
Both the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 and not the rumoured Snapdragon 836 mobile platform. With Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google is expected to add a squeezable frame, similar to the one found on HTC's U11. The squeezable frame is expected to trigger the Google Assistant and certain applications on the two devices.
Unlike most flagships this year, Google might not be going the dual camera way. Dual cameras were also absent from previously leaked renders of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. While Google might not be jumping on to the dual camera bandwagon, it is expected to bring noteworthy improvements to the cameras on both smartphones, with a special focus on low-light photography. Also missing from the leaked Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL 3D renders was the 3.5mm headphones jack. Google might be looking to provide audio through a USB Type-C connector instead.