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The Made by Google event on Thursday will feature more than just the new Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch. Google has also said that new Nest products will be features — although it looks like Google announced those devices a few days early.
Specifically, the Nest smart home products announced this week include the Google Nest Wifi Pro (pictured above), the second-generation Nest Doorbell, and a revamped Google Home app. Editor in chief Mike Prospero is particularly happy about the changes to Google Home, as they’ll add the ability for smart home devices to turn on or off based on the state of another device. That should make Google’s smart home platform more comparable to what Apple and Amazon provide.
As for Google’s new router, here are some reasons to buy and skip the Google Nest Wifi Pro.
One thing we know will be different between the Google Pixel Watch and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the bands. Google is using a proprietary connection system for its bands that may throw wearers for a loop at first.
Thankfully, the default Active bands have leaked prior to the expected Pixel Watch so we know how they work. It should be pretty easy once you get the hang of it, but it definitely seems to be a different approach than what we’ve seen on other smartwatches.
Of course, leaks are all well and good, but what we really want to know is if the Pixel Watch is the best smartwatch out there. Especially for Android users, who already have great options in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
Luckily, we were thinking the same thing and put the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 up against the Google Pixel Watch. Read on to see whether or not we think the Pixel Watch can be one of the best Wear OS devices out there when it debuts.
One of the best things about smartwatches is that they allow for a lot of customization. And that’s set to be true for the Google Pixel Watch, with reliable tipster OnLeaks posting a range of faces the Pixel Watch will support, as well as a mix of straps.
These straps go from block color silicone and leather versions, to a form of woven strap and what looks like a more durable set of straps for outdoor use. When it comes to colors, they’re all a bit more muted than we might have expected from Google, with only the green and red fabric options providing a more playful look.
Right, let’s talk Pixel Watch. If you’ve wondered what it might look like outside of glamorous Google renders and lifestyle images, then take a look at some of these images from an early Google Pixel Watch unboxing video.
While the design looks pleasingly minimal, you can see the chunky display bezels, which may be off-putting for some. I (Roland Moore-Colyer) am still open to the design, which looks a bit like an Apple Watch crossed with a Galaxy Watch 5. I’d need to try one out before I got convinced to move away from Cupertino’s smartwatch.
If you decide that you’re not into the Google October event for the Pixel 7 phones, rather you’re waiting for the Pixel Watch, then you may be interested in this killer Pixel 6 deal we’ve found.
You can currently grab the Google Pixel 6 (128GB) for $199 @ Best Buy (opens in new tab), which is a heck of a drop from the original $599 price tag. Clearly, Best Buy is making way for the new Google phones, but that shouldn’t put you off from getting the Pixel 6, which is one of our picks for the best Android phone.
If you’re hyped by the Google Pixel 7 Pro, what with its tweaked design and smart chip, then you may want to get it pre-ordered.
Especially, as it comes with a killer per-order gift in the form of the Pixel Watch, at least according to tech tipster Roland Quandt (opens in new tab)who also says this pre-order bonus will apply to the Pixel 7 too.
When it comes to specs, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro may seem disappointing, being just iterative upgrades over the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. But standard phone specs are not the full story here.
Rather it’s the Tensor G2 chip, which could offer a big boost in smart capabilities over the first-generation Tensor chip. That could mean we get an even better Magic Eraser, as well as a mix of new smart capabilities. This will likely be the main thrust of the Google event.
One of the biggest leaks we’ve had in the run up to the Google October event is a specs dump for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. These are as previously rumored and expected, especially with the cameras comprising a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 10.8MP selfie snappers on both phones, with the Pixel 7 Pro also getting a 48MP telephoto camera.
What’s improved though is the zoom levels these cameras can achieve. According to the specs sheet, you can now get up to 8x Super Res Zoom (using the main camera) on the Pixel 7, up from 7x on the Google Pixel 6. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro improves on the Pixel 6 Pro’s 4x optical zoom by moving to 5x zoom, with a maximum of 30x magnification when mixing both optical and digital zoom.
Check out a screenshot of the leaked specs below.
Let’s kick things off with a fresh Google Pixel Watch leak. This one comes courtesy of serial last-minute leaker Roland Quandt, who appears to have gotten his hands on marketing materials for the Pixel Watch.
These new images seem to reveal how the Google Pixel Watch has comically large bezels. This goes against a previous video from Google that showed the smartwatch with what appears to be more screen space. This may be a tad disappointing for some, who may have been hoping for a near bezel-less screen to challenge the likes of the Apple Watch 8. But we’d need to get out hands on the Pixel Watch first before we cast any conclusions on whether big bezels are a terrible mistake or simply compliment the rounded design of the watch.