A funny question I had was when Google will make phones, and services, good enough to convince actual Googlers not to use Iphones haha.
Apple has leaks already though.As a Googler, probably because Google compared to Apple has a very open culture. Apple is well known to have a very secretive culture as as Google is much more open.
The regular Pixel 8 isn't that much bigger than the S23, and I say this as someone who doesn't want a big phone. If push comes to shove, I could see myself tolerating a Pixel 8. Assuming they keep it consistent, same with the Pixel 9.
The big news this time around is that the smaller Pixel 9 is apparently getting three cameras. The cameras show up in the exact same layout as the Pixel 9 Pro renders, and it's pretty obvious that the third is a telephoto lens using a periscope design. That's evidenced by the rectangular shape seen in the render. This is great news for those who prefer a smaller device but don't want to give up a camera sensor.
The biggest thing missing for me in Pixels / Android over iOS are native Google Home widgets that let me control my smart home appliances and thermostat - absolutely nuts that Google doesn't support this yet considering Android widgets are otherwise better than iOS's in a lot of other ways. That native HomeKit support via widget and via control center is too helpful for my lifestyle.
Ugh I hate the rounded design and that horrible rounded camera bump. One of the things I loved the most about Pixels is that they bucked the rounded off corners trend and were still making boxy phones.
Aren't those available when you pull down the controls from the top of the screen? I switched over to iOS from android but I'm 100% confident I controlled all of my smart home stuff in the drawer that you pull down from the top of the screen. I loved it, it's something I really miss on iOS, having to go into the Google home app to get those controls. They also had dynamic sliders for lights, thermostat, etc, not just on"m/off. I used the Google home app to set them up
I could set up and locate on-device control center toggle/sliders for my MIL's Pixel 8 (like brightness, volume, etc) but I couldn't find any way to add widgets or OS-level toggles/sliders for Google Home devices. Those were only in the Google Home app. I may have well missed something but I know for certain that Home was not a Widget option when adding a Widget, where HomeKit now allows for auto or custom iOS widgets.
Fold 2?
Wtf that camera.
Google Pixel Fold 2 leaks with wild new rear camera, new hinge, taller display
Following leaked renders of the Pixel 9 series, it seems the Pixel Fold 2 is joining the “prominent camera bump”...9to5google.com
So now it's:This corroborates our Pixel roadmap leak from 2022. Back then, we mentioned that the Pixel 9 could have a 6.1-inch display similar to the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 Pro with the codename "caiman" would have all the expected Pro Pixel features in a smaller 6.3-inch display and correspondingly sized body. Then there would be the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL with the device codename "komodo" and a 6.7-inch display.
This form factor might get me to jump back to Android.
Looks nice.
What is the unlock mechanism for the newest Pixels? Fingerprint on/under the screen, face unlock, some combo?
View: https://x.com/AndroidAuth/status/1772979445021753852?s=20
So now it's:
Pixel 9 - 6.1
Pixel 9 Pro - 6.3
Pixel 9 Pro XL Biggie Size - 6.7