Just The Good Stuff From Today's Google's Pixel Event
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​Google has wrapped up its annual Made By Google hardware, where it announced the new Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL, the Pixel Slate tablet, the Google Home Hub and more. Here's a breakdown of the important stuff:

The Pixel 3 And 3XL

The Pixel 3 will start at $799 and the 3XL at $899 (you can pre-order now). The extensive leaks turned out to be accurate, with no secret "Pixel Ultra" appearing. The Pixel 3 adopts the look of the Pixel 2XL, while the Pixel 3XL adopts a (rather large) notch design (The Verge has some more photos):

 

They come in 3 colors, the third of which Google insists is "not pink":

 

The Pixel 3's Camera

The Pixel 2 is still considered by many the best smartphone camera available, but it looks like Google managed to find a few ways to upgrade. The most exciting is Night Sight, which uses machine learning (rather than flash) for low-light photos. We'll have to see how it performs in real world tests, but if this example is close to accurate then whoo boy:

 

In addition, the 3 and 3XL contain a front-facing, wide-angle Group Selfie feature. It looks useful!

 

Google also touted a Super Res Zoom feature, which uses machine learning to piece together a burst of slightly different shots. We're going to wait to see how that one performs in the real world. 

Another nifty feature is Top Shot, which promises to capture a selection of shots in addition to the one you shoot — just in case you time it badly:

 

Some more photo features that were only mentioned briefly:

  • Google Lens is integrated into the camera
  • Photo booth feature, which takes a picture when you smile
  • Auto motion focus
  • Color pop for portrait mode

The Pixel Stand

The Pixel Stand wireless charger essentially turns your Pixel into a Google Home. Like the Home Hub, it turns your Pixel into a live photo frame when not in use. 

 

Duplex And Call Screening

Google Duplex (that AI thing that calls places to make reservations for you) will launch next month on the Pixel 3:

 

Also coming: a call screening service, to help you deal with the rising tide of spam calls:

 

Google Pixel Slate

The Google Pixel Slate, which appears to be the successor to the Pixelbook starts at $599 for just the tablet. Google feels good about the screen, which does look nice (and has a slightly higher PPI than the iPad Pro):

 

The power button is also a fingerprint sensor:

 

The interface is like a mobile device (including suggested actions, similar to the Pixel phone launcher), but Product Director for Google Hardware Trond Wuellner says it offers a desktop-like experience.

 

 

The Slate's cameras are getting some the tech that's in the Pixel phones, including portrait mode for the rear camera:

 

Pixel Slate Keyboard

The keyboard will cost $199. It does not have a physical connector — it snaps together magnetically — and the tilt can be adjusted to any angle:

 

Google Home Hub

Hub is available for pre-order today at $149 (including 6 free months of YouTube Premium). It comes in 4 colors and can recognize the voices of family members to "offer personalized experiences."

 

Home Hub centralizes smart home controls, including Nest cameras, under Home View. It also works on your phone:

 

When it's not in use, Home Hub uses Google Photos to display updating albums from your photo library. It also uses shared albums, so your relatives' and friends' photos can show up on your Hub. Hub has "Downtime mode," where nobody can interact with the Hub:

 

Home Hub does not have a camera on it (unlike Facebook's Portal, announced yesterday).

What Else?

Notably absent were announcements about updates to the Chromecast, Pixel Buds and the Digital Wellbeing features announced at I/O. Google focused throughout the keynote on the new Titan security chip, integrated into the Pixel 3 and Pixel Slate, which they say will make personal data on your device more secure. And that's pretty much it! 

The new devices are available for pre-order at Google's online store.

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