google pixel 3 xl

google smartwatch

Google plans to launch some new products this fall, including a new Pixel phone.  In addition, we can also expect a new Pixelbook as well as products from both the Home and Chromecast series.  But, what might be the most exciting news is the fact that Google might unveil their first ever Pixel Watch.  This, of course, is to accompany the Pixel 3 phones and breathe new life into the Android-based smartwatch ecosystem.  There have been earlier reports that a Pixel Watch was in the works, but it wasn’t until now that we actually have some more proof. Originally, we got this information from the well-known leaker, Evan Blass back in May.  Before that, Google rebranded the Android Wear operating system to Wear OS.  It was this move that kind of tipped us off that something might be coming.

As you’re probably well aware, Apple is the king of the smartwatch.  That’s not to say that there aren’t other wearables out there, but none that have the same abilities as the Apple Watch.  Samsung also just launched their Galaxy Watch, but its a Tizen-based device.  In late July there were reports that Google is making three distinct Pixel Watch devices – codenamed Ling, Triton, and Sardine.  But is three too many? While the shape and size of these devices haven’t been mentioned, but they should be powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform.

In addition, we’ve learned that Google has been coding the kind of app that you’d expect to see on a Wear OS device.  Known as Google Coach, the assistant app is supposed to deliver fitness and health notifications on a daily basis to users.  Coach is the kind of app that’s best suited for wearable devices, rather than smartphones.  The Pixel Watch is great news, but is it the real star of this Google show?  I would argue that the Pixel 3 XL is actually what everyone wants to see.

Since it’s initial launch, Google’s Pixel line-up of smartphones has made quite an impression.  Offering a distinct vision for a pure Android experience, the line has also been distinguished by its superlative camera performance.  Although there were some issues, 2017’s Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were solid smartphones that were incredibly popular among consumers.  This year, however, the Google Pixel XL 3 is anticipated to be their flagship phone, making the Pixel 3 the “lesser” of the two.  The new Pixel XL has a decent foundation to build upon, but it will need to hone its all-around offering if it’s going to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, the iPhone X, and even phones like Huawei P20 Pro and the HTC U12 Plus.

Google typically bypasses the major shows in order to launch its smartphones, which means we expect to see the new Google Pixel XL at the beginning of October.  It’s anticipated that the phone will start around $1,000, which is on par with other phones so there’s nothing surprising about that.  We’ve officially reached a time when it will cost you at least $1,000 to buy a smartphone.  It makes you wonder if it will increase from there?