What to expect at tomorrow's Made by Google event

Tomorrow on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, Google will present its annual Made by Google event where they typically announce a plethora of hardware and software advances made by Google over the past year+. On the eve of this event, we detail what we expect to see at tomorrow's event.

Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

A rendering of the new Pixel 3 (right) and Pixel 3 XL (left)

Easily the most leaked phone to ever be released, the third generation of the Pixel phones will be formally announced. Both devices figure to include a Snapdragon 845, 4GB of Ram, and multiple storage options. Design-wise, the Pixel 3 looks like a smaller version of the Pixel 2 XL while the Pixel 3 XL will keep a large chin with the addition of the deepest notch ever created.

Both devices appear to include front-facing stereo speakers and a rear fingerprint sensor while adding wireless charging and dual front cameras. While pricing is not yet known, we can expect similar pricing to the S9 and Xs with white, black, and possibly a new mint green color available.

Pixel Stand

With Google adding wireless charging in to the Pixels, it appears they will announce a stand to be used exclusively with the Pixel 3. The desktop stand will cradle the Pixel in portait mode while wirelessly charging the device. While docked, the Pixel will work as a smart display showing weather, events, and other relevant information. The stand itself will be powered by USB-C.

Home Hub

Thanks to the likes of Lenovo and Harman, we have already been given a glimpse of the potential of Google Assistant in a Google Home with a screen. Now, it looks like Google, much like they did with the Nexus/Pixel line, is jumping in to the arena with first-party hardware in the Google Home Hub.

The new Google Home Hub

The Home Hub looks as if it will feature a 7" touch display with all the power of the Google Assistant. The design appears to have the same cloth look of the rest of the Google Home Family, but unlike the Lenovo device and Alexa-powered competitors, the Home Hub does not include a camera which eliminates the possibility of Duo calling.

Pixel Slate Tablet

The future of Chrome OS tablets is now upon us. Not long ago, it became very apparent that the future of tablet OS's was not Android, but Chrome OS, and Google looks to jump headfirst in to this with the Pixel Slate.

Designed to compete with likes of the Surface Pro and iPad Pro, the Pixel Slate will feature multiple configurations up-to including 16GB of RAM with an i7 processor. All configurations appear to feature a 3000x2000 screen, fingerprint scanner, and possibly bluetooth keyboard; it will also charge via USB-C

Wired Pixel Buds

Leaked images show a version of USB-C buds in the Pixel packaging

While it appears that Pixel Buds will not receive an update (at least not that has been talked about), there does appear to be evidence that Google will release a wired version of Pixel Buds. Recent photo leaks appear to show a pair bundled with the new Pixel photos, but there is no evidence that these are any more than an EarBud equivalent (no real time translation or touch capability).

Other updates

There are rumors that the Pixelbook may receive a refresh as well, but there is nothing suggesting this anything more than a spec update; there is no word what the name will be for these updates. In addition, thanks to a retail error in Best Buy, we now know that Chromecast will also receive an update with a refreshed look and Bluetooth added on.

Not making an appearance

Initial thought was that Google was going to make a splash in to the wearable market with the first Pixel Watch, but Google has all but confirmed that a watch by Google is not in the works for this year. In addition, it looks like there will be no hardware updates in the Android TV realm leaving the Nvidia Shield as the standard bearer, but with Project Stream beginning, we may have more updates on the future of that realm sooner rather than later.

As always, Google could certainly surprise us with other hardware announcements, but it is certainly more likely we have seen the majority of what they have to offer. However, Google software has been the Gold standard lately so there could be much more to offer (more info on Duplex?). Tune in tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. EST/8:00 a.m. PST on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsoQGTA1SxY