Google is preparing for an October event that will reportedly feature new hardware including Pixel phones, smart speaker, virtual reality platform, and ultra high-definition (UHD) media player. The Alphabet company will unveil a pair of HTC Pixel smartphones, Google Home, DayDream VR hardware, and 4K Chromecast. This confirms earlier reports that Google is dropping Nexus phones and switching to HTC-built Android handsets.
Google's event will be on October 4. Its hardware devices that focus on the smart home, virtual reality, and HD televisions will be just in time for the holiday shopping season.
The tech giant unveiled Google Home to take on Amazon Echo, and DayDream VR platform at the Google I/O dev conference in May.
A few sources have reported that Google will launch two new phones including the 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL. They will be built by Taiwan tech giant HTC, which manufactures the One S9 smartphone and Vive VR headsets. However, it seems HTC's name will appear on the box but not the phone.
Past Pixel devices have had high-end specs and high prices including the Chromebook Pixel, Pixel 2, and Pixel C tablet. The new phones might include version 7.1 (Nougat) of Android, according to PCWorld.
Google also introduced its smart speaker Google Home at I/O 2016. It is very tenable the company would launch the smart home device at the hardware show and demo how the Internet of Things (IoT) gadget works with Pixel phones.
The Silicon Valley company also introduced its Daydream VR platform at this year's I/O. At the October event the company might show how its Pixel phones are VR-ready and the ways Google's VR headset differs from Oculus-powered Samsung Gear VR.
It seems the VR platform will be called Daydream View. In addition, the company has reportedly been recruiting YouTube stars during the past few months.
Google will also probably unveil a 4K Chromecast. The device will reportedly be known as Chromecast Plus or Chromecast Ultra and support video streaming for UHD televisions.
There are no details about the location or time of Google's October event.
In related news, Google has stopped working on its modular smartphone named Project Ara, according to BBC. The phone was to include modules such as processors, cameras, and screens that could be swapped in or out.
A pilot program was announced in 2014 but cancelled last year. Modular phones prevent buying new models and creating tech waste, but the parts are expensive to produce.