What to expect from Google’s October 4 event

Sundar Pichai, senior vice president of Android, Chrome and Apps at Google Inc., speaks during a keynote session at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, March 2, 2015. The event, which generates several hundred million euros in revenue for the city of Barcelona each year, also means the world for a week turns its attention back to Europe for the latest in technology, despite a lagging ecosystem. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Sundar PichaiSundar Pichai, senior vice president of Android, Chrome and Apps at Google Inc., speaks during a keynote session at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, March 2, 2015. The event, which generates several hundred million euros in revenue for the city of Barcelona each year, also means the world for a week turns its attention back to Europe for the latest in technology, despite a lagging ecosystem. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Sundar Pichai

Posted By: AVA JAMES October 3, 2016

And now we play the waiting game. It all kicks off in San Francisco at 9 a.m. PT / noon ET on October 4. Join us here for the liveblog!

Alphabet Inc. company Google’s October 4th event to be held in San Francisco is already generating a lot of interest. With just couple of days to go, a lot of renders leaked earlier has fuelled speculation about the Mountain View company’s announcements on that day.

Here’s a closer look at what we’re expecting to see from Google on Oct. 4.

  • Two new phones that drop the Nexus name in lieu of “Pixel”
  • Pricing, availability and more details on Google Home, the Amazon Echo competitor the company announced earlier this year
  • An upgraded 4K Chromecast video streamer
  • A successor to its OnHub Wi-Fi router
  • More information on Daydream, its new VR platform
  • A new Pixel tablet (or laptop)
  • And maybe, just maybe, a whole new operating system that combines elements of Android and Chrome OS

Google Home

The Google Home device is Google’s answer to Amazon Echo. While Google Home was first announced at the Google I/O Conference last May, this coming Tuesday’s event could be the place where the search giant may disclose more details about the device.

Home is the company’s first hardware product to include the Google Assistant, intelligent software that can answer users’ questions, perform basic functions like playing music, setting your Nest thermostat or telling you the weather forecast, keep track of their calendar, and so on. It will have a microphone and a Bluetooth speaker.

An upgraded 4K Chromecast video streamer

A recent leak uncovered by Android Police previews the release of a new 4K digital media streamer called the Chromecast Ultra.
The Ultra will retail for $69 (£55 or AU$90) — double the cost of the current Chromecast dongle.
The device would compete with new 4K video streamers from Roku, among others.

Pixel Phones

Google is widely expected to show off new smartphones during this event, as it has done in years past. But there’s one big difference: The new devices will reportedly fall under Google’s “Pixel” brand, according to reports from sites like Android Police and VentureBeat. Google smartphones have previously been given the “Nexus” label.

A New Wi-Fi Router

Google is rumoured to announce an own-brand Wi-Fi extendable router at an event on October 4th, according to Android Police’s sources. The device will be called Google Wi-Fi and will cost $129. Google Wi-Fi router will offer longer range connectivity than most off the shelf routers. It will also apparently offer some smart features similar to Google’s previous router, the OnHub, which boasts integration with Phillips smart lights, IFTTT support, all-in-one security updates and more.

Daydream VR

Meanwhile Daydream, its Android-powered VR platform is due to be released this fall (perfect timing for this event).

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