Google 2019 event highlights: Pixel 4, 4 XL with 90Hz displays, Soli chip announced

Google says the Pixel 4's camera is all about the software and less about the hardware. The phone is getting Live HDR+, as well as dual exposure which separates sliders for brightness and shadows. And yes, Night sight is getting even longer exposure, thanks to Astro Photography. Simply put, the new Astro Photography mode allows you to take four-minute-long exposures of the stars.

*Both phones have OLED displays, 5.7-inch and 6.3-inch, respectively.

* Pixel 4 has a 2,800 mAh battery, while the larger one has a 3,700 mAh cell.

*The devices are powered by a  Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB/128GB storage.

*Pixel 4 will start at $799  in the US.

*3 color options: Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh So Orange.

*12MP primary camera and 16MP telephoto camera on the back, 8MP front-facing camera. 

*Other features: Android 10, Titan M security chip and Pixel Neural Core chip

Google has announced the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, the company's latest flagship smartphones.  These are the first phones from Google to have a Soli chip, 90Hz displays, and Face Unlock. Google also debuts the next-generation Assistant on Pixel 4, which includes a number of new features. 

Google has launched the next-generation Nest Mini, which succeeds the original Home Mini. The newest Nest Mini costs $49 and is up for pre-orders in the US.  There's a new color option called Sky, and the fabric is made of 100 per cent recycled bottles.  Meanwhile, Nest Wifi has a Hub built-in, which plugs into your modem, and offers 25 per cent better coverage than the previous generation. 

The Pixelbook Go is the newest Chromebook. Google claims 12 hours of battery life. It comes in three configurations: Intel Core i3, i5 and i7. Users can choose the Pixelbook Go in either 8GB or 16GB RAM.  The Pixelbook Go will start at $649, with pre-orders set to begin today in the US. 

Ivy Ross, Google's head of design onstage now. She's talking about how design can solve problems for people.

"We've been able to include recycled plastics in Chromecast and the Stadia controllers." All Nest 2019 products will include recycled plastics. The fabric on Nest speakers is 100 per cent recycled plastics."

The first product of the day is a pair of truly wireless earbuds -- Pixel Buds. With five hours of continues charge and 24 hours when used with the case, Pixel Buds will compete Apple's AirPods and Samsung's Galaxy Buds. Pixel Buds feature noise cancellation ability, and yes, they will be available next spring. Pixel Buds are priced at $179. 

Rick Osterloh, who currently leads Google's hardware division, takes the stage. Rick is giving an introduction video about how Google's products are meant to make people's lives better.

In a few moments from now, Google will launch the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones at an event in New York. Just like last year, the focus will be on two new flagship smartphones, as well as on other gadgets, including smart speakers. We're also expecting the tech giant to show off the all-new Google Assistant and we should also hear launch details around the Pixelbook Go. 

In terms of specifications, this is what we expect from the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL

5.7-inch/6.3-inch displays
90Hz refresh rate
FaceID-like facial unlocking
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor
2800mAh/3700mAh batteries
No microSD
No 3.5mm headphone jack
Android 10
64GB and 128GB storage, 6GB RAM

9to5Google has spotted a listing of Pixel 4 device on the B&HPhoto website where the device is available for pre-order at $799 (around Rs 57,000). The Pixel 4 XL is listed at $899 (around Rs 64,000).

A leak indicates that Google's Motion Sense feature might not work in India, at least when the phones are released. XDA-Developers found that the Motion Sense app carries a list of 53 countries where Google Pixel 4’s Motion Sense can be used as the app’s APK or software file has been leaked online. The list carries 53 countries, but India is not one of these.

Both Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will have a camera system in a square housing positioned in the top left of the device. It is said that there will be a dual-camera setup comprised of a 12MP sensor and a 16MP telephoto sensor. Previous generation Pixel smartphones had only one camera sensor.  This time around, there will be a Motion Mode for action shots, as well as improved night time shooting.

Google had released a teaser video for the Pixel 4 confirming air gestures. The motion sense showcased in the teaser video works through the Soli motion-sensing radar, which the Google says is a miniature version of an actual radar that is used to detect planes and other large objects. Pixel 4 uses hardware sensor and “software algorithm” to sense small motions around the phone, recognise gestures, and detect when the user is nearby.

The Motion Sense feature on Google Pixel 4 phones will use Soli’s radar technology to allow users to control the phone by simply waving their hands to carry out actions like silencing phone calls, alarms, control music, etc.

Reports suggest the Pixel 4 will have a 5.7-inch screen and the Pixel 4 XL will have a 6.3-inch display. Both panels will be of an OLED variety. It's claimed both displays will offer 90Hz refresh rates, like the OnePlus 7T, offering a buttery smooth experience. 

Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon accidentally confirmed that the Google Pixel 4’s chipset will be Snapdragon 855.

Amon took to twitter to congratulate Google, by writing "Congrats to my friends @Google on the announcement of their beautiful, new #Pixel4 phones powered by #Snapdragon 855. Thank you for a great partnership. #madebygoogle”

The tweet was, however, later deleted by Amon but internet users seem to have already taken a screenshot of the tweet. A twitter user named Antonio Sabán shared the image of the tweet on the social media platform