Looks like Google plans to get in on hardware launch season.
The tech giant on Monday announced it will hold a device launch event on October 4. The company, however, provided scant detail on exactly what device will be unveiled at the event.
The announcement came in the form of a simplistic YouTube video that featured only the date, Google’s “G” logo and a hollow rectangle in the shape of a smartphone.
However, a supplemental website said in its URL the device will be “made by” Google, and includes a smartphone-shaped picture slideshow that hints rumors about a new “Pixel” device might be true.
Several reports over the past few months have speculated Google will nix its Nexus smartphone brand name this year in favor of a new lineup of Pixel handsets. Google currently offers a Pixel tablet, so it’s not so far-fetched to think it might expand the device lineup with the same moniker.
The forthcoming handset has reportedly been spotted in a Nest commercial released in the Netherlands (around the 10 second mark), and Android Police posted images on Monday that are reportedly leaked photos of the device.
According to two separate Android Police reports, Google is planning to launch a 5-inch Pixel handset and a larger 5.5-inch Pixel XL sibling, a la Apple’s iPhone and iPhone Plus scheme. An Android Police source said pricing will start start at $649 for the smaller Pixel device, but the publication noted that figure is subject to change prior to launch.