New Products To Get Excited About At Mobile World Congress 2019

Once again it’s time for the developers of mobile devices to really show us what they’ve got with new and improved products at Mobile World Congress. This year’s event in Barcelona is already confirmed to be the showcase for the new Microsoft HoloLens 2, the LG L8, OnePlus’ 5G prototype, and the Huawei Mate X, notable for its foldability.

Huawei, despite its place in the news for more political/economic reasons, is really coming out as a top dog at this year’s MWC due to the foldable, 5G connectivity included, Mate X. But foldable phones and 5G aren’t the only notable announcements. These are some of the top product spotlights and announcements from MWC.

LG DualScreen

LG’s reply to the mad dash towards foldable phones is a second screen that can attach, essentially via a folio case, to the new LG V50, which is LG’s first 5G phone. Verge writer Vlad Savov got to go hand on with the new system. Read his experiences here.

Sony Xperia 1

The Xperia 1 is said to be the top phone for film and is one of Sony’s best phones, but that’s because it looks totally different than every other phone. No notch, no 5G, and no foldable design, but it does boast an extra tall screen, three cameras, and a 4K HDR OLED ultra-wide 21:9 display.

Microsoft HoloLens 2

Even though MWC is a very phone heavy event, Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 is a big point of conversation. The upgraded HoloLens 2 is a lighter, more sleek and comfortable mixed reality headset that has a larger field of view, and is much more powerful. The designed for business headset clocks in at $3,500, versus the $5,000 price tag of its original counterpart.

Nokia 9 PureView

Nokia is also making waves this year, with more than one new phone changing the game. Their most exciting phone is the Nokia 9 PureView, which is leapfrogging the MWC trend of having three rear cameras and is outfitted with five rear cameras. This ultra-powerful phone camera system could even replace some real cameras.

Samsung Galaxy S10

The Samsung family is really a huge presence at MWC, as the S10e, the S10 and the S10+ are all surpassing what has come before, with faster performance, larger and sharper screens, bigger, more powerful batteries, and more camera power. See a hands-on look that Mashable did with the three S10 phones here.

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CES 2019: Setting the Stage For This Year’s Trends in Tech

The tech world is kicking the new year off right with the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Here, the curtain was pulled back on some of the major trends that are expected to emerge this year, including AI, improved self-driving cars, gaming, 5G technology and more. The four-day event also hosted many keynotes from speakers from Verizon, IBM, AT&T among others.

These were some of the top picks for new tech at CES this year

Sphero Specdrums

Apps and toys to teach children, or even adults to code, are not new, but Sphero has developed a way that may be irresistible for anyone. The Sphero Specdrums work like this: use the app to assign sounds to each color. These sounds can be beats, loops, musical notes, or even just a sound. Then with the silicone ring tap on the colored playpad or record your own sounds and capture your own colors to play on the world around you.  

FenSens

Make your car an intelligent, autonomous car with the FenSens rear-mounted easy to install sensor and app that can warn you if there’s something too close to your vehicle.

KitchenAid Smart Display

This isn’t the first Google Assistant enabled display, but this might be the first one you aren’t worried about having in your kitchen. The KitchenAid Smart Display has a 10–inch screen and the specs you’d expect to find in a smart speaker, but also is IPX5 water and dust resistant, so you can spill near in, drop food on it, anything you’d expect to happen while cooking. The company even suggests that you can wash it in your sink if the need arises.

Samsung GEMS-H

The Gait Enhancing Motivational System (or GEMS) is Samsung’s line of assistive wearable concepts. The GEMS-H is a lightweight lower-body exoskeleton that helps aid in mobility and can even add resistance for injury rehabilitation

FenSens

Make your car an intelligent, autonomous car with the FenSens rear-mounted easy to install sensor and app that can warn you if there’s something too close to your vehicle.

Bell Nexus

Uber and Bell Helicopter partnered with other parties to develop the Bell Nexus, which is essentially an air taxi. The concept goes along with Uber’s goal of launching and on-demand air service by 2023.

BotBoxer

For the techie that is also into fitness, BotBoxer is the answer to the Peloton trend of smart exercise. A punching bag on a stick that is loaded with motion and pressure sensors as well as analytics that can determine your body position and predict where your hits will be so it can react to your movements.

Otter+ Pop Symmetry Series

The convenience of a Popsocket with the safety of an Otterbox case. The Otter + Pop symmetry series lets you maximize your phone with easy swapping of Pop Sockets for personalization.

Royale FlexPai

The first genuine foldable smartphone isn’t really a smartphone at all, it’s a compact tablet with a 7.8 inch display that when doubled over and folded is a fully functional smartphone. It’s not perfected yet, but it is a glance at things to come on the innovation front.

Samsung 75-inch MicroLED TV “The Wall”

Samsung’s first MicroLED TV was introduced last year at CES, but that was mostly to show what was coming. Now, the technology is something that you can have in your own home. The 75 inch TV is going to be massively expensive but will have all the near-perfect picture quality as OLED without the feared durability issues.

BreadBot

While kitchen devices are nothing new to CES, but the enormous BreadBot may be more for bakery usage. The huge appliance says it can make 10 loaves of bread every hour.

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IOT Products To Feel Like You’re Living in 3017

The Internet of Things is a fast-growing market that is creating high powered products that can do everything from managing household tasks to enhancing your marketing strategy.

It is predicted that the IoT market will grow from 15.4 billion devices in 2015 to 30.7 billion devices in 2020 and 75.4 billion in 2025, according to IHS Technology’s report “IoT platforms: enabling the Internet of Things”. These are some of the most futuristic IoT products for a life that Marty McFly would be in awe of.

June Oven

The June Oven calls itself seven appliances in one. The June Oven functions as a convection oven, slow cooker, dehydrator, air fryer, broiler, warming drawer and toaster oven. It comes with a list of over 100 one tap cooking programs for quick and easy cooking. With a mobile app that you can use to turn on the oven, watch live video of your food cooking, and check food temperature, the June Oven is a one-stop shop for futuristic cooking.

CUJO AI

Cujo is an IoT company that gives you a smart firewall to protect your home or business to secure all smart devices and protect them from outside threats, including hackers. Using AI, Cujo is able to personalize the security for each connected device in your network. View your personal analytics, set filters, limits, and alerts so you can stay on top of how your networks functions.

Eight

Eight specializes in smart sleep. Eight’s smart mattresses offer a personalized option to build your most comfortable bed and all are built with technology that can track your sleep patterns, set alarms, and have smart temperature controls to keep you cool or warm. If you already own a mattress you love, Eight also sells a sensor layer that can fit over any mattress that boasts those same features.

Click and Grow

If you’re trying to grow an indoor garden to start growing your own fresh herbs and produce, or if you’re simply trying to combat a lack of a green thumb, the Click and Grow Smart Gardens are a great way to move towards a fresh, sustainable and easy way to garden. Built with NASA developed Smart Soil to ensure the ideal oxygen, nutrient and water configurations and a modular LED lamp arm for a perfectly controlled environment, the perfect garden is only a click away.

Coros Omni Bike Helmet

Enhance your bike ride with a smart helmet that allows you to listen to music, make phone calls, and access audio navigation without blocking out the noise of the outside world that is imperative to your safety. With automatic  LED safety lights and an emergency sensor that alerts your emergency contacts in the case of a collision, your rides have never been safer or more high tech.

ProGlove’s Smart Glove

This glove designed for industrial workers allows for real-time haptic and visual feedback, gesture sensing, and wireless connectivity. Designed to withstand the requirements for safety in industrial conditions, the gloves are also equipped with a barcode scanner for quality control on the floor and assembly line tracking.

Kohler Verdera Smart Mirror

The Verdera Smart Mirror is the first lighted mirror available to consumers with Amazon Alexa embedded. Control other smart Kohler products by voice or with the Kohler Konnect app, as well as access the full functionality of the Amazon Echo; from traffic reports to weather updates, shopping and playing music. With an adjustable voice controlled LED lighting, you’ll ensure that you always look your best. This smart mirror also has built-in motion-activated night lights for easy navigation in the dark.  

Amazon Dash Buttons

Amazon has been pushing their Dash Buttons for a couple years now, but the technology doesn’t get any less enticing. With buttons that connect to your wifi network and link to Amazon’s app, you can simply push the button to order more of the things you need, with a dash button for almost everything, including laundry detergent, paper products, dish soap, batteries, and groceries.

GM’s Marketplace

This in-vehicle commerce platform is the first of its kind. With Marketplace, drivers of GM vehicles can complete errands in a truly efficient manner. Make dinner reservations, find the nearest gas station, order and pay for a coffee and more, without hassle, right from the car’s touchscreen.

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Need to Know: eSports is Poised to be a Billion Dollar Industry

The eSports market is growing at an unsubstantiated rate, set to be an industry valued at more than a billion dollars in the next three years (in 2016, eSports was valued by Goldman Sachs at $500 million, and the market is expected to grow by 22% annually).

There has been a recent boom in commercial opportunities in the eSports industry, from merchandise to sponsorships to acquisitions of teams and leagues by networks, other gaming leagues, and team owners. This includes the new phenomena of having eSports matches being broadcast to sports networks, namely ESPN. The first night of the Overwatch grand finals was the first esports competition to be broadcast live on primetime television on July 27.

This is not the first eSports tournament to ever be played on an ESPN network, but this new broadcasting agreement does show a turn in the eSports world to a commitment for regular broadcasting eSPorts coverage on TV and digital platforms.

With the growth of streaming services like Twitch and the lucrative careers it has offered some of it’s more well-known streamers, like Ninja, Dr. DisRespect, Shroud, and others, eSports and video game viewership have been hotly discussed topics in the sports and entertainment world.

There is certainly a market for these streaming services, and if the primetime pickup of esports tournaments continues to grow, there may just be a space for those streamers that are not necessarily playing in tournaments.

The advertising and sponsorship community should be prepared for this, as the chances for these events to become as big as the Super Bowl may be just around the corner. Only time will tell if this will stay a consistent market, but we should all be ready to see a huge mainstream boom in the understanding of the potential that eSports have as a cultural staple and an economic opportunity.  

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Event Profile: SXSW 2018

South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas has become a cultural mecca for music and film buffs, as well as a place for hosting interactive events that cover a range of topics from everything new in technology, to entertainment and advertising. There is always a huge amount of news coming from this week-long event, so here is a breakdown of what we’ve seen so far.

SXSW Trust Barometer

Every year, festival attendees are polled for the Trust Barometer, which measures the general feelings those attending have towards technology, business, and media. The results of this year’s poll brought up interesting discussions, as there is a very low amount of trust in emerging technology, one of SXSW’s biggest draws.

Most of the distrust comes from a shift towards a need for more human elements in technological interactions, and a distrust in blockchain technology, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles. Discussions about smaller, more personal social media platforms were held, as well as conversations about the widespread use of bots and voice assistants and how the reactions to these technologies have become more and more personal, with users sometimes treating bots as though they were chatting with another human being. There is without a doubt a need to shift to more personal communication methods and develop an understanding of how emotional attachments can tie into interacting with these responsive communication technologies.

Experiential Exhibitions: ‘Westworld’ and ‘Ready Player One’

HBO hit-show Westworld and Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ both partnered with creative agency Giant Spoon to bring the worlds of the screen to life for festival attendees. These immersive exhibits allow you to step into the ‘Westworld’ town of Sweetwater and the Oasis of  ‘Ready Player One’ interacting with environments, actors in character, and becoming a character yourself. Read a review of the ‘Westworld’ exhibit on Forbes and Business Insider and see a walkthrough of Sweetwater here and the ‘Ready Player One’ exhibit here.

Speeches

SXSW is focused on cultivating the creative and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world, and each day speakers from convergence, music, technology, and film focused paths present their take on various topics. The hope is to generate meaningful conversations about the state of the world in each of SXSW’s featured verticals. Notable speakers this year include Elon Musk, Melinda Gates, Darren Aronofsky, Sadiq Khan, and Esther Perel.

SXSW ends this Saturday, so there is bound to be more excitement in the last few days of the festival. For more SXSW news and live streams of keynotes and other events, visit sxsw.com.

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Turn Your Home Into a SmartHome. Without Breaking the Bank

Turning your home into a smart home is a fun but daunting task. Many of the concerns people have when starting their smart home journey stem from how expensive it is to outfit or retrofit your home for everything from automation to voice control. But starting to venture into the land of Alexa and scheduled lighting doesn’t have to break the bank. Get started building your smart home ecosystem with these ideas for a low-budget, high-tech home.

Smart-Home Hub

The key to getting all of your smart devices to communicate is a smart-home hub. The Amazon Echo Dot ($49.99) and the Wink Connected Home Hub ($69) are great lower budget options.

Smart Plugs

Give the appliances you already own and intelligence boost with smart plugs like these from TP-Link ($29.99). These smart plugs make anything a smart device when connected to the TP-Link app, Google Home, Amazon Echo, or Echo Dot.

Smart Bulbs

Smart Bulbs can be expensive and some, like the Phillips Hue, require a hub separate from the voice control system. However, you can purchase less expensive options that also have great feature sets. GE’s C-Life Smart LED bulbs ($13 each) are controlled via Bluetooth and when paired with the C-Reach bridge ($49.99) can be controlled with WiFi and pair with Amazon Echo or Google Home, and TP-Link’s Smart LED bulbs ($19.99) are controlled via WiFi and can connect to your voice assistant without a bridge.

Smart Thermostat

At just under $250, a Nest thermostat isn’t exactly budget friendly, but if you are looking to really control every aspect of your home, there are other budget-conscious smart thermostats out there. Take for example the Ecobee 3 Lite ($169), which can pair with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Echo, and other smart services.

Smart Light Switch

For hands-free or app-controlled lighting beyond the bulbs, the Belkin WeMo light switch ($50) can respond to voice commands and schedule your lighting.

Smart Garage Door

Don’t panic about whether you left the garage door open ever again when you upgrade your garage door controller. The Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub ($99) works with many garage door opener brands, and the MyQ app allows you to control your garage door from anywhere.

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Tech Radar: The 2018 Winter Olympics

For many years, the Olympics have a venue to showcase brand new and exciting technology and the 2018 WInter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea are no different. From robotics to virtual reality, there has been a multitude of tech-based headlines coming from the games which started on February 9.

Virtual Reality

Intel has pledged more than 50 hours of live VR programming making these winter games the largest-scale virtual reality event to date. 30 total events will be shot on multiple 180-degree cameras. This, combined with  Intel’s  broadcast partnership with NBC ensures a totally new Olympic experience. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said at CES 2018, “Intel is integrating innovative technology to ensure fans don’t just witness the moment, they experience it.”  A mix of live stream and on-demand content is available in the U.S. through the NBC Sports VR app.

Drones

Perhaps one of the most reported technology headlines in PyeongChang is the use of drones. The opening ceremonies featured a record-breaking amount of drones flying together; a whopping fleet of 1,218 lightweight, LED fitted drones created by Intel that produce a light show that can only be described as a performance. Watch the drones in action: 

There are also security drones that will inspect ground and air activity in the area, monitoring with HD and thermal imaging cameras, as well as some with radar technology to watch for unidentified aerial vehicles.

Streaming/Broadcast

Coverage of Olympic events will be provided to the U.S. by NBC in 4K HDR quality, allowing for a significantly expanded range of colors and contrast seen by viewers. Viewers can also access Olympic events by watching on the NBC Sports app, or by streaming them on platforms that include NBC in their subscriptions.

Uniforms

Team USA’s uniforms feature a heating component that will help to keep athletes warm in the cold climate of PyeongChang. You can read about how the heated uniform works here.  There are also two Dutch speed skaters that are going to be donning the Samsung SmartSuit which calculates different factors that can help increase speeds to win gold. Watch this video to see the SmartSuit in use:

Robots

Robots can be seen around the Olympics providing a wide range of services from cleaning to translating. In fact, we’ve seen robots skiing, passing the Olympic torch and serving drinks. See how innovations in robotics are moving forward at the games here.

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Recap: CES 2018

LG’s Display at CES 2018

Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

We are in the midst of one of the biggest tech events of the year, the Consumer Electronics Show or CES. Held this year from January 9-12 in Las Vegas, CES is a stage where those in the business of consumer technologies come to showcase and explore emerging technologies and innovators. Past years have brought us the reveal of self-driving cars, VR headsets, and smart thermostats, and this year’s presentations have continued to shake up the tech industry. These are some of the standout products this year.

Sony Aibo

Nearly a decade after the release of its first robotic pet, Sony warmed the hearts of the tech world with its newest iteration, the Sony Aibo. This adorable robotic puppy “grows” it’s personality from a puppy to an adult dog and it can learn new commands and tricks when paired with the Aibo app. See how it works here.

LG Rollable OLED TV

LG’s follow-up to its 2016 rollable 18-inch display panel certainly lines up with the futuristic innovations you expect to see at CES. The all-new LG product is a much larger one, at 65 inches, with a 4K resolution and a crisp OLED screen. Read The Verge’s take for more information.

Samsung “The Wall” TV

The Wall is Samsung’s newest MicroLED based on their Cinema Screen technology (used in movie theaters) The Wall is scaled down for home use, but is still a whopping 146 inches (more than 10 feet wide and nearly 6 feet tall) and could continue to grow in size because of its modular nature. Read more about The Wall here.

Peloton Tread

Fitness company Peloton is known for their indoor cycling training, with instructors hosting videos that can be live streamed or viewed on demand. But the boutique fitness class disruptor is branching out and announced its newest product, the Peloton Tread. The Tread is an all-new high-end treadmill (which will retail for $3,995) that is designed to include more than just running. Peloton Tread classes also include circuit and weight training, hiking, walking and mat exercises. See how it works here.

Razer Mamba HyperFlux

Wireless charging mouse pads are one of the top accessories in the gaming world, and Razer’s new Mamba HyperFlux Mouse and Firefly HyperFlux mouse pad are just one of a few different versions of this concept showcased at CES. This updates two existing Razer products to be lighter, more streamlined and more competitive than before. Read why in this feature from The Verge.

L’Oreal UV Sense

Wearable technology is constantly evolving, and now, beauty brand L’Oreal is shaking things up at CES. The UV Sense sensor is a 2mm thick, 9mm diameter, battery-free button that can fit on a fingernail and monitors how much sun exposure you are getting. The device has an adhesive that can be reused. UV Sense works alongside a mobile app and compiles data for users using NFC technology. Read more about this tiny sensor here.

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Tech Gifts for Holidays 2017

The holidays are fast approaching, and with Black Friday less than two weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about the gifts you may need for your family and friends. If someone you know is into all of the newest technology, these gifts might be just what they’re hoping for!

Garmin Speak

If you drive a car without an infotainment center, the Garmin Speak is one way to upgrade your vehicle without having to buy a new car. This mountable device with Amazon Alexa voice assistant allows you to control smart devices in your home, ask for directions, and stream music all hands-free. The only thing to consider is that the device runs off of a data connection from a smartphone, so strong network coverage is key to using it to its full potential.

Amazon Kindle Oasis

Water-resistant, super light and thin, Amazon’s new Oasis eReader is a giant step up from previous models the company has released. The Kindle Oasis is available in 8GB and 32GB builds.

GoPro Hero6 Black

This new iteration of the GoPro Hero series comes on the heels of a rather rough year for the action camera company, but this camera is nothing short of exciting, especially for those looking to capture super high quality and high-resolution video. The hero 6 Black can shoot in 4K, has digital motion stability and is just as tough as it’s predecessors. Just make sure your recipient has the proper capabilities for 4K playback.

DJI Spark

The selfie lover will take their pictures to a new level with this tiny camera drone. DJI’s drones are known for their quality, and the Spark is no different. With all the features a novice drone user could want in a small and easily portable design. Perhaps the most exciting feature for selfie queens (and kings) is the gesture control option.

Amazon Echo Spot

For those who haven’t gotten into the hype of the Amazon Echo and Google Home movement, the Echo Spot operates as a high tech alarm clock that does more than just wake you up. Plan the entire day with an alarm clock that can also tell and show you the weather, read the news, set timers and more.

Xbox One X

Though the reviews are mixed about the newest Xbox game console, there is no denying that the powerful console is impressive, especially for those looking to show off 4K picture quality and high-definition visuals.  

iPhone X

The hefty price tag on the new iPhone makes it a controversial choice, but with the reviews that are starting come out, with some calling the iPhone X the best smartphone on the market.  The highly upgraded phone is just the beginning of Apple making high powered and exciting changes to their product lineup making the iPhone X one of the most sought-after tech gifts of the year.

Smartphone Camera Lens Kit

If the iPhone X isn’t in the budget but taking high-quality smartphone photos is a priority for someone on your gift list, a smartphone camera lens kit can upgrade their photos in a flash. From fisheye to macro and wide angle, you can use interchangeable lenses to go beyond the normal smartphone photos. There are many options for these kits available online, so you can look and find the one that will suit your needs.

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Black Friday 2017 Predictions

With only a few weeks until Thanksgiving on November 23rd, savvy shoppers are ramping up to this year’s Black Friday deals and sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become some of the biggest shopping days of the year, and sales keep getting bigger and bigger. In the past, sales have started on Thanksgiving and gone into Black Friday proper and the weekend and Monday following the holiday (Cyber Monday), but in recent years, retailers have begun their sales earlier and earlier, sometimes having promotions all month long. Look for these trends this November!

Spending

According to predictions by the National Retail Federation, Holiday sales (retail sales between November and December) will grow by up to 4% from last year, up to a $682 billion dollar amount. PwC’s holiday outlook data suggests that the average holiday spend for 83% of US consumers is expected to be $1,189.

Top Stores

DealNews.com suggests keeping an eye on sales at Kohl’s (where your savings will largely be in Kohl’s Cash), Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and Amazon this year, however, the best places to make your purchases will depend on what your items of interest are and will also be largely based upon price point. Forbes has a list of where to look for tablets and laptops this year, which can be found here.  If you are interested in Apple Products, online retailers will likely have better discounts on Apple products than the Apple Store itself.  Last year, Apple’s Black Friday deal included a gift card with the purchase of older product models at an undiscounted rate, and that is expected to continue this year, hinging on whether Apple even decides to participate in Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Top Deals

Video game bundles for the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X are rumored to be heavily discounted this year, as well as many smartphones including the newest iPhones (8, 8 Plus and X), the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8 and the Google Pixel 2. Discounted prices for 4K TVs and 4K media players are also expected.

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Tech Radar: Google Pixel 2

Photo by Maurizio Pesce via Flickr

On October 4th, Google’s tech event revealed a number of changes and product releases, including announcing the newest iteration of the highly rated Google Pixel cell phone: the Google Pixel 2. This is what you need to know before you buy!

Features:

The original Pixel heralded an extremely high-quality camera and the Pixel 2 is no different. The photo quality is outstanding, even in low light. As an added bonus, you are able to store the photos and videos you take for free with unlimited online storage. The water-resistant phone is equipped with fast charging technology, similar to its predecessor and comes with an improved version of Google Assistant. In a drastic departure from the original Pixel, the 3.5 mm headphone jack has been removed, an interesting change after the introduction of the original Pixel that shaded Apple for their headphone jack removal on the iPhone 7.

The Pixel 2 is available in four colorways and in two sizes.

Specs:

The Pixel 2 is loaded with high tech updates, including the 835 Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a dual focus camera, pOLED screen, updated security functions, and high-quality stereo speakers. There is a 5-inch screen on the Pixel 2 and a 6-inch screen on the Pixel 2 XL. Both sizes come with 64 GB and 128 GB storage options.

Pricing:

The Pixel 2 starts at $649, and the Pixel 2 XL starts at $849. Both models went on sale October 4th.

Read more about the Pixel 2 and the other products announced at Google’s October 4th event here.

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