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Google Unveils the Pixel 2 and It Doesn’t Have a Headphone Jack

Google Unveils the Pixel 2 and It Doesn’t Have a Headphone Jack

By Simon Hung

One year after unveiling the first Pixel and facetiously lauding its inclusion of a headphone jack, Google has unveiled their new Pixel 2 smartphones and they do not include a headphone jack.

Google held their Pixel Event this week and in addition to the Pixel 2, they also announced a number of neat accessories including a pair of wireless earbuds capable of real-time translation. We’ve listed the most notable announcements along with links to order them from the Google Store.

Pixel 2

The new Pixel 2 is available in two sizes -- the smaller Pixel 2 sports a 5” AMOLED screen with a 1920x1080 resolution while the larger Pixel 2 XL has a 6” pOLED screen with a resolution of 2880x1440. Aside from screen size, both phones feature identical hardware including a water resistant aluminum and glass design, 12.2MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, front-facing stereo speakers and a pressure-sensitive frame that lets you launch Google Assistant by squeezing the phone.

Google's new Pixel 2 is available in three colours and starts at $899.00.

The phones follow the unpopular industry trend of omitting the headphone jack and curiously, no USB-C headphones are included in the box, but a USB-C to headphone jack dongle is included to help you quickly adapt to the dongle life.

Both models are loaded with Android 8.0 Oreo and are available in three colours with 64GB or 128GB of storage, with the Pixel 2 starting at $899.00 and Pixel 2 XL starting at $1159.00.

Google Home Mini

The Google Home Mini is a miniaturized version of the Google Home smart speaker. Like its bigger brother, Google Home Mini has Google Assistant built-in and can perform tasks like control smart home products, play music or get answers to questions by speaking to it.

The Google Home Mini is the first Google Home product priced at under $100.00.

Google Home Mini is available in three colours for $79.00. Those who purchase a Pixel 2 will also get a promo code for a free Google Home Mini.

Google will also be opening a Google Home Mini Donut Shop pop-up in Toronto on October 26 and 27, where you’ll be able to see the Google Home Mini first-hand and enjoy some free donuts.

Pixel Buds

Pixel Buds are Google’s first foray into the wireless headphone category and they aren’t just ordinary Bluetooth headphones. They’re designed to work seamlessly the Pixel 2 (but also work with other Bluetooth devices) and the most interesting thing about them is their ability to translate 40 different languages in real-time.

Pixel Buds can translate 40 different languages in real-time using Google Translate.

The feature uses Google Translate and works by listening to your speech in one language, then dictating the speech in another language through your phone, allowing you to “talk” to someone in a foreign language with the Pixel Buds acting as an interpreter.

Battery life is rated at approximately five hours, with the included case providing an additional 24 hours of charge. Pixel Buds are available in three colours for $219.00.

Pixelbook

Perhaps the oddest product announcement was the Pixelbook, a new 12.3” convertible laptop from Google that runs Chrome OS. It’s a tweener device that has the power and performance of a premium laptop, but is limited to running Chrome OS and Android apps only.

The Pixelbook is configurable with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and up to 512GB of flash storage.

It’s very pretty and portable, but the lack of fully-featured apps available for Chrome OS will limit its practicality for power-users, since you can’t (officially) install another operating system on it.

The Pixelbook is available in three configurations and starts at $1299.00. A companion product, the Pixelbook Pen, was also announced and is priced at $129.00.

Google Clips, a small camera that uses AI to learn its surroundings and automatically take pictures at opportune times, was also introduced along with Google Home Max, a supersized Google Home smart speaker with improved speakers for better music playback. Both products are currently unavailable in Canada and release dates are unknown.

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  • DJ Trance AZ
    • I accidentally figured out my issue, and I think it's a glitch to the lock screen.

      At the lock screen after booting up it normally shows the clock and the PIN pad. So yesterday the lock screen was blank after booting. For some reason I accidentally swiped from top of the screen and it then brought out the clock, and the PIN pad! This has worked after each rebooting!

      So problem solved!
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • lol that's so weird. I've been doing OTA updates for every update without issue. rebooting my phone no problems. maybe rogue app? what apps did you install.

      Possible...My apps are fairly standard - WhatsApp, FB, Snapseed, Uniqlo, TinyScanner Pro...I don't load a lot of apps as I only use a few...
    • Report Post
  • dnyc
    • Got my replacement Pixel 2 XL today; the phone does look brand-new and they must have replaced the phone casing. The device came loaded with Android 8.0 with Sept.2017 update; flashed the factory image for Sept.2018; loaded all the apps and restarted the phone few times without issue...So happy to have it back and so I can return my Note 9 back to Costco...

      Edit: I spoke too soon and the SAME issue returns...so this is a software issue then?
      lol that's so weird. I've been doing OTA updates for every update without issue. rebooting my phone no problems. maybe rogue app? what apps did you install.
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • Got my replacement Pixel 2 XL today; the phone does look brand-new and they must have replaced the phone casing. The device came loaded with Android 8.0 with Sept.2017 update; flashed the factory image for Sept.2018; loaded all the apps and restarted the phone few times without issue...So happy to have it back and so I can return my Note 9 back to Costco...





      Edit: I spoke too soon and the SAME issue returns...so this is a software issue then?
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • Are you sure you flashed it correctly? Another possibility is a bad file, redownload the factory image if you feel it wasn't a good one. Sometimes it happens due to slow or poor connection. One time i was downloading a custom ROM and the server was in the states, took a while (approx 15-20 minutes) to download and the file turned out to be a bad download as it was stuck in a bootloop. I changed servers to a Canadian one, downloaded it again in a few minutes and it was fine. I didn't pay attention at the time as I usually just download the first server on the list. But hey, the thing is under two year warranty so I guess you made use of it. I would've personally tackled the issue myself.

      I mean worst case scenario, unlock the bootloader using the AIO tool you downloaded and flash the July factory image (last image before transition to Android P). You may or may not, have to critically unlock it. "fastboot unlock_critical". I've read that if you do this, you will be able to flash older bootloaders or roll back to older images. Google implemented an anti rollback feature where you can't flash older vendor/factory images so critical unlock allows you this option.

      Thank you again for your pointers!! I had the phone for about three months and it was running flawlessly even with the Android P betas...I should receive my replacement phone this wk and see how it goes...I did an advance RMA with Google and they even included return UPS waybill label as well.
    • Report Post
  • EnyCe


    • It was very kind for your offering :) My phone still had the unresponsive lock screen after flashing the Sept.2018 factory image. It's just very strange...The phone worked very well after the flashing BUT the same issue occurred right after a reboot! Just sent off the phone today...I will just flash the Sept.2018 image once I get my replacement phone.
      Are you sure you flashed it correctly? Another possibility is a bad file, redownload the factory image if you feel it wasn't a good one. Sometimes it happens due to slow or poor connection. One time i was downloading a custom ROM and the server was in the states, took a while (approx 15-20 minutes) to download and the file turned out to be a bad download as it was stuck in a bootloop. I changed servers to a Canadian one, downloaded it again in a few minutes and it was fine. I didn't pay attention at the time as I usually just download the first server on the list. But hey, the thing is under two year warranty so I guess you made use of it. I would've personally tackled the issue myself.

      I mean worst case scenario, unlock the bootloader using the AIO tool you downloaded and flash the July factory image (last image before transition to Android P). You may or may not, have to critically unlock it. "fastboot unlock_critical". I've read that if you do this, you will be able to flash older bootloaders or roll back to older images. Google implemented an anti rollback feature where you can't flash older vendor/factory images so critical unlock allows you this option.
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • Huh...? So you paid for an AIO tool and you ended up requesting a replacement? I've no idea why you even paid for one, there are plenty of free ones and what you paid for is for a Donation package (aka Pro version), what you pay for is that the app provides the most up to date updates (factory images), but you can easily load and download the latest one off the Google Factory image site yourself. You don't get any more features than the free public one, just minor convenience and a way to say thanks to the developer. So you're not getting magical powers for it to work. Dude, I even offered for you to come to my house and I'd do it for free, it's such a simple fix that can be done in 5 minutes...

      Like others have suggested before, I don't know why you didn't perform a clean install from the beginning. I am very confident that it is just a software issue, not hardware. I flash my phone every few months and I encounter a bad custom ROM every now and then. Flashing an OTA over a ROM that has a bug is not the proper way to address it...the fact that you kept flashing the OTA repeatedly is mind boggling.


      It was very kind for your offering :) My phone still had the unresponsive lock screen after flashing the Sept.2018 factory image. It's just very strange...The phone worked very well after the flashing BUT the same issue occurred right after a reboot! Just sent off the phone today...I will just flash the Sept.2018 image once I get my replacement phone.
    • Report Post
  • EnyCe
    • Thank you for your advise guys and I should make my future posting in the P2XL thread...I just paid for the SkipSoft Tool and did a stock image flashing...it was a nerve wrecking procedure and hope it will resolve the lock screen unresponsiveness issue...will report back in the other thread; thanks again!
      I must say I absolutely LOVE my P2XL for its camera quality and its software updates...I bought a Note 9 as I think my P2XL is malfunctioning (unresponsiveness in the lock screen post updating Sept.2018 Android Pie via side loading OTA method); fingers crossed for my phone!


      EDIT: My phone worked well after I flashed the Sept.2018 Factory Image; phone booted up and loaded all the apps; turned off the phone to insert my SIM and booted; then the lock screen appears and it's blanked, unresponsive; only the power, and volume button works...Everything worked well until the rebooting (which was the same as before prior to flashing the factory image).



      Hardware issue then?


      I have requested for a replacement... hopefully the refurbished phone is of good quality...
      Huh...? So you paid for an AIO tool and you ended up requesting a replacement? I've no idea why you even paid for one, there are plenty of free ones and what you paid for is for a Donation package (aka Pro version), what you pay for is that the app provides the most up to date updates (factory images), but you can easily load and download the latest one off the Google Factory image site yourself. You don't get any more features than the free public one, just minor convenience and a way to say thanks to the developer. So you're not getting magical powers for it to work. Dude, I even offered for you to come to my house and I'd do it for free, it's such a simple fix that can be done in 5 minutes...

      Like others have suggested before, I don't know why you didn't perform a clean install from the beginning. I am very confident that it is just a software issue, not hardware. I flash my phone every few months and I encounter a bad custom ROM every now and then. Flashing an OTA over a ROM that has a bug is not the proper way to address it...the fact that you kept flashing the OTA repeatedly is mind boggling.
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • I must say I absolutely LOVE my P2XL for its camera quality and its software updates...I bought a Note 9 as I think my P2XL is malfunctioning (unresponsiveness in the lock screen post updating Sept.2018 Android Pie via side loading OTA method); fingers crossed for my phone!


      EDIT: My phone worked well after I flashed the Sept.2018 Factory Image; phone booted up and loaded all the apps; turned off the phone to insert my SIM and booted; then the lock screen appears and it's blanked, unresponsive; only the power, and volume button works...Everything worked well until the rebooting (which was the same as before prior to flashing the factory image).

      Hardware issue then?



      I have requested for a replacement... hopefully the refurbished phone is of good quality...
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Got the Sept update on release date...not just wanted happened with August.
    • Report Post
  • dnyc
    • Google will be sending me a replacement (likely refurb) but I have to sent my phone in first.
      thanks, good to know. I use to buy direct from them and had no issues with their warranty. i read in the past people had issues with warranty for the nexus 6p if not bought direct from them.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • keep us posted! i've always had good experiences with google replacing my phone. did you buy from them direct or elsewhere? only asking as they treat you very well if the phone was bought direct from them vs from a provider.
      Google will be sending me a replacement (likely refurb) but I have to sent my phone in first.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • keep us posted! i've always had good experiences with google replacing my phone. did you buy from them direct or elsewhere? only asking as they treat you very well if the phone was bought direct from them vs from a provider.
      From Rogers. Seems to be ok today, it's charging and not hot.
    • Report Post
  • dnyc
    • So my Pixel 2 XL might have bit the dust today. It was down to 8% battery life so I plugged the charger in and it got burning hot and didn't charge. I touched the metal piece of the USB-C charger and it was HOT.

      Called Google and they will escalate it and have someone call me back in 24-48 hours.
      keep us posted! i've always had good experiences with google replacing my phone. did you buy from them direct or elsewhere? only asking as they treat you very well if the phone was bought direct from them vs from a provider.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • So my Pixel 2 XL might have bit the dust today. It was down to 8% battery life so I plugged the charger in and it got burning hot and didn't charge. I touched the metal piece of the USB-C charger and it was HOT.

      Called Google and they will escalate it and have someone call me back in 24-48 hours.
    • Report Post
  • FrancisBacon
    • Wait a couple of months closer to Pixel 3 release date.
      Any predictions on how low it will go, based on previous phone's history? And how long will it remain available after the pixel 3 launches?

      Need to upgrade my phone, and thinking of either the 2xl or the 3 xl.
    • Report Post
  • Jagstyles
    • What's the best way to get the Google Pixel XL 2 if I'm currently already a Rogers customer with a LG G6 already fully paid for? I need to keep my existing phone number but would be willing to port it to a different provider if it means a better but curious what the most cost effective way is to buy this phone I can get it on my existing plan at $0 on a 2-year tab with Rogers, but just not sure what the best route is.

      Also, do the latest batches of this phone still suffer from the blue tint?
    • Report Post
  • dnyc
    • android p seems more buttery for me and my battery seems about 5-10% better than Oreo. i hate the new method for split screen. the new pill button for switching apps and such is so finicky it sucks. it is way too sensitive. the horizontal scrolling of the recent apps sucks too. i prefer vertical scroll.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Since getting Android Pie on release day, I feel like battery life has improved. I probably get 10% more battery life. Over all, I'm happy with the update.
    • Report Post
  • BongoBong
    • - Battery life since the update has been abysmal, looking at the battery stats there doesn't seem to be any real culprit so I hope this is just a short term thing that calms down (app optimization or etc?)
      I't felt like maybe the first day my battery drain was slightly worse, but feels at least as good now as before I think. End of the day and still have 61% (im definitely not a power user through the day though so hard to say)
      - The new app switcher gives a larger preview but is less useful since I have to page more to find recent apps and the animation feels bizarre
      Yeah, whats the point of seeing the whole screen of the app? I really don't need to see the whole screen of each app when switching, I would much rather being able to select a different app faster as opposed to seeing a whole screen preview but slower switching.
      - New clock location is meh but I'll remove it
      The clock being in the top left? Did seem a bit odd they changed it but I don't keep the notification bar up on my homescreen and have a clock widget anyways.
      - I'm trying to give the gesture nav a chance but it seems limited right now
      Yeah seems alright, not sure it does anything better than just having the old buttons though.

      One decent addition is if you hold the power button there is now a screenshot option. Bit easier than trying to hit power and volume down at the same time to take a screenshot
    • Report Post
  • Redmask
    • I think this is the first Android update I really dislike.

      - Every update manages to screw up Bluetooth in a different way. This time its in my car, not showing song metadata at all now. I found similar posts on Reddit about it but no solutions, apparently this was a widespread beta problem that they just ignored, wonderful!
      - The notification center single icons feel a bit off and the blue on black motif is ugly
      - I only get 3 notifications before a little dot appears to signify more, I assume this is due to the notched phone designs coming that no one really asked for
      - Battery life since the update has been abysmal, looking at the battery stats there doesn't seem to be any real culprit so I hope this is just a short term thing that calms down (app optimization or etc?)
      - The new app switcher gives a larger preview but is less useful since I have to page more to find recent apps and the animation feels bizarre
      - New clock location is meh but I'll remove it
      - I'm trying to give the gesture nav a chance but it seems limited right now

      Anyways not thrilled with it overall.
    • Report Post
  • BongoBong
    • Have updated to pie and now when I have bluetooth earbuds connected, using the pixel 2 XL hardware sound buttons doesn't adjust my sound. I see it on the screen as if its adjusting, but nothing happens. Have to use the buttons on the earbuds. Guessing something weird going on with pie remembering different devices sound level?

      Also not a fan of the new split screen system. Used to be able to long press the multitask button to start split screen but now you have to hit the multitask button, touch the icon of the app you want to start using splitscreen with then select splitscreen.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Been wanting to pick up a 2 XL but where have all those deals gone?
      Wait a couple of months closer to Pixel 3 release date.
    • Report Post
  • nomdesplumes
    • Been wanting to pick up a 2 XL but where have all those deals gone?
    • Report Post
  • Super strokey
    • First night seemed worse, today seems better...did you turn on adaptive battery?
      It turned on by default on mine.

      I'll give it a few days maybe, could be trying to figure stuff out and it takes more power to do so.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Not sure pie is saving me any battery. Down to 30% after 4 hours... Much worse than normal.
      First night seemed worse, today seems better...did you turn on adaptive battery?
    • Report Post
  • Super strokey
    • Not sure pie is saving me any battery. Down to 30% after 4 hours... Much worse than normal.
    • Report Post
  • DJ Trance AZ
    • I was running the beta DP5 preview up until this afternoon when the official Pie OTA update became available. After the installation the phone was asked to be rebooted...After rebooting the phone screen turned black...no response...I could turn on the phone; the white Google logo would show and then the screen would immediately turn off after OS is loaded. I press the power on button but the screen would remain black. However, I could use/see the volume...strange....ended up having to factory reset the phone to get it back up and running again!
    • Report Post
  • mcg
    • Really liking Android P. I like round things.

      Brightness slider also reworked, makes more sense now.

      They've also seemed to adjust the font, it seems a lot more clearer now on a 1080p display.
    • Report Post
  • IndusVally
    • I couldn't wait and just sideloaded the OTA yesterday. It is quite smooth and fast but some things are a little hard to reach but overall its a great update.
      Installed Android Pie, am really liking it. I disabled Nova Prime cause I want the full experience lol.
    • Report Post
  • SureshA720227
    • Got the Android Pie update notification! Installing now.
      I couldn't wait and just sideloaded the OTA yesterday. It is quite smooth and fast but some things are a little hard to reach but overall its a great update.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Got the Android Pie update notification! Installing now.
    • Report Post
  • urbanknight
    • I got a pixel 2 xl in January. Since the beginning it had problems maintaining wifi connectivity. It will disconnect and reconnect on good wifi coverage. Different software updates didn't make a difference not did a factory reset.
      Rogers sent me a "new one" 3 weeks ago. When i received it must have done 5 updates in a row but stopped on May security update. I have not seen any update since...
      Any ideas?
      PS. I still see some wifi disconnects... But want to observe more.
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • I noticed some users got it on Rogers and Koodo too but this seems to be a staged rollout. But this time, its really slow. Maybe they will just directly update it to P? I don't know. If you are impatient, you can just sideload it via ADB.
      Here are the images: https://developers.google.com/android/images
      Finally got it today!
    • Report Post
  • SureshA720227
    • Yes, Koodo. Other carriers still waiting too?
      I noticed some users got it on Rogers and Koodo too but this seems to be a staged rollout. But this time, its really slow. Maybe they will just directly update it to P? I don't know. If you are impatient, you can just sideload it via ADB.
      Here are the images: https://developers.google.com/android/images
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • I got tired of waiting and sideloaded it via ADB. Are you on Koodo/Telus?
      Yes, Koodo. Other carriers still waiting too?
    • Report Post
  • SureshA720227
    • Anyone get the July security update yet? Surprised it's taking so long to push.
      I got tired of waiting and sideloaded it via ADB. Are you on Koodo/Telus?
    • Report Post
  • 9394
    • Anyone get the July security update yet? Surprised it's taking so long to push.
    • Report Post
  • cn_habs
    • Is the 2XL still being shipped with poor display?
    • Report Post
  • epik89
    • anyone's pixel 2 xl battery life go to garbage recently?

      I used to get two days worth of life now I get one day worth
    • Report Post