Google unveils new home speakers and Pixel 2

Google has launched a raft of new products including the latest generation of the Pixel phone, two additional Home speakers and a high-end Pixelbook, a laptop and tablet hybrid.

The Pixel 2 and larger Pixel 2 XL were unveiled at a special event in San Francisco. The Pixel 2 is designed to showcase the best of Google’s Android Oreo software, and boasts features such as a squeezable body that can be used to summon Google Assistant, an always-on screen that can detect any song being played within earshot, and Google Lens, a smart camera that allows users to search the real world using image recognition.

The Pixel 2 also has an edge-to-edge screen, no headphone jack and a red power button. Google claimed the Pixel 2 also had the best camera of any smartphone, a significant improvement on the widely-acclaimed camera on last year’s Pixel.

To go with the Pixel 2 phone, Google revealed a new pair of wireless headphones called the Pixel Buds and the Clips miniature camera. The headphones can translate foreign languages in real time.

The company also unveiled two new versions of the Google Home, its voice-activated smart speaker that rivals Amazon’s Echo. The Google Home Mini is a smaller and cheaper circular speaker, while the Google Home Max is a more expensive model boasting superior sound quality.

Finally, the company unveiled the Pixelbook, a touchscreen laptop with a curved hinge that allows it to be used as a tablet.

The launch comes a year after Google, which makes the Android software that features on most phones, shook up the smartphone market by releasing its own device. While the original Pixel was praised by reviewers, Google struggle to make enough to match demand.

The Pixel 2 phones are water resistant, feature super-fast charging, and have unlimited online photo storage. The phones follow Apple in ditching the headphone jack, with headphones connecting to the USB-C charging port via an adapter.

Google said the 5-inch Pixel would cost $649 and be released on October 19, and the Pixel 2 would cost $849 and be released on November 15. UK pricing is expected to be roughly similar in pounds.