Google Pixel 5 'Launch Night In' event: All the announcements that matter

Google held an event on 30 September 2020, called Launch Night In, where it unveiled several fevices. Here are all the announcements that matter.

When was Google’s event?

The online-only event was held on Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 2pm ET.

How to watch Google’s event

You can watch the show, after the fact, via the YouTube video atop.

What happened at Google’s event

The TL; DR version is Google unveiled two new smartphones, a Chromecast running Google TV, and a new Google Assitant speaker called Nest Audio.

Pixel 5

• Google Pixel 5: Release date, features, specs and price

Google has announced the Google Pixel 5. It isn’t a huge flagship phone. Instead, it’s a 6-inch mid-ranger sitting on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G.  Running down the specs there’s 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and a 4080mAh battery. You get 18W charging as well as wireless charging, which also works in reverse so you can charge your Pixel Buds, for example. The display has a punch hole for the front camera, but sticks to a 1080p resolution with frame rates up to 90Hz.

The display supports HDR and is OLED, so should look great.

The Pixel is all about cameras. For 2020, Google has stuck to the 12.2-megapixel sensor with 1.4µm pixels that we know so well, with f/1.7 aperture. Joining the main camera is a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera, with 1µm pixels and f/2.2 aperture. It captures 107 degrees so you can fit more in. The front camera is an 8-megapixels, f/2.0, with 1.12µm pixels. The phone is IPX8 certified, has an aluminium back and Gorilla Glass 6 covering. It will come in black and green.

Google is pitching this as a more affordable device, and priced at £599/$699, it’s a lot cheaper than previous Pixel phones.

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Pixel 4a 5G

• Google Pixel 4a 5G: Everything you need to know

Google officially announced the Pixel 4a with 5G. It’s a new version of the Pixel 4a phone that Google released in August.

The new version obviously introduces support 5G, but it’s also $150 more expensive than the standard variant, costing $499 in the US, £499 in the UK, and €499 in most European markets. There are a few other differences, too, like that it has a larger 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080.

It also has the faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and a bigger 3885mAh battery. Oh, and it retains the 3.5mm headphone jack. It has a soft-touch Polycarbonate unibody, too, and no Corning Gorilla Glass 6 cover glass. Like the Pixel 4a, the 5G variant doesn’t have the wireless charging or water resistance – those features are reserved for the new Pixel 5. The memory and storage are also still 6GB and 128GB, respectively, and it has a 16-megapixel ultrawide rear-facing lens.

The Pixel 4a 5G is not yet available, but you can join the Google Store waitlist. It’s expected to release by the end of the year. It’ll be available in black or white.

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Chromecast with Google TV

• Chromecast with Google TV and voice remote now official

Google announced Chromecast with Google TV, its latest TV streaming device.

The big change is that the new Chromecast will come with a remote. That means you don’t have to cast everything that you want to watch. you’ll be able to switch to the Chromecast and use the remote to navigate the new UI – Google TV. Google TV isn’t a replacement for Android TV, it’s a separate experience, hence this is ‘Chromecast with Google TV’. The remote has buttons for Netflix and YouTube, while the apps will essentially be the same as those found on Android TV.

Chromecast with Google TV will support 4K HDR content at 60fps, with formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos supported. As previously, the new Chromecast is a simple and slimline dongle that plugs directly into the HDMI port on a TV and takes its power from USB. 

Chromecast with Google TV will cost £59.99 in the UK and $49.99 in the US and is available for preorder from today, in general retail from mid-October.

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Nest Audio

• Google Nest Audio will adapt its volume levels so you can hear it

Google has a new speaker, replacing the original Google Home with something new – the Nest Audio. 

The speaker is covered with fabric front and back, sitting some 175mm (6.9in) tall and 124mm (4.9in) wide. The mesh covering is made from recycled plastic bottles. Control is via tap areas toward the top the speaker, with a physical mute switch on the back, although, of course, most interaction will be via voice using Google Assistant.

The new speaker is 75 per cent louder than the old Google Home and bass is 50 per cent stronger, with a 75mm (2.9in) woofer and a 19mm (0.7in) tweeter. Google says that it has been through lots of tuning to get “significant” bass, but saying that it’s suitable for all genres of music. The Nest Audio will also feature a Media EQ function that will automatically tune the sound to the media you’re listening to, be that podcasts, audiobooks, music, or whatever you’re listening to.

The Nest Audio is now available for pre-order and will be on shelves from 15 October; it will be priced at £89.99.

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