Google Pixel 3 release – as it happened: Price, release date and features revealed for new Android phones and more

Google launches flagship Pixel 3 phone

Google has launched the latest version of its flagship Pixel phone – and plenty more besides.

The two new phones includes vastly upgraded specs, new selfie features, and a completely re-designed look. As well as the two phones – the smaller and bigger version – there was a new version of the Google Home voice assistant that has a screen, as well as a new tablet.

Most of the new devices had already been leaked ahead of the official unveiling, but Google still managed a few surprises, especially with its exceptional camera.

A full round-up of the event can be found below.

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[9 October 2018 11:13 · Andrew Griffin]

As we wait for everything to get started, perhaps it's worth taking a trip down memory lane to where it all began: the original Pixel. I reviewed it in glowing terms all the way back in 2016, and I think the phone has kept up the promises it showed at that time.

Here's that original review.

[9 October 2018 11:57 · Andrew Griffin]

This new Pixel comes almost exactly ten years since Google's first phone – the HTC-built G1. Remember that beauty? If nothing else it's a great reminder of how far the phones have come. And perhaps how fun it would still be to have a slidey screen.

[9 October 2018 13:24 · Andrew Griffin]

With the launch of Indy Minds, we're offering editors' letters, which offer a little peek behind the scenes here. And I've written today's, which covers the Google launch as well as our preparations and thoughts. You can take a look at here if you like.

[9 October 2018 14:16 · Andrew Griffin]

Google has lots going on today, not all of it quite as fun or as exciting as the Pixel. For instance, it just disclosed there was a major hack of Google+, and that it's shutting down. Here's why that's important, even if you don't consider yourself a Google+ user (which, well, who among us does).

[9 October 2018 15:50 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Google is ready for today's event, sharing a gif on Twitter just to prove it. 

Disclaimer: Don't click play if you suffer from epilepsy.

[9 October 2018 15:59 · anthony.cuthbertson]

OK, it looks like it's about to begin over in New York.

If you want to watch the livestream, you can find it on YouTube – which is owned by Google of course.

[9 October 2018 16:05 · anthony.cuthbertson]

We're starting off with a bit of an unusual video about all of the leaks there have been relating to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. And there have been a lot. 

The soundtrack is 'Help' by The Beatles – a hint for things to come perhaps? Google Assistant anyone?

[9 October 2018 16:09 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Rick Osterloh comes on stage to tell us that 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Google. It's fair to say the company has achieved a lot in that time, but Osterloh doesn't have time to tell us about all of that. He's here to talk about the Pixel.

"Many of you in this room say last year's Pixel 2 still takes the best photos even after a year with so many amazing phones," he says, before moving on to the AI technology that makes this possible.

[9 October 2018 16:12 · anthony.cuthbertson]

[9 October 2018 16:18 · anthony.cuthbertson]

Osterloh is now talking about "digital wellbeing" – a consistent theme in tech conferences this year. 

It's a tricky balance for most of these companies, as it goes completely against their core business model.

I wrote about Google's efforts here: