The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are all but confirmed to debut early next month, as Google is now going big with advertising and teasing its Oct. 4 event.
By going big, we mean literally big — Google is taking over the largest electronic billboard ever at Times Square in New York, covering an entire city block in a crowded area where it's bound to be seen by a slew of passersby.
As Mashable reports, the billboard measures a whopping 77.69 x 329.65 feet and has a resolution of 2,368 x 10,048 pixels, basically trumping 4K displays by a massive 15 million pixels. The billboard is located at 1535 Broadway, between the 45th and 46th streets, close to Google's New York headquarters.
That's not all, however. Google also posted a short, 30-second spot on YouTube, teasing the upcoming Oct. 4 launch event. If there was any doubt left that Google's event is smartphone-related, it's pretty clear now. The video ad shows a search bar gradually changing its shape until morphing into a smartphone. The "G" logo and the Oct. 4 seen in the clip make it clear that Google's next smartphone(s) will debut on that date.
Google also made a separate website, aptly called madeby.google.com, showing virtually the same ad as the YouTube clip. The website, however, allows users to register for more information about Google devices and what they can do. Just enter your email address and Google will keep you up to date as soon as it's ready to share more details.
Excitement for Google's big launch event is gradually building up and we expect some great things. Aside from the highly anticipated Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, Google is also expected to unveil Google Home, a 4K Chromecast and a DayDream VR viewer.
While they're all exciting, the Pixel smartphones will likely be the stars of the show. Google is reportedly moving away from its Nexus branding and going for the Pixel moniker instead, which may indicate that it's ready to position its smartphones higher up on the market, challenging Apple's latest iPhones.
The Nexus 6P launched last year already suggested that Google means business and can deliver a top-notch smartphone, as it was higher-end than any Nexus before it. At the same time, it was also more expensive.
The new Google Pixel smartphones may take things to the next level and offer high-end specs and features all around, but may also be on the expensive side of the market. If recent rumors are to be believed, the smaller, 5-inch Pixel could start at $649, which means that the more advanced, 5.5-inch Pixel XL could be even steeper. On the bright side, Google will reportedly offer Pixel financing options without Google Fi.
Google has yet to confirm any Pixel details, but one thing's for sure: the big Oct. 4 unveiling is just around the corner, and we'll keep you up to date as soon as we have the official scoop.
In the meantime, check out Google's teaser clip below.
