New Google Phone?

Google has just blasted the press with invites for an event on October 4. The company sounds ready to unveil its 2016 smartphones. The Google teaser page offers to "Keep me updated about devices from Google" and features a new video on Google's YouTube channel. Both the video and the page have a Google search bar that slowly transforms into an outline of a phone, indicating that this event is all about the launch of Google's new phones.

This isn't the first time we've heard of the October 4 date. A report from Android Police claimed October 4 would see the launch of the two Pixel phones, along with Google Home, the company's answer to the Amazon Echo; Daydream VR, the company's answer to the Samsung Gear VR; anda Chromecast capable of 4K playback. The date of the report was definitely accurate, but so far the only thing Google has teased for the event is the phone.

We expect two Pixel phones: a 5-inch version only referred to in rumors as "Pixel" and a 5.5-inch version called the "Pixel XL." With the advent of Google's dedicated hardware division, the "Nexus" line of phones is dead. The "Pixel" line is expected to be more premium and include Google-exclusive features. The latest leaks and rumors include a significantly higher price tag of $650 for the 5-inch phone and leaked photos of the devices that look just like the renders that have been floating around forever.