The 4 things to look out for at Google's live event

2 months ago

So, not had enough of new smartphones yet?

You might just be in luck then, as Google is holding an event on Tuesday where plenty of people are expecting them to debut at least one new handset.

It’s been a busy few months in the smartphone world, given that new devices from Apple, Samsung, Sony, Huawei and Motorola have all had unveilings of late to varying tides of critical acclaim. You would, therefore, have been forgiven for thinking that was it for the year, but no, Google still has something to say.

The nature of the rumours suggest that we are likely to see two new Nexus phones from Google – their own brand of device that is manufactured alongside a partner firm (HTC and LG have done it in the past). There’s also talk of a new version of Chromecast, one of Google’s streaming devices.

The event is also likely to (hopefully) herald the launch of Android Marshmallow too, with any new devices introduced expected to be the ones used to launch the software for the first time.

Here’s a rundown of what the rumour mills are suggesting we’ll see on Tuesday evening.

Nexus 5X and 6P

The first Nexus 5 was released two years ago, but was discontinued earlier this year. Now it’s making a comeback with the same manufacturer – LG, but with a new name; the 5X.

The rumours are currently suggesting it will have a 5.2-inch display; which is up from the 4.9-inch screen of the previous Nexus 5. On top of this, there are suggestions that a fingerprint scanner will be built in too. In some leaked images that appeared online, a silver ring can be seen on the rear of the device, below the camera lens, that could be a fingerprint scanner.

There has also been reports of a 13-megapixel rear camera lens, a USB-C connector and possibly even up to 3GB of RAM.

As for the 6P, this is set to be the follow-up to last year’s Nexus 6, which was built by Motorola. This time around the building work is in the hands of Chinese firm Huawei (still following this?), and has been given a re-design if you believe the images appearing online.

There is suspected to be a fingerprint scanner – that silver ring is present again – but the display could actually be getting smaller; coming in at 5.7-inches, according to reports.

The camera ‘bulge’ at the top of the 6P is drawing plenty of debate – with many suggesting that hopefully it means hefty camera power will be housed within the phone.

Android Marshmallow

It was announced way back in May, and is still due to be released sometime this autumn, so it would make a lot of sense to finally roll out Marshmallow. The software could be released at the event, but at the very least we’re expecting a date for the release to be confirmed.

Chromecast

Since Google first introduced the Chromecast in the US around two years ago, the world of casting and streaming media has changed dramatically. Netflix and co have started taking over the world when it comes to how we consume media, so reports suggest Google is looking to refresh its own take on this market.

A new Chromecast is rumoured to be on the way and this could have a new circular design if leaked screenshots are to be believed. The Verge is also reporting that any new Chromecast could have faster WiFi capabilities built-in. The aim being to offer more seamless ways to binge watch Breaking Bad.

The Chromecast app could also be getting an update as part of this hardware reboot.

Chromecast Audio

Reports around this possible new product are still vague, but according to 9to5 Google, this will essentially be just like a traditional Chromecast, except you plug it into a speaker system and not a TV, before then streaming your music through that system. 9to5 Google also claims that Spotify could be ready to finally add support for Chromecast Audio.

There could be more beyond this, but for now that, as well as pricing on most of these devices, remains a mystery. But we don’t have too long to wait to find out, with all the Google-based action beginning at 5pm on Tuesday.