Google Pixel 3 XL Clearly White model leaks in new pictures

Early last month, the first live photos of the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL (code-named “crosshatch”) were posted on the XDA-Developers forums. The pictures confirmed rumors such as the display notch, dual front-facing camera lenses, the sensor placement, a 4GB RAM and 128GB storage model, and the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 system-on-chip. The pictures also showed off what looked to be a glass back which we have speculated may be for wireless charging docks like the upcoming “Pixel Stand.” Now, a new set of photos have been posted exclusively on our forums by XDA Junior Member dr.guru showing off what looks to be the Clearly White model of the Google Pixel 3 XL.

As you can see in the pictures shown above, the white is clearly visible around the edge of the device and on the rear. The bootloader information shows that this is an EVT 1.0 model (Engineering Validation Test), same as the earlier leaked model. These photos confirm the 4GB RAM model but also show off a 64GB storage version. The rumored display notch also makes a re-appearance and the new photos also show off the bottom-firing speaker much more clearly.

Apart from that, there isn’t much more new information that can be gleaned from these photos. The real-life photos match what we see in leaked 3D CAD renders but it doesn’t confirm aspects like wireless charging or the return of the Google Pixel 2‘s Active Edge squeezable frame. We also can’t tell from these photos if the display is OLED, though given the past history of the Google Pixel and Google Pixel 2 smartphones it’s a strong possibility that the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL will have an OLED display. According to the original poster of the photos, the rear of the device is “totally glass.” He states the “top part is glossy and the bottom is matte” but that it’s all “a single part.” He was unable to confirm if wireless charging is present, though.

Keep in mind that these photos show off an early engineering model. Given that the device is set for release in October, Google is likely past the EVT 1.0 stage in production. The company is likely at the DVT (Design Validation Test) stage where they are getting the hardware units ready for mass production. That means that aspects of these devices may have changed slightly since these EVT devices were manufactured. Furthermore, we don’t know the user who posted these photos nor how he came across them, so take these leaks with a grain of salt.

If we learn more information about the upcoming Google Pixel 3 XL in Clearly White or any other color variant, we’ll let you all know.

Lenovo’s Google Assistant-powered Smart Display is now available from $199

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Back in January, Google announced that it was working with third-party hardware makers on touchscreen-equipped smart speakers with the company’s Assistant on board. The first of those products is now available from Lenovo.

The imaginatively named Lenovo Smart Display comes in two sizes – an 8-incher with an HD screen, and a Full HD 10.1-inch version. Aside from that and the speakers, they’re practically identical on the inside, and bring the same kind 5-megapixel camera on the front.

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You can think of it as a Google Home with a screen: it can play music, control the smart appliances in your home, and answer questions. But it’s more than that, because it’s running Android Things, a new-ish IoT platform from Google with a brand new interface.

There’s no app store for it yet, so you’ll be restricted to the apps that do work with this OS right now: YouTube, Google Duo for video calls, Google Photos, and Spotify. Additionally, you can cast content from any app on your phone that supports Chromecast.

There are a couple more interesting features: you can ring people like you would with your phone, push a slider on the side to block the camera and disable the mic for privacy, and run multiple timers simultaneously.

Lenovo’s 10-inch Smart Display comes with a bamboo back, while the smaller one has a simple gray finish

All those features sound like they’d make the Smart Display a neat alternative to the Amazon Echo Show in your kitchen or bedroom. At $199, Lenovo’s starter device comes with a slightly larger screen and a smaller price tag than the $230 Echo Show. But given its currently limited range of apps, the Smart Display will likely make more sense if you’ve already bought into the Google ecosystem of services.

Our friends at The Verge, Tom’s Guide, and Android Central liked the Smart Display a lot; Ars Technica’s Valentina Palladino noted that while this device got a fair number of (Android) things right, it may be worth waiting to see what other hardware brands (like JBL, LG, and Sony) do with the new platform – or simply stick with a cheaper screen-less smart speaker.

Lenovo’s 8-inch Smart Display costs $199, while the 10-inch model is priced at $249. The Verge found that Costco members can snag a $50 discount on the larger one.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you might want to check out the Chumby, the original smart display from a decade ago.

Are you interested in buying a smart display? Do you already have one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.