Here's what we expect Google to announce on September 29
First things first, expect that Google will finally grace us with a release date for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It’s essentially been in beta since it was announced at Google I/O back in May, but the ready-to-roll version should be hitting your Nexus phones and tablets any day now. Rumors are pointing to an October 5 launch for over-the-air updates, but Google may make the image files available earlier for those who aren't squeamish about flashing their phone manually.
As for when Samsung, LG, and the rest of the phone makers will have Marshmallow ready for you Well, that’s up to them—and the carriers—to decide. For now, you can take a quick trip through Marshmallow to see some of the features its boasts, or try flashing it on your own Nexus device if you absolutely cannot wait.
Android is all about choice and the freedom to make your own decisions, which is why Google is launching two different Nexus devices this year.
The Nexus 5X and 6P will be 5.2- and 5.7-inches, respectively. The smaller Nexus 5X will be manufactured by LG and feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, while the Nexus 6P will be made by Huawei and come packed with 3GB of RAM and an AMOLED QuadHD display.
Over the weekend, a presentation about the Nexus 6P for retail salespeople leaked out, and if genuine, it spells out most of the phone's details. It will have a Snapdragon 810 processor and come in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage sizes. The camera features 1.55 micron pixels (larger than you find in most phone camera sensors), and an f/2.0 lens aperture. Perhaps best of all, the all-metal body houses a sizable 3450mAh battery.
Regardless, both phones will run Android Marshmallow right out of the box and come with USB Type-C ports. The Nexus 5X and 6P will also offer a fingerprint sensor, which falls in line with Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s new security features.
As for tablets, Google might just stick with the Nexus 9 for another year as it waits on the industry to make its next move. It’s not exactly the most bustling part of the Android world, anyway.
The Nexus 6 didn’t have an expansion slot, and we don’t expect thew new Nexus phones to change that. The Nexus 5X will likely come with 32GB or 64GB of space, while the 6P will be available up to 128GB. You’ll have plenty of room to store those high-resolution photos the Nexus 6P will snap with its rumored 21-megapixel camera.
The Nexus 6P will come in white, black, silver, and gold. We have no idea if those color options will extend to the Nexus 5X, though.
This is all anyone’s been buzzing about these days: the Huawei-made Nexus 6P will have a black bar on its back where the camera lens is located. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing design decision—at least from what we’ve seen in the leaks and press renders—but it might have to do with Google’s renewed focus on making the Android platform more photography-centric—especially considering the dismal camera performance of the Nexus 6.
Unfortunately, the rumors have been slim on the camera sensors contained in each Nexus device. We hear the Nexus 5X and 6P will each have a 12-megapixel and 21-megapixel rear-facing cameras, but megapixels alone do not a great camera make.
We’ve been talking so much about the rumored Nexus smartphones that we almost forgot about the second-generation Chromecast that’s rumored to show up. It’s about time for an update—the first-generation Chromecast launched almost two years ago.
The Chromecast might have a new, hockey puck-shaped design, as well as bolstered Wi-Fi connectivity and support for content feeds to be embedded in the Home screen. There will also be a second device called Chromecast Audio, which lets you stream audio to a set of Wi-Fi-enabled speakers in your home. We might also see a revamped Nexus Player to replace last year’s slightly-uninspiring gaming-centric set-top box.
September 29 is going to be a big day for Android users. Be sure to join us here and on Twitter as we unearth all the news at Google’s annual fall event. You can also watch the stream live on YouTube starting at 9am PDT/12pm EDT.