The Pixel 4 XL: A Phone with a Futuristic Design and New Hardware Features

Recently leaked images of the back of the Pixel 4 XL showed off a big square camera assembly with multiple cameras. Shortly thereafter, Google tweeted out its own official images of the back of the Pixel 4 XL, which shocked and surprised the leaked images. The official pics matched up what was shown in the leaked images, and it appears that Google has indeed been working on a new design for their upcoming phone.

However, one question remains: is it really ready to hit the market? Could be in December of last year, according to a recent rumor. The FCC granted Google approval for the use of solely sensors, which operate at higher power levels than what is currently allowed. This is why Google needed permission from the FCC, as they found that these solely sensors pose minimal potential of causing harmful interference to other spectrum users.

On top of this, the FCC would allow Google solely devices to be operated while aboard aircraft, which is a super important consideration since soli would work everywhere. Imagine a world where you would have to turn off a key way to interact with your phone when you're on a plane - that wouldn't bode well for that device.

As for the design of the Pixel 4 XL, I'm torn. You've got other companies trying to get as much screen on a device as possible, and those designs look very cool. But what functionality are we really gaining with all these extra screens? A tad bit more screen and a very cool futuristic design - if Google is building in new hardware like solely into the Pixel 4 XL, the design becomes secondary.

The forehead of the Pixel 4 XL appears to be housing key hardware that will allow for new ways to use the phone. This explains why the design is so different from other phones on the market. Google will need to have some good use cases to take advantage of this hardware - and they're working on it.

Using gestures as a way to interact with devices like watches or small displays makes sense, according to Soli. Makes a lot of sense for a watch or a small display interacting with devices in ways that are not currently possible. Using gestures means you don't have to cover the screen - now that's logical.

The demo video for Soli also touts how using your own fingers as something like a button or physical slider gives you natural haptic feedback. Now, how would something like that be useful on a phone? Here are some ideas: system-wide media controls seem like a natural fit. Pulling down the notification tray and Android without having to touch the screen - or quick launching apps with a gesture or unlocking your phone or quickly switching apps or panning through a large image or map, or choosing a camera mode when shooting without having to scroll through options.

These are just some ideas in theory - gestures would allow for more usability without having UI elements taking up the screen. You would be able to control your phone without having to jump back and forth between apps or settings or whatever it is that you need to do. However, any of these features I listed might not be life-changing.

But what Google can build in are system-wide hooks for gestures that could set apart the Pixel 4 XL from everyone else. If the big forehead is housing nothing but empty space - it's just a dated-looking design that irritates me greatly. See if and get Johnny, I've been on the phone, assuming his new firm will talk to you.

Uptown Updates: Rapid-Fire News

A New York Post report said that a director for Alphabet, Alan Mulally, has been in talks with DISH Network about creating a fourth wireless telecom in the US. This would be possible after picking up assets from T-Mobile. A Google spokesperson said these claims are simply false - Google is not having any conversations with DISH about creating a wireless network.

The New York Post pointed out that the statement did not address what Mulally was in talks with Dish. Wham-o cars can drive more employees and guests after testing, wham-o may get permission to let members of the public right around in driverless vehicles. Google and Amazon are buddy-buddy again - YouTube is back on Amazon Fire TV devices.

Amazon Prime video apps will support Chromecast, which is a super old news story. The Galaxy Full Design is all fixed, according to Bloomberg - the report said that Samsung has not nailed down when the device will go on sale. If that changes before this is published, we'll put up a graphic here.

A Spotlight on Our Amazing Audience

Last time I asked if you still use wired headphones since the Note 10 might ditch the headphone jack. Carlos said he uses wired headphones for gaming - Bluetooth has a delay. Jay says he only uses Bluetooth headphones for working out. I usually use wired headphones especially when working or on a conference call, and what doesn't kill you said he used wired headphones all the time - forget Bluetooth.

It's easier to switch headphones between devices on the go, there are less things to lose, and it's just more convenient. But ultimately, the choice is yours - whether you prefer wired or wireless headphones. A quick word from our amazing audience - thank you for being part of this community.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwelcome to alphabet city I'm your guide Aya's Akhtar and you are the curious audience we're starting with new pixel for Excel renders by the team up of price Baba and on leaks this time we get to see a clear shot of the front these images of the pixel for Excel show it's got a teeny tiny chin on the bottom on the top is a big ol forehead that's right the pixel notch has grown to the whole width of the phone okay so it's not a notch in the forehead you've got two cameras and earpiece speaker and two sensors the report does not have information on what those sensors are according to on leaks there's quote a large hollow area with room for unknown parts on the right side of the forehead next to the earpiece this could potentially accommodate solely radar components for touchless gesture interactions or a face ID type module let's talk a little about Google solely it uses radar to track human hands in a promotional video people working on the project said that the use of radar allows for micro motions to be tracked the radar hardware can sense gestures the team also says that radar is better than using cameras for the same task radar can determine the tiniest motions work through materials and has no moving parts or lenses that would increase its reliability let's get back to that chin there's no front facing speaker there instead there would be speakers located on the bottom of the device on the back you've got three cameras xda-developers found some info on the cameras by digging through the camera app code there would be a regular sensor and a telephoto sensor what's the third camera for that's not certain yet now how the liable is the combo of price Baba and on leaks vary they published renders of the back of the pixel for excel the pic showed off a big square camera assembly with multiple cameras shortly thereafter Google tweeted out its own official images of the back of the pixel 4xl shocked and surprised the leaked and the official pics matched up what about solely is it really ready to hit the market it could be in December of last year the FCC granted Google approval for the use of solely sensors the sensors operate at higher power levels than is currently allowed that's why Google needed permission the FCC found that these solely sensors pose minimal potential of causing harmful interference to other spectrum users on top of that the FCC would allow Google solely devices to be operated while aboard aircraft that's super important since soli would work everywhere imagine a world where you would have to turn off a key way to interact with the phone when you're on a plane that would not bode well for that device as for this design I'm torn you've got all these other companies trying to get as much screen on a device as possible those look very cool but what functionality are we really gaining a tad bit more screen and a very cool futuristic design if Google is building in new hardware like solely into the pixel for Excel the design becomes secondary if that forehead is housing key hardware that will allow for new ways to use the phone that explains the design all of that being said Google will need to have some good use cases to take advantage of the hardware soldi makes a lot of sense for a watch or a small display interacting with devices like those using gestures means you don't cover the screen now that's logical the solely demo video also touts how using your own fingers as something like a button or physical slider gives you a natural haptic feedback now how would something like that be useful on a phone here are some ideas system-wide media controls seem like a natural fit or pulling down the notification tray and Android without having to touch the screen or quick launching apps with a gesture or unlocking your phone or quickly switching apps or panning through a large image or map or choosing a camera mode when shooting without having to scroll through options these are just some ideas in theory gestures would allow for more usability without having UI elements taking up the screen you would be able to control the phone without having to jump back and forth between apps or settings or whatever gestures would need to accomplish something different than just touching what is on the screen are any of those features I listed life changing no not at all but you can make the pixel a device that is just easier to use in other phones Google can build in all kinds of system-wide hooks for gestures that could set apart the pixel for from everyone else if that big forehead is housing nothing but empty space it's just a dated-looking design that irritates me greatly see if and get Johnny I've on the phone assuming his new firm will talk to you let's go to uptown updates for some rapid-fire news a New York Post report said that a director for alphabet Alan Mulally has been in talks with DISH Network about creating a fourth wireless telecom in the US this would be possible after picking up assets from t-mobile a Google spokesperson said these claims are simply false Google is not having any conversations with DISH about creating a wireless network the New York Post pointed out that the statement did not address what the Mullally was in talks with Dish way Moe got a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to enter California's autonomous vehicle passenger service pilot program wham-o cars can drive way more employees with guests after testing wham-o may get permission to let members of the public right around in driverless vehicles Google and Amazon are buddy-buddy again YouTube is back on Amazon fire TV devices Amazon Prime video apps will support chromecast and in super old news the galaxy full design is all fixed according to Bloomberg the report said that Samsung has not nailed down when the device will go on sale if that changes before this is published we'll put up a graphic here need to change on to comment code this is the part of this show where we shine a spotlight at the most amazing audience in the world you guys last time I asked if you still use wired headphones since the note 10 might ditch the headphone jack Carlos said I use wired headphones for gaming Bluetooth has a delay Jay says I only use bluetooth headphones for working out I usually use wired headphones especially when working or on a conference call and what doesn't kill you said I used wired headphones all the time forget Bluetooth it's easier to switch headphones between devices on the go there are less things to charge and less things to remember to turn off thanks to everyone for writing in as for all of your Pizza requests we'll have to have a pizza party at some point not really sure how that works out online if you've enjoyed your stay an alphabet city please like and subscribe Amaya Akhtar and let's split a pizzawelcome to alphabet city I'm your guide Aya's Akhtar and you are the curious audience we're starting with new pixel for Excel renders by the team up of price Baba and on leaks this time we get to see a clear shot of the front these images of the pixel for Excel show it's got a teeny tiny chin on the bottom on the top is a big ol forehead that's right the pixel notch has grown to the whole width of the phone okay so it's not a notch in the forehead you've got two cameras and earpiece speaker and two sensors the report does not have information on what those sensors are according to on leaks there's quote a large hollow area with room for unknown parts on the right side of the forehead next to the earpiece this could potentially accommodate solely radar components for touchless gesture interactions or a face ID type module let's talk a little about Google solely it uses radar to track human hands in a promotional video people working on the project said that the use of radar allows for micro motions to be tracked the radar hardware can sense gestures the team also says that radar is better than using cameras for the same task radar can determine the tiniest motions work through materials and has no moving parts or lenses that would increase its reliability let's get back to that chin there's no front facing speaker there instead there would be speakers located on the bottom of the device on the back you've got three cameras xda-developers found some info on the cameras by digging through the camera app code there would be a regular sensor and a telephoto sensor what's the third camera for that's not certain yet now how the liable is the combo of price Baba and on leaks vary they published renders of the back of the pixel for excel the pic showed off a big square camera assembly with multiple cameras shortly thereafter Google tweeted out its own official images of the back of the pixel 4xl shocked and surprised the leaked and the official pics matched up what about solely is it really ready to hit the market it could be in December of last year the FCC granted Google approval for the use of solely sensors the sensors operate at higher power levels than is currently allowed that's why Google needed permission the FCC found that these solely sensors pose minimal potential of causing harmful interference to other spectrum users on top of that the FCC would allow Google solely devices to be operated while aboard aircraft that's super important since soli would work everywhere imagine a world where you would have to turn off a key way to interact with the phone when you're on a plane that would not bode well for that device as for this design I'm torn you've got all these other companies trying to get as much screen on a device as possible those look very cool but what functionality are we really gaining a tad bit more screen and a very cool futuristic design if Google is building in new hardware like solely into the pixel for Excel the design becomes secondary if that forehead is housing key hardware that will allow for new ways to use the phone that explains the design all of that being said Google will need to have some good use cases to take advantage of the hardware soldi makes a lot of sense for a watch or a small display interacting with devices like those using gestures means you don't cover the screen now that's logical the solely demo video also touts how using your own fingers as something like a button or physical slider gives you a natural haptic feedback now how would something like that be useful on a phone here are some ideas system-wide media controls seem like a natural fit or pulling down the notification tray and Android without having to touch the screen or quick launching apps with a gesture or unlocking your phone or quickly switching apps or panning through a large image or map or choosing a camera mode when shooting without having to scroll through options these are just some ideas in theory gestures would allow for more usability without having UI elements taking up the screen you would be able to control the phone without having to jump back and forth between apps or settings or whatever gestures would need to accomplish something different than just touching what is on the screen are any of those features I listed life changing no not at all but you can make the pixel a device that is just easier to use in other phones Google can build in all kinds of system-wide hooks for gestures that could set apart the pixel for from everyone else if that big forehead is housing nothing but empty space it's just a dated-looking design that irritates me greatly see if and get Johnny I've on the phone assuming his new firm will talk to you let's go to uptown updates for some rapid-fire news a New York Post report said that a director for alphabet Alan Mulally has been in talks with DISH Network about creating a fourth wireless telecom in the US this would be possible after picking up assets from t-mobile a Google spokesperson said these claims are simply false Google is not having any conversations with DISH about creating a wireless network the New York Post pointed out that the statement did not address what the Mullally was in talks with Dish way Moe got a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to enter California's autonomous vehicle passenger service pilot program wham-o cars can drive way more employees with guests after testing wham-o may get permission to let members of the public right around in driverless vehicles Google and Amazon are buddy-buddy again YouTube is back on Amazon fire TV devices Amazon Prime video apps will support chromecast and in super old news the galaxy full design is all fixed according to Bloomberg the report said that Samsung has not nailed down when the device will go on sale if that changes before this is published we'll put up a graphic here need to change on to comment code this is the part of this show where we shine a spotlight at the most amazing audience in the world you guys last time I asked if you still use wired headphones since the note 10 might ditch the headphone jack Carlos said I use wired headphones for gaming Bluetooth has a delay Jay says I only use bluetooth headphones for working out I usually use wired headphones especially when working or on a conference call and what doesn't kill you said I used wired headphones all the time forget Bluetooth it's easier to switch headphones between devices on the go there are less things to charge and less things to remember to turn off thanks to everyone for writing in as for all of your Pizza requests we'll have to have a pizza party at some point not really sure how that works out online if you've enjoyed your stay an alphabet city please like and subscribe Amaya Akhtar and let's split a pizza\n"