Report: Google Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, and Daydream View are coming on October 4

Google is changing the branding of its smartphones, with “Pixel” set to replace the beloved “Nexus.” According to a new report from Android Police, the Pixel and Pixel XL will arrive in early October, alongside a revised Chromecast and Google’s Daydream VR headset.

The Pixel, Pixel XL, Chromecast 4K, and Daydream View will arrive on October 4, claims Android Police, citing a source familiar with the matter. The story corroborates an older report from Droid-Life that pegged the release date of the phones formerly known as Nexus for the same day.

The 4K-enabled Chromecast may hit the market as “Chromecast Ultra” or “Chromecast Plus,” according to the report, and its main selling point will obviously be compatibility with 4K TV sets.

The Daydream View will be Google’s smartphone-compatible VR headset. The Daydream platform – comprising an VR app store and a hardware compatibility program including Daydream-ready phones and headsets – was announced at Google I/O. Back then, Google only showed rough sketches and demo units of its upcoming Daydream VR headset and controller.

No information on the pricing or availability of these new products is available as of yet.

The countdown is on for a new generation of Google hardware that shapes up to be the most consequential in years. Google is taking a more hands-on approach with product design, and presumably, the software of the Pixel and Pixel XL will also include customizations that won’t be available on other Android devices. Google Assistant will play a central role in the Pixel smartphone user experience, as AI becomes the main source of innovation in mobile computing.

What do you hope to see on October 4?