As we try to make sense of Google’s 2020 Pixel lineup, an inside Android doc reviewed by 9to5Google offers us our first glimpse of what to anticipate subsequent 12 months. In response to the doc, Google is growing Android builds for Pixel 5a, a foldable Pixel, and a minimum of two different first-party gadgets.
The doc lists builds of Google’s cellular working system for all publicly-launched Pixels since Pixel 2, together with Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, the as-yet unannounced Google Pixel 5a (seemingly codenamed barbette), and three different in-development gadgets with codenames “raven,” “oriole,” and “passport.” (The doc additionally notes that these codenames could differ from these utilized in AOSP, which Android followers know are usually named after fish.)
It’s potential that “raven” and “oriole” may very well be “Pixel 6” fashions (the doc doesn’t specify), however the third gadget, “passport” is explicitly known as being a “foldable.” All three are labeled as “This autumn 2021,” which may very well be an early indication {that a} Pixel foldable smartphone is advancing towards turning into a retail product.
In 2019, CNET reported that Google was “engaged on a foldable Pixel,” however Pixel head on the time Mario Queiroz solely explicitly confirmed that the corporate was “prototyping the expertise,” including on the time that Google had been doing that “for a very long time”. On the time he mentioned he didn’t assume “there’s a transparent use case but,” including, “Proper now, you don’t must have a foldable. It’s sort of a ‘nice-to-have.’”
The doc additionally notes that Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 are slated for “October,” consistent with Google’s announcement of “fall” and notable given the Pixel 4a delay. Past that, there’s specific point out by identify of the Pixel 5a and an related launch timeframe of “Q2 2021.” That gadget — which just lately appeared in AOSP for the primary time — can be additional described as a “decrease finish mid 12 months gadget.”
Whereas this inside doc does level towards future Pixel launches and mirror these presently within the works, its main function is for Android improvement. Consequently, it might not mirror the concrete plans of Google’s {hardware} crew. For instance, one gadget, codenamed “muskie” (an axed Pixel 2 XL prototype) reveals up on this doc, making clear that not all gadgets on the checklist make it to manufacturing.
When reached for remark, Google mentioned it doesn’t touch upon rumors or hypothesis.
Stephen Hall, Abner Li, and Kyle Bradshaw contributed to this report.
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