The Pixel 2’s Google Store listing has revealed that the devices will not ship with headphones inside the box. With the new generation of devices, Google has opted to remove the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, though it is yet to state the reason why. Nonetheless, instead of bundling a pair of USB Type-C earphones in with the devices, the company appears to have chosen to not include any at all.
The internet giant, which exactly one year ago today took a swipe at Apple in its Pixel launch video because of the lack of a headphone jack in the iPhone 7, has chosen to simply include an adapter inside the box of the Pixel 2 lineup for those who still wish to use their legacy 3.5mm headphones. Clearly, Google has no intention of offering a pair of USB Type-C earphones. Instead, the company is likely hoping that the lack of earphones in the box will push customers towards purchasing the new Bluetooth Pixel Buds earphones, which offer up to 5 hours of audio on a single charge and are bundled with a charging case that holds 24 hours worth of charge. Aside from the new Bluetooth earphones, the internet giant also made another music-related announcement in the form of the Google Home Max. The product comes with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers, custom 0.7-inch tweeters, and an acoustic brace. In addition to this, the device also comes with an acoustically transparent fabric over the speaker itself, with the rest of the body being built out of polycarbonate.
Despite Google’s focus on audio products and the Pixel 2 at the event, a number of other products and accessories were also launched. Among these was the new premium Google Pixelbook, which offers extremely powerful internals, a high-quality build and ChromeOS for $999. An updated version of the Google Daydream headset was also confirmed at the event and is priced at $129, while the new Google Home Mini smart speaker was announced and is on sale for just $49.99. Google’s newly expanded product lineup, along with its recent deal with HTC that should improve the manufacturing process of Pixel devices, show how serious the company is about dominating the consumer electronics market. For now, Google is still a relatively new player, but considering the company’s brand recognition and expansion, the tech giant is clearly aiming to beat out the competition.