Back in March, we heard our first legitimate rumor about the 2017 Google Pixel line-up. Codenames of “walleye” and “muskie” were introduced as representing the new Pixel and Pixel XL, respectively. We followed up that rumor with word from sources of our own who said that a third, larger phone was on the way under the codename “taimen.” Today, Android Police says we can scratch off one name from the list, leaving us with just two going forward as we inch closer to a Pixel 2 release.
According to today’s report, “muskie” has apparently been retired or cancelled and could be replaced by “taimen.”
You may recall that our sources said that the “taimen” device was a phone, though larger than even the Pixel XL. At the time, we were told to expect it to be separate from the “walleye” and “muskie” phones, but things may have now changed.
Unfortunately, Android Police doesn’t state a reason for “muskie” to disappear and be swapped with “taimen.” Our sources haven’t chimed in, so I can’t relay anything either. If anything, dropping from 3 to 2 devices at least simplifies the future and removes some of that confusion surrounding our initial report about “taimen.”
A 6.0″ to 6.2″ Google smartphone would be Fantastic! I have a 5.9″ Huawei Mate 9 that’s excellent yet not pure Android. My Nexus 6P is awesome but lacks a 6″ display which is my favorite size. I’m holding out for the upcoming Google models to see if they do give us a spacious large display.
Just put an intel x-series in the new pixel and I believe everything you said Google.
Can I put in a pre-pre-pre-order so I can have one in my hands shortly after launch….I sure hope they get this launch right.
I like big butts I cannot lie
Thith ith the betht peanuth buther ever in the hithtory of the world!
Taimen must’ve been too close in size to Muskie (maybe 5.7″ vs. 5.5″). Hope it’s 16:9 or 16:10, not a skinny/tall ratio. Really excited about a larger Pixel XL screen.
Honestly I was kind of hoping for a N7 2013 successor with the bigger one. Kind of bummed it’s actually a phone now.
just put an intel x-series in the new pixel and I will believe everything you said Google.
I only want bigger if they can pack in 16gig of RAM, otherwise, what is the point?
Good! 5.5 as an XL was a joke anyway. We need a true sequel to the N6.
Please retain the small factor design option. tired of large phones already.
Same here. Do an edge to edge and 5″ screen only so we get back to the OG moto X size factor.
I don’t care too much about edge to edge displays either.. .. maybe the side edges.. but not the top and bottom. I need some bezel to hang on to my phone.
Agreed. I think the 2nd gen Moto x was great in that regard. Take it, reduce the side bevels, reduce the size to 5 inch and obviously keep the front speakers and that’s my dream phone.
Just bump the resolution on the smaller pixel and I’ll be fine… Don’t care for the bigger options so they can do whatever they want to the XL line
Go big or go home, Google!
https://media.giphy.com/media/FU9dWxdUN6EIo/giphy.gif
What in the heck is that from? Lol
Cool World
https://youtu.be/_kJAVgY8DMk
wow…totally forgot it was brad pitt in cool world…fun fact of the day
I’m wondering if taimen is a project Tango phone, but they weren’t sure if it would be ready in time. So they worked on development of muskie until they could make a decision.
Whatever gets me a new version of the Nexus 6. Bigger the better.
That’s what she said.
wow i’m surprised they can pivot designs this late in the game.
I wouldn’t say it was a pivot as much as they were probably developing all 3 in tandem, and based on design characteristics and usability studies between the 3, the middle one probably made the least amount of sense. So you cancel that model, but it’s not like they are pivoting on design.
that makes sense. run them in parallel. set up 3 internal teams and let them fight it out! i think Apple does that as do other tech companies. still, i thought they were way past that stage given timing ie – they were already running down the path of design #1.
Yeah IMO if I look at the S8 and S8+, it’s really not too different, especially now with both having the curved edges and whatnot. If Google released 3, it’d be the equivalent of the S8 (Pixel), S8+ (XL), and Note 8 tbd (Taimen). Google doesn’t need that kind of product portfolio or logistics issue right now, so trim it down and do a Pixel (S8) and an XL (Note 8).
i love the S8+ design. but that Touchwiz, poor OS updates, bloatware, etc. are all dealbreakers. so if Google partnered with Samsung and offered an S8 and S8+ variant Pixel i’d be happy.
Guarantee it’s an HTC derivative again.
Exactly, sir.
No.
HTC is one of the best things about it.
Would be cool if it came with a smaller bodied regular pixel, but odds are the the regular pixel is just going to get bigger as well. Phablets are the new norm.
The screen size is rumored to be 5.6″ if we believe the benchmarks from over the weekend. But with the odd aspect ratio (~18:9, 2:1) they could fit a much larger display in the same relative footprint.
Hate the 2:1 aspect ratio.. it was all good for a the first few weeks after the S8.. but then you realize what a dumb move that is.
Ahhh, this makes sense now. 5.6″ at 17.5:9 is the same width as 5.2″ at 16:9. So, the “benched” 5.6″ phone is the SMALL one.
Makes sense if they did indeed originally have three slated. An XL with a 6″ screen and no bezel being smaller than the current XL would be excellent.
That would be a (wet) dream come true.
Soooooo…..which device was it that leaked some rumored specs a short while ago (Pixel XL2)? http://www.droid-life.com/2017/06/09/reported-specs-pixel-xl-2/
That one is likely the smaller one (walleye), since 5.6″ at 17.5:9 ratio is the same width as 5.2″ at 16:9.
Another 6″ device ala Shamu would be fantastic IMO.
Now if only it has front facing speakers.
Front facing is nice, but I doubt you will see it. I would personally rather them not be on front, as I want a bigger screen that still fits in a pocket. I don’t use the speakers on the the phone very often. If I am at home, I will use a tv, or my theater in the basement. If I am somewhere else, and want to watch movies or listen to music, I am usually near a bt device (headphones, car, speaker, etc).
I agree that I doubt we will see it. But after owning the HTC M7 and the Nexus 6P, I will never go back to cupping my hand over the back of my phone in order to hear audio clearly.
Nexus 6 had front facing speakers and minimal bezels, im sure they could do it, all depends on the manufacturer.
I would rather have a full screen like the S8 over front facing speakers
U’re the only one that matters in this world and Google will do exactly what you want.
Won’t happen so long as they’re blocked/muffled by the VR headset, same for Samsung flagships.
Yes, God please let it be….
Careful. If it’s 6″ at 17.5:9, it’ll be narrower than a 5.7″ 16:9 phone. That means smaller video playback.
Just give me another Nexus 6 with updated hardware, and I’d be happy
I guess the muskie device was too small and they decided to have a larger device in place to compete with the Galaxy S8 or LG G6.