Google will announce a new Pixel, smart speaker and Chromecast September 30

Hardware season is in full swing. Apple's big Watch event kicks off tomorrow and Samsung is readying itself for a third (!) Unpacked event on September 23. Now Google's getting in on the fun. After opting to skip a virtual version of I/O earlier this year, the company has confirmed that it will be doing a big hardware reveal for members of the press at the tail end of the month.

Google's budget Pixel 4a addresses its premium predecessor's biggest problem

On September 30, the company will be announcing a new Pixel phone, Chromecast and smart speaker. After launching the budget Pixel 4a earlier this summer, Google publicly acknowledged plans to release a 5G version of both the Pixel 5 and 4a this year, so that seems like a slam dunk for the big event. Google has had some shake-ups behind the scenes following some lackluster handset sales, but while the company is expected to go in a new direction, it's not certain whether the approach will be in place for the arrival of the 5.

Also on the docket for the big event are a new version of the company's popular TV streaming Chromecast device and a new smart speaker. A few members of the Google Home/Nest Home family are overdue for an update, most notably the original Google Home and the Home Max speaker - though the company seems a bit ambivalent toward the latter lately. I'm still a fan, however, and would love to see something new on that front. The Nest Hub could do with a refresh, as well.

We'll be there virtually, bringing you the latest news.