Google's next smartphone expected at Oct. 4 event

Google announced that it will be holding an event Oct. 4 in San Francisco, where it's widely expected to announce its new smartphones.

A teaser video shows Google's ubiquitous search bar morphing into the familiar outline of a smartphone.The animation also shows up on a promotional "Made By Google" page.

Several reports have suggested that Google is dropping the Nexus name its current phones use, and will call their next phones the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Android news and rumour site Android Police earlier reported the Pixel will sport a 5-inch screen while the Pixel XL's screen will be 5.5 inches.

It also reported that both phones will be built by HTC. Google's current mid-range phone the Nexus 5X is manufactured by LG, while its larger phone the Nexus 6P is manufactured by Huawei.

The name change would place these new smartphones in the same family as its Pixel tablet and laptop devices.

Other unveilings

Google is also expected to talk about other projects like Daydream, a VR headset currently slated for a fall release.

Last month reports emerged that Google had shelved Project Ara, which aimed to build modular smartphones that would allow users to upgrade separate components, from its battery to camera to processor, as needed.