The Pixel 2, like its competition, has ditched the headphone jack, opting to include a single USB-C port on its bottom. While it makes waterproofing the device much easier, it restricts the kinds of accessories you can connect to your smartphone. Specifically, every pair of headphones you have ever owned, along with anything else depending on a 3.5mm auxiliary cable.

Anyone using an iPhone might think it's difficult to switch to an Android device. But Google's latest smartphone, the Pixel 2, alleviates the anxiety of switching by taking care of all the annoying parts, such as copying your photos or contacts. You'll need to change some settings before you can transfer from one operating system to the next, but the entire process is a lot less stressful than importing and exporting data you might have trouble properly identifying or moving (everyone hates VCF files).

Your Google Pixel 2 has a pretty capable built-in butler in the form of Google Assistant. Not everyone with an Android phone, however, is all-in on Google's ecosystem. In fact, some users might be - wait for it - Microsoft users. And that means Cortana is their go-to virtual assistant. Thanks to Microsoft, you can ditch Google's voice assistant and swap it out with one that's more up your alley.

Your new smartphone might be missing a headphone jack, but it probably has a cool new feature to make up for it: Water resistance. Google's Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones are the latest smartphones from the search engine giant that ditch the 3.5mm jack (boosting the effectiveness of its water resistance efforts) in favour of dust and water resistance. But there's more than one way to classify a dust or water resistant device. Here's how to determine how durable your new smartphone is without employing a bucket of sand and a garden hose for testing.

Google has set out to make its mark on the headphone world with Pixel Buds, wireless headphones that can control your phone and claim to translate conversations in real time. But how do they stack up?

Android: Yesterday, Google announced an update to the way Android pairs with Bluetooth devices, making connecting some wireless headphones less of a headache. It's called Fast Pair, and while it only works with a few devices right now, the company is looking to convince manufacturers and add their compatible Bluetooth devices to the Fast Pair ecosystem.

Rooting has always been a legal grey area, especially when it comes to warranties. Fortunately, if you purchase your shiny new Pixel 2 directly from Google, it appears you can root away without voiding your warranty.

One of the Pixel 2's most interesting features is Active Edge, which lets you launch Google Assistant by simply squeezing your smartphone. Unfortunately, Google made the annoying decision to lock this function to its AI assistant, but one developer has already found a way to get around the company's restrictions.

A hidden feature has been uncovered in Google's new phone: The device features a secret dark theme and unlocking it is surprisingly easy.

If you're in the market for a Google Pixel 2 when it comes out on October 31, you're probably in the market for a case too. The pair go together like hand in glove and, just like gloves, there are plenty of options to wrap around your phone to keep it safe. Here are a few of the cases coming out soon for the Pixel 2.

Brief news items of note for Lifehacker readers, including: the best pink clay masks for baby-soft skin, hands on with Google's Pixel 2 smartphone, UK tourist faces three years in Dubai prison for accidentally touching a man in a bar.

The headphone jack is an endangered species. Apple got rid of it when they released the iPhone 7, Google laughed at them, and then Google went and got rid of it with their second generation Pixel phones, the Pixel 2.

I’m certainly not laughing, as the headphone jack prepares for extinction. If you just want a great phone with a headphone jack, here’s what to look at.

With the handful of new smartphones, voice assistants and accessories announced by Google yesterday, it makes sense to collect a few opinions before diving in and buying whatever your favourite search engine company announces. Sure, some products might look good on stage, but how do they hold up when you get your hands on them? There are surely a few reasons you'd want to drop $79 for a tiny Google Home, but could the $US399 ($512) Google Home Max be the voice assistant speaker for you? What about the Pixel 2 XL over its smaller companion, the Pixel 2? Should you even consider importing a Google Clips camera to record your mundane existence? Well, unsurprisingly, a lot of people already have thoughts on the subject. Below are the early reviews for the major new products and features announced this week.

An official launch date for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL has surfaced, courtesy of JB Hi-Fi, and it's likely sooner than you think.

Google announced some new hardware at a characteristically low key event in San Francisco on today. Nearly everything had been leaked ahead of the event, but there were a few surprises -- some more exciting than others. Inevitably, one thing seemed clear: Google wants to be a gadget company, too.