Pixel 2 XL "Confirmed" By Google Release

Google has revealed that they'll be releasing at least two new Google Pixel devices on dates likely set for Autumn of 2017.* This year's reveal could come very close to the Pixel release date from last year – October for the reveal and release a couple weeks later. We're crossing our fingers for a slightly smoother launch – and more realistic expectations for demand – this time around!

*The reveal comes courtesy of a source that often reveal the earliest glimpses of Google's hardware products. Committing code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) gerrit, two (or possibly three) new Google Android devices have appeared. Given the names, the code structure, and Google's history with similarly-named products of this size, the Android Police discovery of these codes lends itself to some big expectations for the next wave of Google smartphones.

Sizes for Nexus devices have generally corresponded (loosely) with the names of the fish with which they're associated. The list below, starting with Mako back in 2012 with the Nexus 4, shows how larger devices get over time, sticking with Shamu (the whale) as the largest (still) with the 6-inch Nexus 6. A Pixel XXL code-named Taimen might be bigger than the Nexus 6 while its name suggests it remains smaller.

Fish Codenames for Google Smartphones:• 2012: Nexus 4_____(Mako)• 2013: Nexus 5_____(Hammerhead)• 2014: Nexus 6_____(Shamu)• 2015: Nexus 5X____(Bullhead)••2015: Nexus 6P____(Angler)• 2016: Pixel_______(Sailfish)••2016: Pixel XL____(Marlin)• 2017: Pixel 2_____(Walleye)••2017: Pixel 2 XL__(Muskie)••2017: Pixel XXL___(Taimen)

While history would suggest that Taimen would be a third smartphone, due to the name, it's not confirmed just yet. We're still in a strange place when it comes to Pixel devices – especially considering the history the brand has with notebooks and such. This Taiman could be in a whole new device category altogether.

SEE TOO: Google Pixel 2: Processor Devil's in the details

The most recent code update to AOSP on Google Source that included the term "Taiman" also included reference to Sailfish, Marlin, Walleye, and Muskie. The most recent reference to Angler also referenced Bullhead, but none of the 5 newest devices. These devices are being approached differently – as well they should be expected to.

Now we have only to confirm whether the last item on the list, Taiman, is going to be a large smartphone, a small tablet, or the missing tablet/notebook hybrid whose first-gen name was Pixel C. It would not be a shocker if we got a few clues at this year's Google I/O developers' conference.

Google I/O 2017 will be taking place May 17th, 18th, and 19th, 2017, and it'll once again be outdoors at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. Dress accordingly – or just stick with SlashGear in our big-time Android hub.