This Week in Google 409

Leo, Jeff, and Stacey are all off this week, so Jason Howell, Ron Richards, and Kevin Marks are in charge. The Essential phone will be a Sprint exclusive, but that doesn't mean you can't buy one and use it with whatever service you want. Google's successor to the Pixel XL may be getting even bigger, and might get made by LG this time around. The current Pixel XL will self-destruct on October of 2018. Google's cute little self-driving cars are self-driving off into the sunset. Google Drive wants to back up your whole computer. Softbank is buying Boston Dynamics. Google's Project Sunroof lets you know which neighbors have solar power. Facebook expands safety check in a possibly stressful way.

• Kevin's Pick: IndieWeb and IndieWeb Summit
• Ron's Pick: Astro
• Jason's Pick: pix2pix fotogenerator

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Links

• Essential’s exclusivity deal with Sprint might not be so bad
• Sprint will give you a free year of unlimited service if you switch carriers
• Sources: Google's second-gen Pixel XL, muskie, has been cancelled - probably to be replaced by even larger phone
• Google Leak Reveals Pixel 2 'Shape Change'
• LG is probably making the next Pixel phone
• Google hires away Apple's Manu Gulati to work on chips for new Pixel models
• Google's getting serious about building its own iPhone
• Google post EOL dates for Pixels.
• Google Play’s new Android Excellence collections highlight the very best in apps
• Google’s smart keyboard app Gboard adds phrase suggestions, a draw-an-emoji feature & more
• Nextbit Robin on Amazon for cheap
• ​Google Project Sunroof adds peer pressure: Can its AI shame you into going solar?
• More Levels, and more way to contribute for Local Guides
• Google Drive will soon back up your entire computer
• SoftBank is buying robotics firms Boston Dynamics and Schaft from Alphabet
• Google is testing out a new Material Design look for notifications on Chrome OS
• How Alphabet Helped The New York Times Replace Its Public Editor With A Robot
• Facebook Just Expanded Safety Check
• Facebook’s Safety Check is a stress-inducing flip of social norms
• How Facebook's Telepathic Texting Is Supposed to Work
• IndieWeb
• HWC tonight
• Indieweb Summit soon
• Astro
• pix2pix fotogenerator
• NEWSFotogenerator Web App Fleshes Out Digital Nightmares!