Google teases Pixel 3 launch in the wake of Apple’s iPhone event

It’s the Friday after a major Apple event, so you know what that means: it’s new iPhone pre-order day.

And if you’re Google, it’s also a strategic day to drop a reminder that your new Android phone, Pixel 3, is about to go on sale, too.

In an update to its online store, Google has rolled out big number “3,” along with an option to sign up for updates. Yes, that’s it.

As small as it may seem, it’s not a bad move to drop a hint to remind people that there’s a new alternative coming to take on your competitor’s latest product. It creates some talk around your upcoming smartphone on what’s supposed to be their big day. And hey, we’re covering it.

Last week, Google announced an October 9 event for what’s expected to be the release of the new Pixel 3 phone. There’s not much yet known about Google’s latest Android offering. There’s been rumors that there may be more than a single phone model unveiled, with talk of a “Pixel Ultra” phone.

While the Apple diehards are getting their pre-orders in, there are surely many others — including those who aren’t currently iPhone users at all — looking into the surrounding hype of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max and deciding whether to buy Apple’s newest phones.

With this hint, there’s a good chance some people might, at the very least, wait to what the Pixel 3’s got going for it before deciding on what will be their phone of choice for the next year or two (or three).