Google Pixel smartphones
As expected, the Nexus name is gone for Google’s phones, replaced by “Pixel,” which comes in 5″ and 5.5″ sizes and have identical specs other than the battery (2770 mAh and 3450 mAh, respectively). Unlike most of the Nexus phones, it’s not mid-priced, instead starting at $649 in the United States.
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There’s no camera bump, and it’s made for virtual reality (more on that shortly). DXOMark, which rates digital cameras, gave the Pixel’s camera an 89 rating, its highest ever for a smartphone. It includes a “SmartBurst” mode to take multiple photos by holding down the shutter, there’s no shutter lag, even using HDR+ mode, and apparently it has a faster response time than any other smartphone camera Google tested. There’s newly implemented stabilization for videos as well. And on top of all that, Pixel owners will get unlimited “original quality” (no resolution downsizing or re-encoding whatsoever) storage of the photos and videos on Google Photos.
Pixel’s quick charging will give you “up to 7 hours” of use with 15 minutes of charging. Google has a new video chat app (for both Android and iOS) called Duo, which includes “knock knock,” or live streaming video of the caller before you answer. It will also ship with the Pixel. Customer support baked into the phone, including screen sharing, picking up a good feature that’s on Amazon’s Fire devices. Finally, the new migration tool that works cross-platform, including migrating iMessages.
Daydream, Google’s budding VR initiative
Image: Google
Google Wifi, a new wireless router
Image: Google
Google Wifi, the company’s new router, lets you manage Wi-Fi access specifically for your kids, enabling you to “press pause” on their access. Shipping in December with preorders coming a month earlier, it goes for $149 or $249 for a set of three.
An update Chromecast
Image: Google
Home, Google’s take on the Amazon Echo
Image: Google
Google Home allows hands-free music playback, search, task management, and of course controlling the smart home. The device itself includes dual speakers and a far-field microphone system. It can play songs you don’t know the name of with “Play that Shakira song from Zootopia” being the example that was given. It integrates with your Pixel for things like building shopping lists, as well as your Chromecast for video playback. “When you know what you wanna watch, just ask for it!” So far, it looks like YouTube and Netflix will both be integrated. Shipping November 4th, pre-orders are available today at $129, with six months of YouTube Red included. Six different colors are available for the base of the device, as well.
This is a developing story.
