Google Pixel 2 event: Sundar Pichai takes the stage
It is Google's time to show the new things that it's been prepping up for us. The online search giant's press event in San Francisco is the one we have been waiting for. Sundar Pichai takes the stage to talk about machine learning and the advances made in Google applications, such as Maps and Google translation using machine learning. Here's all about the announcements!
$49 Home Mini announced, to compete with Amazon's Echo Dot
Google's head of industrial design for Home, Isabelle Olsson introduces Google Home Mini. "More accessible, to more people, in more rooms," mentions Isabelle. This is Google's answer to recently-launched Amazon's Echo Dot. The circular shape of the device allows for 360-degree sound and one can connect it wirelessly to Chromecast speakers. Mini will be available for $49 in the US, pre-orders starts today.
What is new in Google Assistant?
Google Assistant now has a new feature called Broadcast, in which one message will get echoed by its other Home products. 50 new experiences have been added to Google Home. It has now been honed to understand conversation of children.
Google announces Home Max, its smart home speaker
The new Google Home Max has been introduced. Home Max has "smart sound" enabled in it; it allows the speaker to set the music according to the surrounding conditions. Max has Google Assistant built into it. It will connect to YouTube music, Spotify etc. It will cost $399 and will be available in 2 colors. It will have 12 month free subscription of YouTube Red.
All about Google's Pixelbook
Matt Voukon launched Pixelbook; it is the thinnest laptop by Google. It's 10mm thin and weighs 1kg. It boasts of 12.3 inch touchscreen and comes with a backlit design. Its charger can also be used with Pixel Phones. It will give 2hrs of battery life after just 15 minutes of charge. It has the Google Assistant built in, comes upto 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage.
What's the pocket pinch?
A new stylus pen has also been introduced. It uses machine learning for recognizing handwriting. Pixelbook can also be used as a tablet. PixelBook starts at $999 and the pen costs $99. Both will be available from October 31st, the pre-order will start from today.
And here comes the most awaited announcement: Pixel Phone!
Vice President-product management at Google, Mario Queiroz finally introduces Pixel 2. It is available in two sizes - 5 and 6 inches. It has an all-aluminium body. The fingerprint sensor is in the back. It has front-facing stereo speakers and no headphone jack. Both the phones are water proof. He said, "We don't set aside better features for the larger device" a direct jab at Apple.
Further details: what's under the hood?
Pixel 2 features always-on-display to show notifications without turning the phone on. The Google Search is now at the bottom and will be available on all windows of the phone. It now features Active Edge squeeze function to bring the assistant to the users.
Google Lens, AR stickers and more
Google Lens gets previewed by Aparna, Senior Director of Product. It helps users to identify words, images and gives information about them. Lens works from different angles, with shaky hands and under adverse conditions. Pixel phones will be the first to get Google Lens. In addition, AR stickers have been launched exclusively for Pixel. They include stickers featuring different Netflix characters. More stickers will be added soon.
What is so unique about Pixel's camera?
There's a Portrait Mode to give images a blurred look in the background. It has a dual pixel sensor technology, which combines with machine learning. Pixel 2 does both optical and digital stabilization at the same time, while recording a video. It has "fused image stabilization," to reduce blur and low light. Users will be given unlimited storage for all images/videos taken with the new phones.
And, how much does Pixel cost?
The Pixel 2 starts at $649 for the 64GB version. The XL model's starting price has been set at $849. They are going to be made available in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, the UK and US. Pre-orders are starting from today.
