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Google's secret strategy for controlling your home
Yesterday in San Francisco, Google launched a pair of new smartphones, some AV devices and a Surface-like tablet. But future events could just as easily devote a large portion of their running time to the Internet of Things and smart home devices. Tilt your head by 90 degrees and you can almost spot Google's subtle strategy to become the dominant name in your home -- after all, as the phone market begins to play itself out, it's only natural that the firm would move onto the next big thing. After years of lingering on the periphery of the industry, perhaps souped-up lightbulbs and thermostats are ready for their day in the sun.
Google and LG's 5X is the Nexus for the rest of us
When Google (and Motorola) showed off the Nexus 6 last year, most nerds were excited. Others, making up a surprisingly vocal minority, reacted as though the companies dropped ice cubes down the backs of their shirts. Bigger isn't always better, and they were more than a little concerned that the days of easy-to-grip Nexus phones were nearly over. They were wrong. To go with the big-screened Nexus 6P, Google once again teamed up with LG on a Nexus 5 -- the 5X this time -- and it's shaping up to be the successor that N5 fans have been hoping for.
Google finally has a Surface competitor in the Pixel C
Say hello to the first-ever Android tablet built by Google. It's the Pixel C, and just like how the Chromebook Pixel was the creme de la creme of Chromebooks, the Pixel C looks to be Google's attempt at making the best-ever 2-in-1 Android tablet it could possibly make. And yes, it appears to be Google's answer to the Microsoft Surface as well. My initial impression? It's gorgeous. Crafted out of anodized aluminum, the Pixel C is superslim, smooth to the touch, light as a feather and is quite simply one of the most elegant tablets -- nay, gadgets period -- that I've ever held in my hands.
A tour of Google's many hardware projects
Google may have started its life as a search engine, but 17 years has seen the company steadily evolve into one that produces as many goods as it does services. It may not be running the factories itself in a lot of cases, but you can pick up more than a handful of products with the Google logo slapped on the chassis. Then there are the more outlandish devices, like self-driving cars and face-worn computers, that could alter the way we live our lives. Consider this a reminder of all the weird and wonderful things that the engineers in Mountain View spend their days working on. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
Chromecast Audio competes with Sonos for a tenth of the price
The Chromecast Audio is pretty smart. Here's the elevator pitch: You plug the little hockey puck in the image above into a power outlet, and then connect it to your speakers using the provided 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable, or a third-party 3.5mm-to-optical cable or the equivalent RCA converter. Then, Google says, you've got a smart speaker. I checked that claim out for myself at the company's event, and it does what it says, but I still don't know if it does it well.
Meet the Nexus 6P, Google and Huawei's shockingly svelte flagship
After last year's unwieldy attempt, Google had to think a little more carefully about how its nerd-friendly Nexus line should work and feel. Rather than just offer one new phone today, Google showed off two -- the Nexus 5X and 6P -- meant for different subsets of people. The former? It provides enough horsepower for the masses in a body that normal humans won't have trouble carrying (and I'll have a deeper dive ready shortly). The 6P, on the other hand, is the more sophisticated cousin, and more impressive than it might look at first glance.
The new Chromecast vs. the competition: Which will you watch?
The original Chromecast stood out for how it offered a cheap, easy way to get content on your TV in a super small form factor. Its successor adds even more features like Fast Play, an integrated HDMI cable and even a redesigned app. However, the digital set-top player arena has gotten a lot more crowded since 2013, with heavyweights like Roku and Amazon offering their own streaming sticks to compete. With so much shared content and affordable prices across the board, we took a look at what each player has to offer in terms of specs and features to see if it's more than just the Chromecast's new shape that makes it stand out.
The Nexus 6P vs. the competition: More than just big screens
Google might not have a new 6-inch handset this year, but fans of larger phones will still be pleased with the 5.7-inch Nexus 6P. It's got a 12.3-megapixel camera, laser-assisted autofocus and, as always, a stock version of the latest Android. But with manufacturers increasingly putting lighter, less intrusive Android skins on their own devices, what does the latest large-screen Nexus do to stand apart? We've matched up the Nexus 6P up against some of its biggest rivals to find out.
The Nexus 5X vs. the competition: Smaller is still powerful
If last year's Nexus 6 was too big for your hands, this year Google and LG have scaled things back a bit with the Nexus 5X. It sports a more manageable 5.2-inch screen size, while also dropping some new features into the mix like USB Type-C and Nexus Imprint. But are these added bells and whistles enough to carve out a space for LG's new Nexus among smaller flagship handsets? We've stacked up the 5X versus the similarly-sized Galaxy S6 as well as Apple's latest 4.7-inch iPhone to find out.
Forget the shape, the Chromecast 2 is all about an app
The first thing you'll notice about the new Google Chromecast is its form. But more interesting by far is its function. The new Chromecast app solves the biggest issue with the first iteration of Google's streaming pendant (née stick): finding stuff to watch. The app pulls in information from compatible services like Netflix and Hulu and will let you search for and stream shows and movies without having to jump in and out of 17 apps. It's a simple idea, but it transforms the Chromecast from a standard "casting" device into a legitimate competitor for more "functional" set-top boxes.
UK pricing for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C and new Chromecasts
It's Android day today, with Google announcing a whole host of new products including the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C and two new Chromecasts. Whether you're interested in some, or all of the company's latest devices, we've got all available UK pricing right here.
Google launches the Chromecast App to help you find content
So you just bought a shiny new Chromecast 2.0 for $35. Now what? Google is trying to help folks do more with their purchase with the new Chromecast App. The idea is to help you discover new content so that you have more to cast than just your desktop and YouTube videos. Under "What's On," you can see what's trending on the Play Store, YouTube and apps you may have on your Android device, like Netflix or Showtime. If you're looking for a specific show, say, The X-Files, you can use the search feature to find out which of your streaming apps have it.
Google's Pixel C tablet is Android's official answer to the Surface
You may have tuned into Google's event expecting Nexus phones, but Google just threw a big (if not entirely unanticipated) wildcard into the mix: Meet the Pixel C. The 10.2-inch Android Marshmallow device is the first tablet Google has designed completely in-house, and it's a not-so-subtle attempt at competing with Microsoft's Surface line, Apple's iPad Pro and other high-end tablets that turn into makeshift laptops with the right add-ons. In this case, there's an optional, smart Bluetooth keyboard ($149) that docks with the Pixel C when you're bent on getting work done, clings to the back of the tablet when you're not using it and charges when closed with the tablet attached. And much like the similarly pro-minded Chromebook Pixel, the Pixel C is using a USB Type-C connector -- you can even share chargers with the new Nexus phones if you're so inclined.
Chromecast adds video from Sling TV, NBA and more
Besides rolling out two brand-new devices and a redesigned app, Google is bringing a slew of new video services (and Spotify) to the now 20-million-strong Chromecast ecosystem. Google announced onstage during today's Nexus event that Sling TV is coming in the next few weeks. The NBA and MLS are also adding Cast support, while DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket (which already supported Chromecast) is adding a new feature allowing users to scrub through stats and other info on their phones while games are streaming on the TV. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
Google Photos gets updated with improved sharing features
Google is adding three new features to its Photos platform that are designed to make sharing pictures easier. The first is to tackle the problem of wanting to share a cool image with your friends in a living room setting. Currently, you'd be forced to pass your smartphone from person to person, but that's all about to change. Now, as long as there's a TV with a Chromecast plugged in, a user can push the shots straight to the big screen. Rather than just mirroring the device's display, however, the feature enables you to choose what you want your friends and relatives to see. That way, if you'd rather not run the risk of sharing an inappropriate notification or not-safe-for-work background image, you can run the show as if it was an old-school slide projector.
Nexus Protect is Google's answer to AppleCare
Alongside the Nexus 5X and 6P smartphones Google unveiled today, the company announced a new program intended to give butter-fingered customers a little peace of mind. In addition to the one-year warranty every Nexus smartphone is covered by, the Nexus Protect program covers repair and replacement costs for mechanical breakdowns and accidental damage for two years. Basically, it's Google's version of AppleCare, and should the extra-clumsy destroy their phones somehow, they can expect a replacement as early as the next business day. Obviously, these guarantees come at a price, but if you're a serial screen smasher, then it could be worth your while to Nexus Protect your 5X for $69, or your new 6P for $89.
Google's Chromecast 2.0 is faster, more colorful and still just $35
Google has just announced its next-gen Chromecast streaming stick, and just like earlier reports said, it's taken on a circular form and has donned more colorful shells. The company says its antenna system allows it to stream higher-resolution videos significantly faster, with less buffering. It even comes with a feature called "Fast Play" that gives it the ability to establish a connection with your TV more quickly than the original version can. Fast Play works by preloading content -- it can, for instance, start downloading a series episode -- the moment you fire up the media player's app. In addition, Mountain View has redesigned the Chromecast app (for both Android and iOS) to list Cast-enabled applications installed on your device, to find content within them and to display its latest offers and updates.
Android Marshmallow lets you use your voice to control apps
We've been testing Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" for months, but Google has saved some of its more interesting features for today's big Nexus launch event. Most intriguing is the operating system's bigger focus on voice interactions: Google Now voice commands work a lot faster than before, and you can now also control apps with your voice. For example, asking Android Marshmallow to "Play NPR" pops up the NPR One app, which prompts a follow-up question about what specifically you'd like to hear. Any developer will be able to plug in similar "hands free" voice features in their apps. Both Google and Apple have been racing to add more voice features to Android and iOS, respectively, but if developers actually warm up to the new voice commands, Google might once again have the leg up (sorry, Siri).
Android Marshmallow reaches devices next week
Anxious to know when Android 6.0 Marshmallow will reach your existing devices? Google is more than happy to oblige. Existing Nexus devices will start getting Marshmallow next week, including the 5, 6, 7, 9 and Player. And of course, if you spring for the shiny-new Nexus 5X or 6P, you'll get Marshmallow right out of the box. There's no word on third-party device updates just yet, but we'd expect news from some manufacturers in the near future. Be prepared to wait longer than Nexus owners, though -- other companies' customized takes on Android typically require more time in the oven. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
Google Play Music family plan gives six people tunes for $15 a month
Family pricing has been all the rage when it comes to music-streaming services. After the likes of Rdio, Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music announced reduced rates for you and your family, Google has a family plan of its own for Play Music. Mountain View is offering access to its library of tunes for up to six people for $15 a month. That's exactly what Apple offers, and it's a much better deal than Rdio and Spotify, which only allow two people to stream for that price. With Play Music, each member of the crew will be able to listen on any device and the app will serve up recommendations that are tailored to each user. Google says it's still "putting the finishing touches" on the family sharing, and it plans to roll it out later this year. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
