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With the Pixel line, Google finally takes control of its phones
Google's Pixel and Pixel XL aren't just a pair of handsets that Google's mobile division is producing with a third-party, like its Nexus devices. No, these two new phones are emblematic of a dramatic shift in the way that the firm is going to build products in the future. The division, led by former Motorola chief Rick Osterloh, is behaving much more like a traditional phone manufacturer, signing deals with mobile networks and managing distribution all by itself.
Google's 'Assistant' is at the core of its new hardware
Google CEO Sundar Pichai kicked off today's keynote by emphasizing the company's shift in focus from "mobile first" to "AI first," saying it wants to create a personal Google for each user. The company demonstrated the fruit of its efforts earlier this year by giving us a taste of its AI "Assistant" in its Allo messaging app. But that wasn't enough, according to Google. Pichai said for Assistant to be truly helpful, it needs to be available universally, and so the company today showed how it plans to bring the helper to a wide range of products, including phones and items for your living room.
Google's Pixel phones make their debut
For years, the Nexus mobile range has been synonymous with a "pure" Android experience. No more. Google just announced the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones developed in-house that the company hopes will redefine the Android platform. Pitched as "the first phone with Google Assistant baked in," the devices are focusing on that, plus photos, storage, communications and VR (they're also the first phones built for use with Google's $79 Daydream VR headset.) The phones will be available for pre-order starting today, however -- at least at first. For now, the only US carrier selling them directly will be Verizon. Otherwise, you can buy the device unlocked (via the Google Store or other retailers) or for use with Google's Project Fi service. The price starts at $649, and you can have one in "Quite Black," "Really Blue" or "Very Silver."
Google baked its AI 'Assistant' into the new Pixel phones
The Pixel and Pixel XL may look new on the outside, but just like grandma says, it's what's inside that counts. Google has tweaked the underlying software that powers the Pixels, baking its AI Assistant directly into the phones and launching them with Nougat 7.1.
What to expect from Google's October 4th event
It's that time of the year when tech companies trot out their newest wares hoping to cash in on the holiday season buying spree and Google is no different. On October 4th the search giant is holding an event to show off, well something, but most likely some new phones. The company is mum on the details but of course that hasn't stopped the rumor and leak machines from spinning up and pumping out what we can expect from the Android maker's celebration of consumerism.
