Google? Of course: Internet search, advertising, mail, maps-all software. Everything? That’s no longer true. The group is also increasingly serious about hardware. As serious, recently closed deal with smartphone manufacturer HTC shows from Taiwan. From this, Google has taken about 2000 engineers. Californians get a lot of expertise in House and also support crisis manufacturer, who can also help Google in manufacturing. And this Wednesday, Google has reiterated. As expected, two new smartphones of Pixel series and also a new, smaller version and a large edition of voice-controlled loudspeaker home presented. And-“One more product”-at end of Egab re is also an infectious camera that reminds a little of Dave Eggers novel “The Circle”.
The new mobile phones that Google has introduced clearly target priced segment. The Pixel 2 and larger version, Pixel 2 XL, are largely identical to features. This is especially true for camera to which group has placed particular value. Although only one lens is installed, thanks to a so-called dual-sensor, devices can also capture deep information and, for example, allow background to blur with portraits. Artificial intelligence is also used to cleanly separate foreground and background.
“We have trained software with hundreds of thousands of photos,” says project manager Matt Kulick. Google has also made a difference for videos. Optical and electronic image stabilization are combined- results could be seen at least in demo videos.
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The Pixel 2 has a 5 inch AMOLED screen and displays 1920 times 1080 pixels in 16:9 format. The XL device features a 6-inch screen with 2880 times 1440 pixels in 18:9 format. The XL also has a narrow edge around screen. With a pressure on frame, you can start Google virtual assistant. The fingerprint sensor sits at rear of both devices. The smartphones are protected under standard IP 67 for short-term immersion. A Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm is used as a processor. Google promises for devices software and security updates for three years from launch.
The pixel 2 is to be sold from 19 October on. The version with 64 GB of memory costs 799 euro, with 128 GB 909 euro. The XL version costs 939 euro (64 GB) or 1049 euro (128 GB). Sales start for big version is mid November.
The small edition of The voice-controlled loudspeaker home sells Google already for $49. The device resembling a pebble is reminiscent of design of Apple’s clear formal language, but not with its combat price. The large version, comparable to devices from Sonos or Bose, is called home max, costs 399 dollars and is intended for users who attach more importance to good sound.
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As expected, Google also showed a new Chromebook. The Pixelbook is only 10 millimeters thick, screen can be rotated by 360 degrees so that device becomes a tablet. Unlike first Chrome devices, this time Google builds up to 512 gigabytes of memory, so important files are also available locally and not only when you have access to a WLAN. Prices start at just under 1000 euros. New addition: A new version of virtual reality glasses daydream and wireless in-ear headphones, called pixel buds. And finally pluggable, wireless camera clip (249 dollars), which is supposed to take pictures from everyday life-a villain who thinks of camera from Dave Eggers ‘ “The Circle”. After all: Users should be able to decide for mselves which pictures camera is leaving and which are not.
The company has been investing heavily in development of equipment for a good year. There are, of course, pixel smartphones and Google home-a competitive product to Amazon’s voice-controlled echo speakers. Also in program: a router to ensure that supply of WLAN at home becomes better and system is easier to set up. Google is particularly hoping for a lot from acquisition of smartphone experts from Taiwan. “We just started,” says Kulick, “that will work like a turbo.”
But why is Google risking to annoy customers of his smartphone operating system Android? For se manufacturers, in already competitive market, not only some or competitor is created. Since Google Now controls hardware and software, it can be much better to reconcile both. Or manufacturers, at least most significant of m, are also involved in Android development, but depend on Google and not so close.
