Google presented yesterday
its new products during a very hardware-oriented conference. She follows the
Google I/O keynote last May which lifted the veil on different
software projects: communication appsHello and Duoet
platform ofreality
virtual “Daydream”.
On the announcement menu, the “Pixel”, two smartphones
anticipated following leaks last Monday. They pose as competitors
direct from the iPhone, but Google has also launched its living room speaker which
voice assistant or even a virtual reality headset for high-end smartphones
of range.
Discovery in images and details:
Bye-Bye Google's Nexus brand, here is the Pixel range. It is about
machines whose electronic part has beendesigned by Google in
partnership with the manufacturer, in this case HTC. Google buries
therefore its “Nexus”, smartphones running Android which left more room for
builders. Google has decidedto now take orders on
the hardware, a philosophy advocated by Apple for a very long time.
The 2016 Google smartphone range is available in two models: the
Pixel et Pixel XL. The first has a screen size of 5 inches
(4.7 for iPhone 6/6s/7), while the XL model is displayed on 5.5 inches,
is the same as that of the iPhone Plus version.
Concerning the design, we find a look which is not very far from the
Apple machines, with an aluminum case and here the use of glass
on half of the rear side (probably for the antennas). Google has
made the choice to place thefingerprint sensor on the back of
the deviceand avoids the border at the camera, while
noting that they kept the headphone jack (for how long,
while
USB C becomes “sound” in turn). Note, the fingerprint sensor
also allows you to interact with the OS, to scroll a page on the screen
For example.
Google has chosen tofocus on the photo aspectpour
this range of machines, an area in which the Nexus were less good
loted until then.
In terms of specifications, we find this for both
models:
- 2.15 GHz Snapdragon 821 processor
- rear photo lens12 megapixelswith an opening
f/2.0, no optical stabilization - écran full HD AMOLED
- front camera8 megapixels
- battery2,770 mAh for the Pixelet3,450 mAh
for the Pixel XL - internal storage, your choice when purchasing,32 or 128
Go
Google is launching its "Google Assistant" with its smartphones, a version of its
Google Now assistant improved to allow more natural exchanges. For
this, the assistant is able to maintain the context of conversations by
course. It is also deployed in the living room speaker launched at the same
opportunity, to discover below.
We note that Google, which presented here machines designed for
compete with the iPhone, wants to attract "switchers" and therefore delivers with
all its machines the “Quick Switch Adapter”. This is a
connectorallowing data to be transferred from
any iPhone. This plugs into the USB socket of the smartphone and
offers a female USB socket allowing you to connect an iPhone via its cable
lightning.
Google Pixels are offered incolors white, black and
bleu. They are on order in many countries but not yet in
France. As for the price, unlike the Nexus which were particularly
aggressive in terms of price, these Pixels shouldget closer to the
Apple range, with a starting price around 750 euros.
Virtual reality
We have known since last May's conference that Google has ambition in
the field of virtual reality after opening the voice and eyes of
many smartphone owners with its Cardboard. Google has therefore made it a reality
its software platform
Daydreamby launching his own helmet.
His name isDaydream viewand presents itself quite
original in terms of materials used. In fact, it aims for comfort by
usingfabricfor a good part and is announced
relatively light. Like Gear VR, it works with smartphones
Daydream compatible (powerful processor and high resolution screen), or for
the moment: the two Pixels! Accompanied by a wireless touch controller
wire, it is marketed at a price of $79.
Other new features
Google unveiled other products yesterday that complete its catalog
a real hardware company now!
We mentioned it above, Google does not want to leave the show to Amazon and its
product “Echo”. The Mountain View giant has therefore launched its own speaker
"Google Home". This can remain listened to (a mute button remains provided) and
answer questions using the Google voice assistant already seen in the
“Allo” messaging and now in “Pixel”. The enclosure can also be
used from an Android or iOS machine to listen to audio content
from various sources including YouTube but also to communicate with
the Chromecast streaming stick. Google Home will be released in November (129
$)
Another novelty in the field of streaming, theHD version of the
Chromecast key. The “Chromecast Ultra”
targets consumers of HD content by allowing broadcasting up to 4K
Ultra HD and HDR. It is sold for 79 euros but completes the range and does not come
not replace the "Ultra" and "Audio" versions which remain on the market.
To cover large homes with quality wireless access, Google
sort "Google Wi-Fi", a set of terminals that communicate
between them and relays the WiFi signal (think AirPort in the Mac universe).
So much for the 2016 range of machines and accessories from Google. That
do you think of smartphones in particular, compared to iPhones?
i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app
By : Keleops AG
Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.
