iGyaan Network

Category: Google

  • Google Pixel 2 Display Black Smearing And Speaker Volume Issues Reported

    Google Pixel 2 Display Black Smearing And Speaker Volume Issues Reported

    Even before going on sale in most of the countries, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have been embroiled in hardware-related internet backlash. New issues have been reported concerning the speakers as well. To bring you up to speed with all the issues regarding the Pixel 2 phones, some tech critics found potential screen burn-in on the Pixel 2 XL. Google has since responded to these reports and said that it is actively investigating the issue. The screen burn-in reports followed previous complaints regarding the display that the colours were dull and that it may show some distortion in certain low-light situations.

    Report suggests that certain Google Pixel 2 users are experiencing strange noises on their handset, while another screen-related problem has surfaced. There are multiple complaints online about the high-pitched noises and clicking from the Pixel 2 when it’s next to a person’s ear. This issue however, has appeared on Google forums which means the company is aware of the problem. Also, the issue seems to be mostly affecting the HTC-made standard Pixel 2 rather than the Pixel 2 XL. Apparently, switching off NFC helps with the clicking noise but the high pitched sound persists. It has been noted by a Google staff member that the speaker issue will be fixed in an upcoming software patch.

    Another problem regarding the under-fire display is that of black smearing. This issue has been well documented on OLED panels and it looks like the Pixel 2 XL is the next device to face this issue. Now, an average consumer might not notice this but, in a statement in response to growing complaints against the display of the Pixel 2 XL, Google said:

    We take all reports of issues very seriously, and our engineers investigate quickly. We will provide updates as soon as we have conclusive data.

    Back smearing occurs when the screen transitions from black pixels to coloured pixels. The effect is that the black parts of the on-screen images tend to stay on for a longer period before changing to the coloured parts, making it appear as if the black area has been smeared. This was showcased in a tweet as well. If you look closely, you’ll notice a big blue blob around the black phone while scrolling.

    https://twitter.com/hallstephenj/status/922666081822617600

    The issues around the new Pixel 2 smartphones have been increasingly rapidly and the company must do something quickly to tackle all the bad press. The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be available for pre-orders in India from the 27th of October.

  • Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL To Launch In India On 27th November – Everything You Need To Know

    Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL To Launch In India On 27th November – Everything You Need To Know

    Google launched its second iteration of the Pixel lineup on the 4th of October. As was with the Pixel and Pixel XL, India is one of the first few countries to receive the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. On the 27th of October, the two new smartphones from Google will be available to buy in India. The Pixel 2 64GB is priced at Rs 61,000, the 128GB variant at Rs 70,000, the Pixel 2 XL 64GB is priced at Rs 73,000, and the 128GB at Rs 82,000. The Pixel 2 will be available for sale from 1st of November and the Pixel 2 XL from the 15th of November.

    Google made sure that it revealed that the Pixel 2 smartphones have the best cameras according to DXOmark but, steered away from the conversation regarding the omission of the beloved 3.5mm  headphone jack. This time around, Google has said that it will make sure that the Pixel 2 smartphones have a strong offline presence unlike the Pixel duo from 2016. The VP of Product Management at Google has said that the team has learned a lot since the 2016 Pixel phones were launched in India:

    We learnt quite a bit with the first Pixel in India and one of the things we’re doing is increasing our marketing investment, really to explain the product. We’ve expanded the channel and from a go-to-market perspective, we’ll be much more present this year compared to last year.

    Pixel 2

    Following the design language of last year’s Pixel phones, the smartphone features a 5 inch 1920 x 1080 px OLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top for protection. Powering the device is a 2700 mAh battery and it runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. As is with with every Google phone, the new Pixel 2 will be first in line to receive Android P update in 2018. Under the hood, the device has typical 2017 flagship specifications. It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller. The two-tone colour of the phone is also reminiscent of the original Pixel from 2016. Google claims that the fingerprint sensor is the fastest on a smartphone. The Pixel 2 is water resistant as well.

    Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. You’ll be able to add 3D characters and emoji into photos and videos and see them move around as you’re capturing the scene. That includes things like a sleepy coffee cup, but also some recognisable characters. Google is going to be partnering with third parties to add in some famous faces. This year, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL use a technology called “dual-pixel” which divides every pixel into two. DXOmark has given the cameras of the Pixel 2 a score of 98, highest ever for a smartphone. Google says Pixel 2 has greater high dynamic range, optical image stabilisation, and a portrait mode that doesn’t use a second camera but dual-sensor image technology. The Pixel 2 XL uses both OIS and EIS simultaneously for better clarity and stable images and videos. The portrait mode works on both rear and font facing cameras, just like the new iPhones.

    Pixel 2 XL

    The Pixel 2 XL has a design similar to the Pixel 2 with a glass window at the back and the placement of the fingerprint sensor at the back is the same as well. The smartphone has a 6 inch 2880 x 1440 px POLED display which translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio. Protecting the display is Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Just like the Pixel 2, the device runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and will receive the Android P update in 2018. Powering the device is a 3520 mAh battery which is larger than the one found in the Pixel 2. Under the hood, the Pixel 2 XL has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller.

    The Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2 also have an always on display for better accessibility. Another feature is the Active Edge feature which lets you squeeze the frame of the phone to launch the Google Assistant. Google has also made some minor changes to the phone’s home screen. The most notable change is that there’s now a search box at the very bottom of the screen. Up top, there’s now an “at a glance” widget, which displays your upcoming meetings, as well as the date and temperature.

    On the camera front, Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. You’ll be able to add 3D characters and emoji into photos and videos and see them move around as you’re capturing the scene. That includes things like a sleepy coffee cup, but also some recognisable characters. Google is going to be partnering with third parties to add in some famous faces. DXOmark has given the cameras of the Pixel 2 XL a score of 98, highest ever for a smartphone. Google says Pixel 2 XL has greater high dynamic range, optical image stabilisation, and a portrait mode that doesn’t use a second camera but dual-sensor image technology. The Pixel 2 XL uses both OIS and EIS simultaneously for better clarity and stable images and videos.

     

  • Google Pixel 2

    Google Pixel 2

    Google launched the new iteration of the Pixel 2016, the Pixel 2 during its launch event at Google HQ. The Pixel 2 is priced at Rs 61000 for the 64GB variant. Following the design language of last year’s Pixel phones, the smartphone features a 5 inch 1920 x 1080 px OLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top for protection. A new addition is front-firing dual stereo speakers. The big omission is the much talked about 3.5 headphone jack. The Pixel 2 also has an always on display for better accessibility. Another feature is the Active Edge feature which lets you squeeze the frame of the phone to launch the Google Assistant.

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    Latest News For Google Pixel 2

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  • Google Pixel 2 XL

    Google Pixel 2 XL

    Google has finally unveiled the new Pixel 2 XL during its launch event. The Pixel 2 XL is priced at Rs 73000 for the 64GB variant. The Pixel 2 XL has a design similar to the Pixel 2 with a glass window at the back and the placement of the fingerprint sensor at the back is the same as well. A new addition is front-firing dual stereo speakers. The big omission is the much talked about 3.5 headphone jack.

    The Pixel 2 XL also has an always on display for better accessibility. Another feature is the Active Edge feature which lets you squeeze the frame of the phone to launch the Google Assistant.

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    Latest News

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  • Google Adds Video Calling Through The Phone, Contacts, Android Messenger Apps

    Google Adds Video Calling Through The Phone, Contacts, Android Messenger Apps

    Google is finally bringing a feature that has been in the iOS ecosystem for a while, video calling without leaving your phone app. Apple devices have had this feature for a while and it’s been appreciated by the users as well. Google posted a blog on October 12th to announce that it has integrated video calling feature in its Phone, Contacts and Android Messenger app.

    We want to make it even easier to start a video call from your Android device, so we’re making video calling an integrated part of your phone. You can now start a video call directly from where you call or text message your friends, through your Phone, Contacts, and Android Messages apps. Later this year, we’ll also add the ability to upgrade an ongoing voice call to video with just a tap.

    Google has accomplished this integration by tying up its video calling app Duo and the ViLTE standard, the latter of which is an extension of the existing VoLTE that focuses on increased video call quality over an LTE network. The video calls will be routed through ViLTE but, Duo will be the fall back option if your network doesn’t support the standard. This move by Google ties the Duo app deep in the Android ecosystem. Google has also promised that by later this year it will add the ability to upgrade to an ongoing voice call to video with just a tap.

    There are a few things to keep in mind, the first being that you and the person you’re calling must have Duo installed and activated if ViLTE isn’t used. Next up, you must also have the latest versions of the Phone, Contacts, Android Messages, and Duo apps installed.

    This feature is rolling out to Google powered devices namely the Pixel, Nexus and Android One smartphones. Google said it is working with carriers and device manufacturers to have integrated video calling across a wider variety of devices.

  • Some Google Home Minis Just Won’t Stop Listening To You

    Some Google Home Minis Just Won’t Stop Listening To You

    Google recently hosted its launch event on October 4th and announced the new Google Home Mini. A US$49 smart speaker to compete with Amazon Echo Dot but, with Google’s own AI Google Assistant. The Home Mini was available for pre-orders from 4th October and some of the early units shipped have a defect that was anticipated due to the “always listening” feature.

    Smart home products are a great addition and smart speakers like the Amazon Echo, Google Home do make your life easier with voice commands. But, the fact that these speakers are always listening to you and how much of that is recorded and sent back to the company is a cause for scepticism in the minds of a lot of consumers.

    Artem Russakovskii of Android Police had his Google Home Mini delivered a few days ago and started experiencing abnormality in the smart speaker’s behaviour. The speaker won’t respond to most of the commands and the reason turned out to be the fact that it was constantly being triggered to listen to commands.

    Google has responded to this defect and acknowledged that some of the Google Home Minis do have this serious issue :

    We have learned of an issue impacting a small number of Google Home Minis that could cause the touch mechanism to behave incorrectly. We are rolling out a software update today that should address the issue.

    Google says that the long press function, also found on the Google Home is at the centre of this issue. The Home Mini fell prey to a “phantom touch” issue wherein it registered a physical long press and started listening to the users in order to provide an answer. Google however, was quick to work on fixing this major privacy issue. A minor software update has been already pushed to Home Mini which disables that hardware gesture, leaving the Home Mini only accessible via the “OK Google” command. Google has already updated its documentation to reflect that this is temporarily disabled, and it may stay that way once units are fully available on the market.

     

  • Google Explains The Reason Behind Ditching The Headphone Jack On The Pixel 2

    Google Explains The Reason Behind Ditching The Headphone Jack On The Pixel 2

    Back in 2016, Apple turned quite a few heads when it launched the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus without a headphone jack, something which was standard in smartphones till that point. Apple, however, did not replace it with a UB Type C port and instead continued with the lightning USB port. This move was considered to be Apple’s first major step towards a port-less iPhone of the future. Google, on the other hand launched the Pixel and Pixel XL with a headphone jack in 2016 and took a subtle dig at Apple during the event. On October 4th, Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL and didn’t get into the reason behind removing the headphone jack at that point.

    Now, in a post on company’s Pixel forum, Orrin explained why the headphone jack was replaced with the USB Type C port.

    The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack but we have moved to USB-C, a standard that is becoming commonplace in the best phones and laptops of today. Moving to the USB-C audio port with Pixel 2 allows us to provide a better audio and digital experience, as we move towards a bezel-less future.

    Notably, Orrin also listed out a list earphones that are ‘Made By Google’ or ‘Made For Google’ headphones that have been verified to be compatible with the Pixel 2. Google will include a USB Type C to 3.5mm headphone jack dongle in the retail box.

    With another smartphone maker getting rid of the beloved headphone jack, it seems more than likely the headphone jack is heading towards redundancy. Is it time to replace your trusty wired headphones with bluetooth or USB Type C headphones?

  • Google Pixel 2 Will Not Disturb You With Notifications While You’re Driving

    Google Pixel 2 Will Not Disturb You With Notifications While You’re Driving

    The new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were unveiled on October 4th during the Google Launch Event. Sundar Pichai kicked off the event with Google’s growing focus on AI. When the Pixel 2 devices were unveiled, Google said that the device incorporates three key components – AI, software and hardware. The Pixel 2 devices have a lot of smart features and make use of the Google Assistant’s tight integration with the Pixel ecosystem. One more very useful feature is the Do not Disturb mode. It is not a new feature by any means but, what Google has done is that it eliminates your role of activating the feature. When the Pixel 2 phone senses that its in a moving vehicle, the feature gets automatically enabled.

    You may also like – Pixel 2 Vs The Competition 

    The new feature was found in the screenshots posted with the Pixel Ambient Services app, which is now available in the Google Play Store. The screenshot of the menu option says that this feature, when enabled, is automatically turned on when the phone senses it is in a moving vehicle. It uses the phone’s motion sensors, along with Bluetooth connections, to make that determination.

    One thing to factor in before enabling this feature is that the phone won’t distinguish if you’re the one driving the vehicle or if you’re just a passenger. The feature will be triggered as soon as the phone senses it is in motion. So, if you are someone who commutes via bus or a cab and doesn’t drive, it is best to disable this feature.

    You may also like – Pixel 2 Duo Will Have A Stronger Offline Presence In India

    The Pixel Ambient Services app will also be used to enable the active listening feature and as of now, the app is a Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL exclusive only. But, more devices might receive a compatible app update in the coming months.

  • The Pixel 2 Duo Will Have A Stronger Offline Presence In India : Google

    The Pixel 2 Duo Will Have A Stronger Offline Presence In India : Google

    Google has launched the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. India is one of the first few countries to receive Google’s 2017 flagship smartphones, and Google has promised that the this time around, the two phones will ave a stronger presence in the Indian market. The launch of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL was preceded with a lot of fan fare and the claims about the camera and software integration made Google during the launch has certainly hyped the phones even more.

    Last year’s Pixel and Pixel XL, even though they received great reviews for their camera and software performance, didn’t perform all that well in India. At a starting price of Rs 61000, the Pixel 2 duo is already costlier than the Samsung Galaxy S8. Compared to the US$649 starting price of the Pixel 2, the price in India is inflated by almost US$300. But, the VP of Product Management at Google has said that the team has learned a lot since the 2016 Pixel phones were launched in India:

    We learnt quite a bit with the first Pixel in India and one of the things we’re doing is increasing our marketing investment, really to explain the product. We’ve expanded the channel and from a go-to-market perspective, we’ll be much more present this year compared to last year.

    You may also like : Google Pixel 2 Vs The Competition

    The company concedes that one of the main drawbacks of the Pixel  and Pixel XL of 2016 was its failure to capture the offline market. According to Google, consumers in India generally prefer to purchase premium, high-end smartphones after having experienced them in-person. The company’s investment in marketing might not necessarily persuade a majority of the Indian consumer market to splash such cash on a second-generation Android flagship. Although it will be interesting to see the strategy that Google adopts for the Indian market.

    You may also like : Google Pixel 2 XL Vs The Competition

    The Pixel 2 in India starts at a price of Rs 61000 for the 64GB variant and goes up to Rs 70000 for the 128GB variant. The bigger sibling, Pixel 2 XL costs Rs 73000 for the 64GB variant and Rs 81000 for the 128GB storage variant. The iPhone X, when released in India will cost Rs 84000 for the 64GB variant while the Galaxy Note8 retails for Rs 67900 in India right now. What’s your choice of flagship for the next year or so? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Google Pixel 2 XL Vs The Competition

    Google Pixel 2 XL Vs The Competition

    The Google Pixel 2 was launched on October 4th as the marquee Pixel device for 2017. It strays away a little from the thick bezels that the Pixel 2 has but, still incorporates the front-firing speakers in relatively thinner bezels. Just like the Pixel 2, there is a tight integration with Google Assistant in Google’s attempt to harmonise AI, software and hardware. So, how does the bigger Google flagship stack up against the competition? let’s find out:

    Google Pixel 2 XL

    The smartphone has a 6 inch 2880 x 1440 px POLED display which translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio. Protecting the display is Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Just like the Pixel 2, the device runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and will receive the Android P update in 2018. Powering the device is a 3520 mAh battery which is larger than the one found in the Pixel 2. Under the hood, the Pixel 2 XL has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller.

    On the camera front, Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. Google says Pixel 2 XL has greater high dynamic range, optical image stabilisation, and a portrait mode that doesn’t use a second camera but dual-sensor image technology. The Pixel 2 XL uses both OIS and EIS simultaneously for better clarity and stable images and videos.

    Samsung Galaxy S8+

    The Samsung Galaxy S8+ has a 6.2 inch 2960×1440 px Super AMOLED display with a 570ppi. Powering the device is a 3000 mAh battery and it runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Under the hood, the smartphone has Exynos 8895 chipset, 64GB or 128GB onboard storage options which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD card and 4GB RAM or 6GB RAM variants. The Galaxy S8+ is also water and dust resistant. The Galaxy S8 has a glass  black which means it is wireless charging compatible. The smartphone has an awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor right next to the camera.

    For cameras, both phones get a main Dual Pixel 12MP OIS (F1.7), Front: 8MP AF (F1.7). While the battery on the Galaxy S8 is 3000 man, the S8plus has a 3500 mAh battery. Both support fast charging and wireless charging as well.

    Apple iPhone X

    The iPhone X has a 5.8-inch 2436 x 1125 px OLED True Tone Super Retina display with minimal bezels around it. The phone runs iOS 11 and is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery which charges through the Apple signature lightning port placed at the bottom of the phone. Because of the all-glass design, the iPhone 8 also has wireless charging. Under the hood, the smartphone has the Apple A11 Bionic chipset with a neural engine, a hexacore processor, 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, and 256GB. Apple has also gotten rid of TouchID and replaced it with facial recognition called FaceID which Apple claims has a security breach chances of 1 in a million.

    On the optics front, the iPhone X has dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, and it’s equipped with dual optical image stabilization. The main camera is equipped with a wide angle lens and has an f/1.8 aperture while the secondary telephoto lens has an f/2.4 aperture.

    Samsung Galaxy Note8

    The Galaxy Note8 has a 6.3 inch 2960 x 1440 px Super AMOLED display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, which is the same aspect ratio found on the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery which is smaller than the 3500 mAh battery found on the Galaxy Note7 with wireless charging capabilities, and runs Android Nougat 7.1.1 with Samsung’s custom skin on top. The device has the Exynos 8895 chipset, 2.3GHz Quad-Core (Custom CPU) + 1.7GHz Quad-Core (Cortex-A53) processor, 6GB of RAM and 128GB onboard storage, which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD card. The graphics are handled by the Mali-G71 MP20 GPU.

    The new Note8 has a 12MP dual-camera setup, one of which has a wide lens and the other a telephoto. The telephoto lens allows a user to zoom in losslessly for an up to 2x magnification. The use of dual camera allows for the ability to blur out the background for professional looking bokeh effect shots, something that seems to be common in smartphones in 2017. The Galaxy Note8, Samsung claims, is the first smartphone to feature OIS in both the cameras at the back.

    Specifications Google Pixel 2 XL Samsung Galaxy S8+ Apple iPhone X Samsung Galaxy Note8
    Price Rs 73000 for the 64GB variant Rs 64900 for the 64GB variant

    		 Rs 89000 for the 64GB variant Rs 67900
    Display Size and Type 6 inch POLED display 6.2 inch Super AMOLED 5.8 inch Super Retina Display 6.3 inch Super AMOLED
    Display Resolution 2880 x 1440 px 2960 x 1440 px 2436 x 1125 px OLED True Tone 2960 x 1440 px
    Dimension 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6 mm
    Weight 175 grams 173 grams 174 grams 195 grams
    Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Exynos 8895 A11 Bionic Chipset Exynos 8895
    Processor 2.4GHz
    8x Qualcomm Kryo 280    		 Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process Hexacore processor with 2 high performing and 4 low cores Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process
    RAM 4GB 4GB or 6GB 3GB 6GB
    Storage 64GB

    128GB

    		 64GB

    128GB

    		 64GB

    256GB

    		 64GB
    Storage Expandability No Yes up to 256GB No Yes up to 256GB
    Primary Camera 12.2MP with an f/1.8 aperture

    Dual pixel technology

    		 Dual Pixel 12MP with an f/1.7 aperture 12MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras
    Wide-angle: ƒ/1.8 aperture
    Telephoto: ƒ/2.4 aperture    		 Dual 12MP camera
    Wide-angle: ƒ/1.7 aperture
    Telephoto: ƒ/2.4 aperture
    Primary Camera Features Simultaneous OIS and EISPortrait mode OIS

    PDAF

    		 Portrait mode
    Portrait Lighting (beta)
    Dual optical image stabilization
    Six?element lens
    Quad-LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync    		 PDAF
    2X lossless optical zoom
    Bokeh Effect
    Dual OIS
    Secondary Camera 8MP with an f/2.4 aperture 8MP AF (F1.7) 7MP camera
    f/2.2 aperture    		 8MP with an f/1.7 aperture
    Colours  Black and White, All Black Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey  Space Gray, Silver Midnight Black, Maple Gold

     

  • Google Pixel 2 Vs The Competition

    Google Pixel 2 Vs The Competition

    On October 4th, Google announced the next iteration of its Android smartphones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Smaller of the two siblings, the Pixel 2 has a tight integration with Google Assistant. With the Google Pixel 2 arriving in India on November 1st, let’s take a look at how it stacks up against the competition.

    Google Pixel 2

    The Google Pixel 2 has a 5 inch 1920 x 1080 px OLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top for protection. Powering the device is a 2700 mAh battery and it runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. As is with with every Google phone, the new Pixel 2 will be first in line to receive Android P update in 2018. Under the hood, the device has typical 2017 flagship specifications. It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller. The two-tone colour of the phone is also reminiscent of the original Pixel from 2016. Google claims that the fingerprint sensor is the fastest on a smartphone. The Pixel 2 is water resistant as well.

    On the camera front, Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. The Pixel 2 XL uses both OIS and EIS simultaneously for better clarity and stable images and videos. The portrait mode works on both rear and font facing cameras, just like the new iPhones.

    Samsung Galaxy S8

    The Samsung Galaxy S8 has a 5.8” 2960×1440 px Super AMOLED display with a 570ppi. Powering the device is a 3000 mAh battery and it runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Under the hood, both the smartphone has Exynos 8895 chipset, 64GB onboard storage options which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD card and 4GB RAM. The Galaxy S8 is also water and dust resistant. The Galaxy S8 has a glass  black which means it is wireless charging compatible. The smartphone has an awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor right next to the camera.

    For cameras, both phones get a main Dual Pixel 12MP OIS (F1.7), Front: 8MP AF (F1.7). While the battery on the Galaxy S8 is 3000 man, the S8plus has a 3500 mAh battery. Both support fast charging and wireless charging as well.

    Apple iPhone 8

    The Apple iPhone 8 has a 4.7 inch 1334 x 750 px IPS LCD True Tone display. Under the hood, the iPhone 8 has the A11 Bionic chipset with a hexacore processor and the new Apple GPU. Because of the glass back, the iPhone 8 is now wireless charging capable. The iPhone 8 runs iOS 11 and the battery of the iPhone 8 is identical to the iPhone 7. The iPhone 8 is available in two storage variants, 64GB and 256GB.

    On the camera front, there’s a 12-megapixel sensor on the iPhone 8 that is larger, faster and has optical image stabilisation. The iPhone 8 Plus also has new 12 MP sensors. The main camera is equipped with a wide angle lens and has an f/1.8 aperture while the secondary telephoto lens has an f/2.8 aperture. The dual cameras on the iPhone 8 Plus also have a new “Portrait Lighting” feature to adjust the lighting for portrait shots.

     

    Specifications Google Pixel 2 Samsung Galaxy S8 Apple iPhone 8
    Price Rs 61000 for 64GB variant Rs 55900

    		 Rs 59,999 for 64GB variant
    Display size and type 5 inch OLED 5.8 inch Super AMOLED 4.7 inch IPS LCD True Tone Display
    Display resolution 1920 x 1080 px 2960 x 1440 px 1334 x 750 px
    Dimensions 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
    Weight 143 grams 155 grams 148 grams
    Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Exynos 8895 A11 Bionic Chipset
    Processor 2.4GHz
    8x Qualcomm Kryo 280    		 Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process Hexacore processor
    RAM 4GB 4GB 3GB
    Storage 64GB

    128GB

    		 64GB 64GB

    256GB
    Storage Expandability No Yes

    Up to 256GB

    		 No
    Primary Camera 12.2MP with an f/1.8 aperture

    Dual pixel technology

    		 Dual Pixel 12MP with an f/1.7 aperture 12MP with an f/1.8 aperture
    Primary Camera Features Simultaneous OIS and EIS

    Portrait mode

    		 OIS and EIS

    PDAF

    		 OIS

    Six element lens
    Secondary Camera 8MP with an f/2.4 aperture

    Portrait mode

    		 8MP AF (F1.7) 7MP camera
    f/2.2 aperture
    Colours White, Blue, Black Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Grey Gold, Silver, Space Gray
  • Google Pixel 2 Has The Best Camera In A Smartphone : DXOmark

    Google Pixel 2 Has The Best Camera In A Smartphone : DXOmark

    On October 4th, Google presented its strategy for the future. Google wants the perfect harmony of AI, software and hardware for its upcoming devices. All eyes were on the announcement of the much awaited Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The announcement of the two phones was succeeded with their DXOmar scores. DXOmark is a portal that rates the camera of a smartphone on different parameters. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have a score of 98 on DXOmark which makes the Pixel 2 camera as the best smartphone camera in the world right now. In September, it was announced that the iPhone 8 has the best smartphone camera in the world.

    Photos are an extremely subjective, just like sound. Hence, scores by DXOmark can mean everything or absolutely nothing to a consumer but, having the best smartphone camera in the market doesn’t hurt.

    The Google Pixel 2 not only takes the DxOMark Mobile scoring crown with a stunning Overall score of 98, but its video performance improves by 5 points over the original Pixel, putting it at 96 and at the top of our video ranking. The Pixel 2’s photo performance is really impressive at 99, and just one point short of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, which scored an amazing 100 in our photo category.

    In terms of optics, Google decided to go with a tried and testing route of a single camera of the back instead of the now-trending dual-cameras. Both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have a 12.2MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture and feature a “dual-pixel” technology. What this basically does is that it literally divides every pixel into two. Even though the phones have a single camera, you can still take portrait style photos from both the front and the back camera thanks to Google’s software processing. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. On the video front, the rear-facing camera uses both OIS and EIS for stable videos and records 4K videos at 30FPS.

    Would you consider buying a phone just because of its superior DXOmark scores? Let us know in the comments below.

  • Google Launches The AI Powered Pixel Buds For US$159

    Google Launches The AI Powered Pixel Buds For US$159

    Google has launched the Pixel Buds, a Google Assistant powered pair of neckbands. The Pixel Buds are priced at US$159 and features tight integration with the Pixel devices such as the new Pixel 2, Pixel 2 Xl and the Pixelbook launched alongside on 4th October.

    The Pixel Buds are a direct rival of the Apple AirPods in terms of what it can do. The Google Pixel Buds feature touch controls and you can interact with the earphones via voice using Google Assistant. You can skip songs, ask for directions and call someone without using your phone at all. They are meant to work primarily with the Pixel devices. The cord connecting the two ear plugs is made of cloth. The Pixel Buds come in a little cloth-covered case that can also recharge them when they’re low. Google says they should last about five hours on a charge; the case can charge them four times. The earbuds have a 120mAh battery while the case has a 620mAh battery capacity.

    Just like the Pixel 2, the Pixel Buds will retail in three colour variant, White, Blue and Black. The Pixel Buds are up for pre-orders in the US and will start shipping in 6-7 weeks.

  • Google Launches The Pixelbook For US$999

    Google Launches The Pixelbook For US$999

    Google has launched a new iteration of its laptop lineup, the Pixelbook. The Pixelbook has a touch sensitive screen and can be converted into a tablet. Google has introduced a stylus as well called the Pixel Pen. The Pixelbook will also be powered by Google Assistant. Google Play Store will also be compatible with Pixelbook, meaning you can have your favourite Android apps on your laptop. The new Pixelbook starts at a price of US$999 and the Pixel Pen will retail for US$99.

    Pixelbook is the thinnest and lightest laptop we’ve ever made.

    The Pixelbook has a 12.3 inch 2400 x 1600 (235 ppi) Quad HD LCD display which is touch sensitive and support for the new Pixel Pen. Under the hood, the Pixelbook has the 7th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 16GB of RAM and three storage options of 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. The Pixelbook can be charged using a USB Type C cable and supports fast charging. Powering the device is a 41 Whr battery which gives a usage time of up to 10 hours. It also has a dedicated Google Assistant key to the left of the space bar. The Pixelbook weighs 1.1kg and is available in one colour variant only. The design is inspired by the Pixel phones with a two-tone colour at the back.

    The keyboard on the Pixelbook has backlit keys and a travel distance of 0.8mm. A new smart feature introduced by Google is that if the Pixelbook is out of WiFi coverage, it automatically connects to your Pixel phone.

  • Google Launches The Pixel 2 XL For US$849

    Google Launches The Pixel 2 XL For US$849

    Google has finally unveiled the new Pixel 2 XL during its launch event. The Pixel 2 XL is priced at Rs 73000 for the 64GB variant. Google will also bundle a Google Home Mini with every order of a Pixel 2 XL for a limited time.

    The Pixel 2 XL has a design similar to the Pixel 2 with a glass window at the back and the placement of the fingerprint sensor at the back is the same as well. The smartphone has a 6 inch 2880 x 1440 px POLED display which translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio. Protecting the display is Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Just like the Pixel 2, the device runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and will receive the Android P update in 2018. Powering the device is a 3520 mAh battery which is larger than the one found in the Pixel 2. Under the hood, the Pixel 2 XL has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, 2.4GHz octa core processor, Adreno 540, 4GB RAM and 64GB/128GB onboard storage. The fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device but, this time around the “glass window” is smaller.

    A new addition is front-firing dual stereo speakers. The big omission is the much talked about 3.5 headphone jack. The Pixel 2 XL also has an always on display for better accessibility. Another feature is the Active Edge feature which lets you squeeze the frame of the phone to launch the Google Assistant. Google has also made some minor changes to the phone’s home screen. The most notable change is that there’s now a search box at the very bottom of the screen. Up top, there’s now an “at a glance” widget, which displays your upcoming meetings, as well as the date and temperature.

    On the camera front, Google has decided to go for a single camera setup similar to last year’s Pixel phones. The rear-facing camera is a 12.2 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.4 micron pixel size. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture. Google has introduced new features in the camera department like the addition of AR. You’ll be able to add 3D characters and emoji into photos and videos and see them move around as you’re capturing the scene. That includes things like a sleepy coffee cup, but also some recognisable characters. Google is going to be partnering with third parties to add in some famous faces. DXOmark has given the cameras of the Pixel 2 XL a score of 98, highest ever for a smartphone. Google says Pixel 2 XL has greater high dynamic range, optical image stabilisation, and a portrait mode that doesn’t use a second camera but dual-sensor image technology. The Pixel 2 XL uses both OIS and EIS simultaneously for better clarity and stable images and videos.

    The Pixel 2 XL will be available online on Flipkart exclusively and at select offline retail outlets. As far as pricing is concerned, the Pixel 2 64GB is priced at Rs 61,000, the 128GB variant at Rs 70,000, the Pixel 2 XL 64GB is priced at Rs 73,000, and the 128GB at Rs 82,000. Pre-orders in India begin from 26th October 2017, the Pixel 2 will be available for sale from November 1 and the Pixel 2 XL from 15th November.

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