Category: Google

Google Launches The Pixel 2 For US$649

Google has 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. Google will also bundle a Google Home Mini with every order of a Pixel 2 for a limited time.

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.

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. 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. 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.

The Pixel 2 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.

October 4, 2017
Google Launches The Google Max For US$399

After the announcement of a small speaker focussed more on AI, Google has launched the Google Max smart speaker. The Google Max will focus a lot on bass and the company claims it is 20 times louder than Google Home.

Google Max will concentrate on “smart sound.” For example, if the speaker is near a wall or on a shelf, it sounds different. Google is automatically tuning it. “This is all done dynamically” and it can change sound automatically. Google Max supports YouTube Music, Spotify and all other major music streaming services. The Google Max is also powered by Google Assistant and can recognise your voice even if the music is playing loudly thanks to a smart mic placed in the speaker. Home Max has two 4.5 inch woofers with tweeters covered by a fabric speaker grill. It features touch controls, supports Bluetooth as well as Google Cast and has a 3.5mm audio jack.

Just like Apple’s HomePod, the Home Max can tune itself for the room it’s placed in using a machine learning feature called Smart Sound. Google says Smart Sound can tune the Home Max for the audio you’re listening to, be it a song, podcast, or a phone call.

The Google Max will be available in the US in December for a price of US$399 and will be available in two colour variants. It will make its way to other countries in early 2018.

October 4, 2017
Google Launches The Google Home Mini For US$49

Sundar Pichai took to stage during the Google launch event on 4th October and talked about the importance of AI in the future of technology. Google has launched a new iteration of Google’s smart speaker, the Home Mini. The Google Home Mini will compete with Amazon Echo Dot in the market of mini smart speakers. The Google Home Mini is designed to fit into the aesthetics of your home with a circular shape. The speaker will be available in Coral, Charcoal and Chalk. To make the competition with Amazon Echo Dot even, the smart speaker will be available for US$49.

The Home Mini has a 360-degree sound stage. For more sound, the Google Home Mini can be connected with a different speaker. Google Home Mini is powered by Google Assistant and has the intelligence to differentiate the voice of different people in the house and perform actions based on the voice.

Google has partnered with Disney to bring Disney originals to the experience of Google Home. This is done in the bid to improve the interaction of Google Assistant with kids.

The Google Home Mini can perform a series of tasks with one command. it can find your phone even if it is on silent by a simple “find my phone” command.

The Google Home Mini will be available to pre-order from 4th October.

October 4, 2017
Google Launch Event Is Less Than 10 Hours Away – What To Expect

The 4th October launch event by Google is just a few hours away and the anticipation is increasing with every passing minute. Apart from the new Pixel devices, there are a few other products that might be unveiled by Google today.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

The two new smartphones have been leaked for a while now and a lot of information about the phones is more or less clear. The Pixel 2 is expected to have similar thick bezels as the Pixel from 2016. The Pixel 2 XL will have a more 2017 flagship design with thin bezels and the recent leaks reveal a design very similar to the LG G6, which is possible considering LG is making the Pixel 2 XL for Google this time around. There is also an omission of the 3.5mm headphone jack and addition of front firing stereo speakers.

You may also like – Everything we know about the new Pixel smartphones.

Google Home Mini

This has been rumoured as well ever since the Amazon Echo Dot released. The smaller sibling of the Google Home will compete with Amazon Echo Dot and will be powered by the Google Assistant. The smart speaker will be available in Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral colours. The Home Mini will be priced at US$49 (Rs 3200 approx.).

New Daydream VR

The Daydream VR headset will be the second iteration of the wearable product by Google. Just like the Pixebook, no specific details have been revealed by the website. The colour variants, however, have been revealed and the Daydream VR will be available in Charcoal, Fog, and Coral colours. Just like the previous generation, a remote controller can be seen alongside the new generation VR headset in leaked images. The new wearable will reportedly cost US$99 (Rs. 6,400 approx.).

Pixelbook

The Google Pixelbook succeeds last year’s Chromebook Pixel. The laptop will be another high-end offering by Google and will be the first iteration that can be folded into a tablet. the Pixelbook will be accompanied by a pressure-sensitive stylus called the Pixebook Pen. No other details about the laptop have been revealed other than the storage variants and their prices. The 128GB base variant will be priced at US$1199 (Rs. 77,200 approx.), while the 256GB and 512GB variants are expected to be priced at US$1399 (Rs. 90,000 approx.), and US$1749 (Rs. 1.12 lakhs approx.) respectively.

You may also like – Google Assistant Might Be Heading To Chromebooks

October 4, 2017
More Images Of The Google Pixel 2 And Pixel 2 XL Leaked

Just a day before the official launch of the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, more images of the two phone have been leaked. Prolific leaker has tweeted images of the two new phones revealing the front, back and home screen launcher.

These are the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL https://t.co/cXCs560jNH pic.twitter.com/f3P47aeZ2I
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 2, 2017

The images show three colour variants of the two phones, Black & White, All Black and Light Blue. The design of the smartphones at the back is more or less similar and in line with other recent leaks with a glass window and two-tone colours. Interestingly, both the phones have front-facing stereo speakers. The Pixel 2 has thick bezels and looks more similar to the 2016 Pixel while the Pixel 2 XL, which is being made by LG looks similar to the LG G6. The Pixel 2 XL has a forehead and chin similar to the LG G6 and Google has fit front-firing stereo speakers in the those tiny bezels, which, if true will be quite commendable and appreciated.

You may also like – Everything We Know About The New Pixel 2 Smartphones

As for the specifications, we know both the phones will have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, and not the eariler rumoured Snapdragon 836 chipset. The Pixel 2 will be powered by a 2700 mAh battery while the Pixel 2 XL will be a powered by a 3520 mAh battery. Both the phones will run Androi 8.0 Oreo out of the box and have 4GB of RAM with two storage options – 64GB or 128GB. Just like the previous gen Pixel phones, there will be no microSD card support for storage expansion. Something unlike the Pixel 2016 will be the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack which has been revealed in multiple leaks and renders. The Pixel 2 will have 5-inch 1920 x 1080 px display while the Pixel 2 XL will have a 6-inch 2880 x 1440 px display.

The launch event is just a day away and all the rumours will be put to bed when Google raises the curtain and introduces the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. And in case you were wondering and hoping against hope, there won’t be an “Ultra Pixel.”

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October 3, 2017
There Is No Ultra Pixel!

A recently leaked series of images and video that show glances of what was supposedly the “Ultra Pixel”, claiming that there will be in fact three pixel devices, the Pixel , the Pixel XL and the Ultra Pixel to compete with the iPhone 8 , the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X.

However, the leak has now been put to rest from the designer who designed the concept and made the render video. Youtuber BRECCIA who was the “leaker” of the “Ultra Pixel” has just put out a video on how the world believed his concept, and was also proud that big international Youtubers were considering his designs to be real.

Prolific leakers @evleaks and @Onleaks had denied the possibility of the “Ultra Pixel” and at the end of it all, this ended up being a big troll in the face of today’s online journalism which has become more mainstream than most would expect.

Also, ” Ultrapixel” is an HTC trademark, and even though Google has an Ongoing deal with HTC, that won’t be finalized for many months, and Google will not be able to use HTC’s trademark.

Re: “Ultrapixel”

“Does not exist. Only the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL…on Oct 4.”

– Someone who knows https://t.co/WuHuWH73rH

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 28, 2017

Watch the video from BRECCIA below and enjoy your weekend !

October 1, 2017
Google Hypes Up The Pixel Launch, Posts Multiple #TeamPixel Images

The new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be launched on October 4th and the anticipation is increasing every passing day. The Pixel and Pixel XL from 2106 were well received for their camera performance and leaks suggest that the new Pixel smartphones will improve on that performance. There has been a trend of smartphone makers teasing marquee smartphone launches with bits and pieces of information like LG did with the V30. Google, in a new blog post has posted images taken from the Pixel phones and labelled #TeamPixel to remind everyone that the Pixel phones still possess one of the best cameras in the market.

The newly launched Apple iPhone 8 Plus grabbed the headlines when DXOmark rated its cameras as the best smartphone camera in the world. Last year, during the launch of the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google showed off the DXOmark rating of the Pixel phones as the best rated smartphone cameras. The baton was then passed on to the HTC U11 which was launched in early 2017. This carefully timed blog post might be Google’s strategy of reminding everyone about the cameras on last year’s Pixel smartphones and hyping up the launch of the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. It is widely assumed that Google will improve the camera performance. Both the phones will have what Google is calling, “Pixel Cameras.” The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have a Wide Colour Gamut and Google Imaging Chip, as well as Optical Image Stabilisation. Whether OIS will be present in both the cameras is yet to be seen.

You may also like : Everything We Know About The Upcoming Pixel 2 Smartphones

The images in the blog post do look sharp and showcase the image taking ability of the phone in all lighting conditions.

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September 30, 2017
Everything We Know About The New Google Pixel 2 Devices

The launch of the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is scheduled for October 4th. Two of the most anticipated Android smartphones of the year have a lot riding on them after Apple unveiled the iPhone X with a new design and a whole lot of technology crammed into it. With months of leaks and renders finally culminating into the official reveal, let’s take a look at what we know so far about the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

Display

The most recent leak by Android Authority sheds light on the display of the two Pixel smartphones and corroborate what we have all been expecting. The Pixel 2 will have a 5 inch 1920 x 1080 px display while the Pixel 2 XL will have a tall 18:9 aspect ratio curved Quad HD screen. The screen size of the Pixel 2 XL is expected to be 6 inches.

Design

The design of the 2016 Pixel smartphones was one of the most polarising features of the phone. The “glass window” at the back bothered some people, while others felt indifferent towards it. The new Pixel 2 lineup is expected to retain the glass window albeit, a smaller size. The fingerprint sensor will be placed outside the window this time around. The thick bezels will be present on the smaller sibling, the Pixel 2. Google will reportedly add front-firing stereo speakers to the thick bezels. The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, will have a more 2017 flagship design with thin bezels and a tall display. The stereo speakers will be present but, they won’t be front-firing ones. The phones are expected to be launched in two colour variants, All Black, and Black and White. The front of both the colour variants is expected to be black.

Price

One of the most important aspects of any smartphone is its price. There isn’t any definitive proof or leak that sheds light on the pricing strategy that Google will adopt for the new Pixel lineup. However, there are reports of Google dropping the 32GB variant and launching the new Pixel devices in 64GB and 128GB variants only. This may translate into a higher starting price than the previous generation Pixels. Also, Google may bundle unlimited Google Cloud storage till 2023 for consumers who buy the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL which the company may use to justify the steep pricing.

The 3.5mm Headphone Jack?

Yes, with each passing day it looks more and more likely that Google will dump the 3.5mm headphone jack on the new Pixel smartphones. The leak is a few weeks old and was corroborated by Android Authority’s credible source. It will be interesting how Google will deal with the news especially after its not-so-subtle dig at Apple last year during the launch of the 2016 Pixel.

Camera

The information about cameras on both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is a little hazy. Both the phones will have what Google is calling, “Pixel Cameras.” Unlike a lot of 2017 flagships, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have a single camera at the back. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have a Wide Colour Gamut and Google Imaging Chip, as well as Optical Image Stabilisation. Whether OIS will be present in both the cameras is yet to be seen.

What’s Under The Hood?

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have specifications worthy of being 2017 flagships. Both the phones will have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, even though there were rumours of a Snapdragon 836 debuting. The devices will have 4GB of RAM, 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage but, looks like microSD card slot will still be missing. The Pixel will be powered by a 2700 mAh battery while the Pixel 2 XL will be powered by a 3520 mAh battery. As expected, both the phones will run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and will be the first one in line to receive the Android P update in 2018.

Active Edge And Google Assistant

The new Pixel smartphones are also expected to have the Active Edge feature which was first experienced on the HTC U11. This feature allows you to squeeze the frame of your phone to launch an app or trigger an action. It is being said that Active Edge will work closely with Google Assistant this time around to make the experience of using Google’s AI assistant more immersive and interactive.

The launch of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is just a few days away. The leaks will always be leaks and never tell us the whole picture. Stay tuned to iGyaan as we will bring you the full coverage of the event to your screens.

September 29, 2017
Google Pixel 2 And Google Pixel 2 XL Specifications Leaked

The launch of the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is scheduled for October 4th. Android Authority has reported that new leaks reveal the full specifications of the next generation Pixel smartphones and have corroborated the leaks with an internal document.

Google Pixel 2 will have a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 px display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on top of the display for protection. The smartphone will be powered by a 2700 mAh battery and run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. One new addition will be IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and the 3.5mm headphone jack will be a miss on the new Pixel. Making use of the chin and forehead, Google will add dual front firing stereo speakers to the Pixel 2. Another new feature which was rumoured for a while is Active Edge. First experienced in the HTC U11, this feature allows you to squeeze the frame of your phone to launch an app or trigger an action. The device will have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, and 64GB or 128GB onboard storage options.

Purchasing either the Google Pixel 2 or the Pixel 2 XL will give the consumer unlimited Google Cloud storage until 2023, which might be what Google meant in the launch teaser video where it talked about phones running out of storage. The information about cameras on both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL is a little hazy. Both the phones will have what Google is calling, “Pixel Cameras.” Unlike a lot of 2017 flagships, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have single camera at the back. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will have a Wide Colour Gamut and Google Imaging Chip, as well as Optical Image Stabilisation. Whether OIS will be present in both the cameras is yet to be seen.

The GooglePixel 2 XL on the other hand will see a design shift from the other three Pixel models and feature a curved Quad HD screen with thin bezels. The smartphone will be powered by a 3520 mAh battery which is considerably larger than the 2700 mAh battery on the Pixel 2. Just like the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL, both the phone will have the same internals and cameras. This means a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, same 64GB or 128GB onboard storage variants and Android 8.0 Oreo operating system. Active Edge will also be present in the Pixel 2 XL and stereo speakers, albeit not front firing ones.

There is no word on the pricing of both the phones but previous leaks have suggested that the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be priced higher than their predecessors due to a bump in the storage. These are leaks at the end of the day and although the source claims them to be legitimate, you can’t be 100 percent sure until Google lifts the curtain on the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on October 4th.

September 28, 2017
Levi’s Announces Smart Jacket In Association With Google Jacquard
Levi’s has announced the Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard technology that turns this denim jacket into a wearable device. Google says that at the heart of it, the Trucker Jacket is a normal jacket that can be washed and worn any time you want. It just gives you an added functionality of starting or stopping music, getting directions or reading incoming text messages—by simply swiping or tapping the jacket sleeve.

Wearable devices have mostly been confined to the wrists, with smartwatches and fitness trackers. Google Glass came on to the scene but, fizzled out as well. The Snapchat glasses are a trend nowadays but difficult to buy and if you don’t like Snapchat, then those glasses don’t make sense. But, almost everyone wears a jacket, don’t they? This collaboration between Google and Levi’s suggests that the wearable devices market is more than just the smartwatches and fitness bands.

In its blog, Google talks about the Jacquard technology

Google ATAP (Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects group) developed Jacquard—a connected apparel platform that allows fashion designers and apparel manufacturers to integrate connectivity and interactivity into clothes. And the first product that incorporates Jacquard—the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket—will go on sale Wednesday.

The gesture-sensing Jacquard Threads are woven into the cuff and wirelessly connected to your mobile phone using tiny electronics embedded inside the sleeve and a flexible snap tag. The snap tag also notifies you about incoming phone calls or text messages¹ with light and haptic feedback. The gestures on the jacket cuff are fully re-configurable, using the Jacquard app you can assign gestures to invoke different digital “abilities” :
- Play or pause your music, skip to the next track, or ask what song is playing.
- Get the next direction, ETA, or the current time.
- Receive updates on incoming call or texts with an LED light and a vibration on your sleeve, and have the text message read to you.
The smart jacket goes on sale in the United States on 27th September in select Levi’s stores and within a week, it will be available online at www.levi.com.
September 26, 2017
HTC Is Working On U11 Plus, May Launch In November

Google and HTC announced a cooperative agreement on 21st September worth US$1.1 billion. According to the deal, HTC smartphone division personnel will start working for Google, giving it control over the hardware as well for upcoming Pixel devices. The statement released by both the companies revealed that the HTC U11 won;t be the last Android flagship by HTC, and iGyaan reported that a new flagship will be released in 2018. Now, a new report by GSM Arena from France reveals that HTC is working on HTC U11 Plus and may launch it in China on November 11.

There isn’t much known about the phone yet. The upcoming HTC U11 Plus will have a codename, Ocean Master. The device is expected have a 5.99-inch 2880 x 1440 px display translating to an 18:9 aspect ratio. The phone will have minimal bezels and look more like a new-age flagship device. Like the HTC U11, the Plus variant of the phone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset. The HTC U11 Plus is expected to come in two variants – one with 4GBR RAM/64GB storage and second variant which will be a top end version will come with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

The smartphone is expected to have a 12MP rear-mounted camera. On the front, the U11 Plus is expected to have an 8MP sensor. HTC will not jump the dual-camera bandwagon just yet and continue with a single camera at the back just like the U11. The U11 Plus is also expected to be IP68 certified water and dust resistant. It is also said to support Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 and also include the HTC U11 Active Edge feature.

The new phone, whenever it does get launched, might one of the last few smartphones HTC makes as a complete smartphone division takeover by Google seems inevitable.

September 22, 2017
Despite The Billion-Dollar Deal With Google, There Will Be Another HTC Flagship Device

Google and HTC announced a Cooperative Agreement worth US$1.1 billion wherein HTC’s smartphone engineers will work for Google once the transaction is completed. While more details about the deal will be disclosed in the days to come, the press release promptly answered one question everybody had on their minds – Will there be more HTC Android phones? The answer is, yes there will be.

This agreement also supports HTC’s continued branded smartphone strategy, enabling a more streamlined product portfolio, greater operational efficiency and financial flexibility. HTC will continue to have best-in-class engineering talent, which is currently working on the next flagship phone, following the successful launch of the HTC U11 earlier this year.

What the statement means is that HTC will now focus on its most profitable product, which is the flagship smartphones. The HTC U11, though, not the most successful flagship of 2017, still received great reviews and HTC will benefit a lot if it manages to improve on the U11 and come up with a better flagship in 2018. Greater financial operational efficiency and financial flexibility refer to the deal. HTC has been incurring losses for a long time now and with most of its smartphone department personnel now moving to Google’s payroll and the US$1.1 billion from the deal, the company will definitely have more financial resources now to work with.

Considering HTC’s flailing sales numbers and decreasing popularity in the smartphone market, a full-fledged takeover of its smartphone division by Google might be on the periphery. And giving up on the smartphone market and concentrating all its energies on making the Vive VR platform a global success might be the best way forward for the Taiwan-based tech company, HTC. With Google now taking control over the hardware for its upcoming smartphones and companies like Samsung and Apple miles ahead in the smartphone game, the 2018 flagship device by HTC might as well be their last one.

September 22, 2017
Google Announces Moto X4 Android One Edition

Earlier in September there as a leak of an Android One branded Moto X4, and now, Google has officially announced the new smartphone. The Moto X4 Android One for Project Fi is available only in the United States as of now and is priced at US$399 (Rs. 25800 approx.). The device can be pre-ordered from the Project Fi website right now and is available in Super Black and Sterling Blue colours.

Android One is Google’s project to provide pure Android OS experience and timely software updates to smartphones. In a blog post, Google said:

Like all Android One phones, Android One Moto X4 runs a pure Android experience, with a clean software design and a carefully curated set of preinstalled apps to give you just what you need. For example, it comes optimized for the Google Assistant to help you get more done, and offers high-quality video calling with Google Duo. You’ll also get access to the latest updates from Android, such as Android Oreo before the end of the year. Android One moto x⁴ will be among the first to receive an upgrade to Android P.

Project Fi is a Google-run network service is a customizable package that switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It eradicates boundaries and gives customers the freedom to use the network in their hometown and during international travels at the same rate.

As far as specifications are concerned, the Moto X4 has a 5.2 inch 1920 x 1080 px IPS LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass on top for protection. The smartphone runs stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat and is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery with TurboCharge capabilities. Motorola recently announced that the Moto X4 will receive an update to Android 8.0 Oreo by the end of the year. The company claims that the 15 mins of charge can give up to 6 hours of talk time. The Moto X4 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, 2.2 GHz octa-core processor and Adreno 508 GPU, along with 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage which can be expanded up to 2TB via microSD card. The phone has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The new smartphone will also feature Alexa, the Amazon AI voice assistant. This isn’t the first time that Alexa has made its way onto a smartphone, the Huawei Mate 9 was the first smartphone to feature the voice assistant. Since then, we have also seen Alexa make its way to the HTC U11.The 4 in Moto X4 signifies that the new smartphone will be able to share the sound with up to 4 devices, thanks to the presence of Bluetooth 5.0.

The Moto X4 has a dual-camera setup at the back. The main camera is a 12MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, and the 8MP secondary camera with an f/2.2 aperture is equipped with a wide-angle lens. The dual-cameras allow users to have depth effect shots, bokeh effect shots, ultra-wide angle shots, and selective focus shots. On the front of the device is a 16MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash. The cameras record 4K videos at 30 FPS.

The regular variant of the Moto X4 will launch in India on 3rd October and the price is expected to be around Rs 25,000.

September 21, 2017
Google and HTC Announce US$1.1 Billion Cooperation Agreement

After several reports that Google will take over HTC’s mobile division, Google has just announced a deal with HTC. In a statement released by the search engine giant, Google, the majority of the personnel working in HTC mobile division will now work for Google in a deal worth US$1.1 billion. Moreover, Google will, “receive a non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property (IP).”

In a statement, Google has said

Google and HTC Corporation today announced a definitive agreement under which certain HTC employees – many of whom are already working with Google to develop Pixel smartphones – will join Google. HTC will receive US$1.1 billion in cash from Google as part of the transaction.

This deal doesn’t mean that HTC will shut shop in its smartphone department. HTC CEO Cher Wang said that this agreement will “ensure continued innovation within our HTC smartphone and Vive virtual reality business.” Google concedes that this deal is a testament “to the decade-long strategic relationship between HTC and Google around the development of premium smartphones.”

The transaction is expected to close by early 2018, subject to regulatory approvals.

This is not the first time that Google has taken charge of the hardware for its smartphone lineup. Six years ago, Google announced a US$12.5 billion buyout of Motorola Mobility. However, after opening a manufacturing plant in the United States, Google decided to sell Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for a fraction of the price it bought Moto for. The takeover made Motorola into an amazing smartphone manufacturer and has continued to thrive in the smartphone industry since then.

HTC’s flailing smartphone share and tumbling sales in the past few years made people talk about a possible takeover by Google of its smartphone department while HTC continues its work in the VR industry. In late August, reports emerged that a deal between Google and HTC will be announced by the end of 2017.

Rick Osterloh (Google) and Cher Wang (HTC)

This move by Google to buy off smartphone personnel from HTC could bring Google closer to achieving the hardware/software synergy that has worked so well for Apple and the iPhone. Although HTC and other Android smartphone makers still use off-the-shelf processors and other components in their handsets, Google snatched one of Apple’s chip architects earlier this year. This could be an attempt to evolve beyond that and design its own chip.

Meanwhile, Google’s two new flagship devices, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are scheduled to be launched on October 4th. The Pixel 2 is made by HTC while the Pixel 2 XL with thin bezels and a tall display is made by LG.

September 21, 2017
New Google Pixelbook, Google Home Mini And Daydream VR Leaked

After the Google Pixel, 2 XL images were leaked, new images of three new products and their details have been leaked before Google hosts a launch event n October 4th. Details about the new Google Pixelbook, Google Home Mini, and the Daydream VR headset have been revealed by Droid Life.

The Google Pixelbook succeeds last year’s Chromebook Pixel. The laptop will be another high-end offering by Google and will be the first iteration that can be folded into a tablet. the Pixelbook will be accompanied by a pressure-sensitive stylus called the Pixebook Pen. No other details about the laptop have been revealed other than the storage variants and their prices. The 128GB base variant will be priced at US$1199 (Rs. 77,200 approx.), while the 256GB and 512GB variants are expected to be priced at US$1399 (Rs. 90,000 approx.), and US$1749 (Rs. 1.12 lakhs approx.) respectively.

The Daydream VR headset will be the second iteration of the wearable product by Google. Just like the Pixebook, no specific details have been revealed by the website. The colour variants, however, have been revealed and the Daydream VR will be available in Charcoal, Fog, and Coral colours. Just like the previous generation, a remote controller can be seen alongside the new generation VR headset in leaked images. The new wearable will reportedly cost US$99 (Rs. 6,400 approx.).

The third product leaked is the Google Homi Mini. The smaller sibling of the Google Home will compete with Amazon Echo Dot and will be powered by the Google Assistant. The smart speaker will be available in Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral colours. The Home Mini will be priced at US$49 (Rs 3200 approx.).

The leaks, as we say, should be taken with a pinch of scepticism. The launch event is just a few days away and the new Pixel devices along with a host of new products will be officially launched on October 4th.

September 20, 2017