Category: Google

Google Launches Pixel for US$ 649

Google at their #madebyGoogle event announced the Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. The new smartphones come with the Pixel UI.

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL will be the first phone that comes with Google Assistant out of the box. The Google Assistant comes with their new machine learning AI which sits right on the Pixel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pxIcH_0MH0

DXOmark rates the Google Pixel’s camera at 89 a 3 points above the iPhone 7. The camera on the Pixel is a 12.3 MP camera with f/2.0 aperture and a 1.55 micron pixel size. You get HDR Plus, without any shutter lag and smart bursts which select the best shot.

Google Pixel comes with unlimited online storage for Photos and Videos at full quality. The Pixel phones are the latest to run Android Nougat (version 7.1), the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. Additionally, with Pixel you also get a customer care on call 24/7 with Google via the settings app. You can also share your screen live with the support agents for troubleshooting.

The Pixel will come with a 5 inch display while the Pixel XL comes with a 5.5 inch display. Both have a AMOLED screen. The Pixel and Pixel XL run on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 with 4GB of RAM. The Pixel will get a 2770 mAh battery while the Pixel XL gets a large 3450 mAh battery.

Both phones come with two storage options at 32 GB and 128 GB and three colour options subtle named Quite Black, Very Silver and Really Blue.

Both the Google Pixel and Pixel XL come with USB Type C port, still retaining the 3.5mm headphone jack and the same cameras. Pixel is available for pre-order today in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany and the U.K. — India coming soon with pre orders starting 13th Oct. In India the Pixel will sell on Flipkart, Reliance Digital and Tata Croma stores.

October 4, 2016
Pixel and Pixel XL Leaked by Case Makers

Ahead of the 4th Oct official release for Google Pixel and Pixel XL set to replace the Nexus brand, Case makers are outing accessories for the phones, and renders show us an up-close look at the two phones. The phones which are very identical to the HTC One or iPhone in terms of design language will be available in two sizes. According to leaks the phones will also have a dual material design ; a unibody Aluminium shell with a glass half insert.

Large fingerprint scanners sit in the back of the phones along with a G from the Google Logo. Specs wise both phones are expected to have Snapdragon 820 chipsets, 4 GB of RAM and 12 MP main + 8 MP front cameras. The Pixel XL will offer up a large screen 5.5 inch display with QHD resolution (whereas the Pixel will show up in a 5 inch 1920 x 1080 px size ) and a large battery according to reports. The mindset that Nexus phones are cheap, will also be removed as the Google Pixel phones will not be cheap, but will offer a clean Android experience. The phones are expected to start at a $649 price tag and come in 32 GB and 128 GB storage options.

The Pixel phones were earlier also spotted in the Nest Outdoor camera commercial in the Netherlands.

September 24, 2016
Google to Launch Pixel on Oct. 4 , Phone Leaked Ahead of Launch

The revision to the Google Nexus Phones, the Pixel, is set to launch on Oct 4th 2016, and Alphabet has shared the invite for the same. An interesting taser video of the launch has been put by Google and it shows silhouettes of the handset transforming from a flat line to a smartphone shell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNnCtmyujLA

The event will begin at 9AM in San Francisco according to the company invites. The Pixel and Pixel XL are the two phones that the company is working on launching.

According to rumours the 5-inch model of Pixel smartphone will start from $649, while the Pixel XL will be priced higher. New leaked pictures show that the phones will have a fused metal and plastic chassis, with an aluminium part covering the bottom back. The phones will apparently be made by HTC, but no clear information has leaked on that.

September 20, 2016
Android 7.0 Nougat Will be Releasing On Aug 5 With New Camera App

According to several leaks Aug 5 is the day Google will officially roll out Android 7.0 Nougat to the public, which means it should be hitting all compatible Nexus devices, and a whole lot of other brand devices including HTC and Motorola soon after.

Nexus 5 will remain out of the update loop as Google will proceed to launch the next generation of Nexus handsets later this month.

The new OS update will bring several new apps including a new Camera App which will bring several new features and more manual control of the camera.

Android 7.0 releases next month, with the 8/5 security patch. Sorry Nexus 5 owners, no Nougat for you ?
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 30, 2016

Google may also launch several other apps showcased during Google I/O including Allo

August 1, 2016
Google Wants to Make its Own Watch Too

After reports of the new Google Phone, it seems Google is keen on making a Google Watch too. A new report claims that Google will make two new round smartwatches codenamed; Angelfish and Swordfish.

Angelfish comes with a thickness of 14mm and has a bezel of 43.5mm. Angelfish will have GPS, LTE, and a heart-rate monitor and is designed to be a “standalone” Android Wear device. Swordfish has a single button centered on the right-hand side of the body, bezel of 42mm and a thickness of just 10.6mm.

Moto 360 2nd Gen

The Angelfish device will not support Google’s interchangeable MODE watch bands but, Swordfish will be compatible with MODE bands.

Along with the new devices, some serious updates to Android Wear 2.0 are in the works claims the report. Google may have some new tricks up its sleeve. With a Google phone and a Google Watch, Google may finally be going after Apple.

Source

July 8, 2016
Google May Finally Make a Non Nexus Google Phone

It appears that Google is working on a smartphone called the “Google Phone” which it will launch later this year. According to the Telegraph Google will release a smartphone with tighter controls over “design, manufacturing and software” before the end of the year.

While this might affect partnerships including those with HTC who is supposedly making the Nexus devices this year. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has recently been very vocal over tighter control on design and materials.

It is unknown what the reality of the phone will hold and whether it will be any different from phones from manufacturers like Samsung or Huawei.

Source

June 27, 2016
Government Blocks Google Street View in India

The Indian Government has halted plans from Google to put Indian cities, tourists spots, hills, and rivers in an application in which one can explore through 360-degree, panoramic and street-level images.

According to the security agencies and home ministry, these pictures can be used for planning of terrorist attacks that might ultimately lead to events like those in 2008 that took place in Mumbai.

Street view, which was earlier just launched as a test in the US is now showcasing 360-degree panoramic views to include locations on all seven continents, covering 65 plus countries and has travelled seven million plus miles.

Google has often run into trouble with their Maps platform, in countries that take privacy, including many in the EU. In Germany, homeowners can log into street view and blur their homes.

Google with the Archaeological Survey of India has already added their street view to the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Varanasi river bank, Nalanda University, Mysore Palace, Thanjavur Temple, Chinnaswamy Stadium besides others in partnership with the Archaeological Society of India.

But now, the Government of India has blocked Google from going ahead with Street View due to fear of potential terrorist attacks. However, if the fear of terrorism holds back progress, then terrorism at a certain level has already been achieved.

[poll id=44]

June 10, 2016
Android N : Big Focus on Security : I/O 2016

Android N is the next big update to Android, and while Google already showed off Android N earlier this year. The official announcement focuses on important Security issues and productivity while ensuring better performance.

With the new Vulcan framework, Google will give developers direct access to the GPU and reduce CPU overload.

We have already seen the preview of Android N, and a lot of the features, including multi-window. And new notification customizations.

Those with eligible devices can enroll for the beta updates. Also, if you haven’t already you can submit your name options for the next version of Android.

#NameyMcNameface is the best name for Android N #io16

— iGyaan (@igyaan) May 18, 2016

This year, you can submit a name at https://t.co/BgZf9vwnLB #google #io16 #googleio

— iGyaan (@igyaan) May 18, 2016

May 19, 2016
Allo is Google’s new Messaging App : Google I/O

Allo is Google’s new messaging app, another attempt from the company to take on the massive messaging space.

Featuring a new mode called whisper-shout, which lets you reduce or increase the size of the chat text before sending, Indicating your intent for the message.

The new app uses Google’s intelligent machine learning, to auto-predict replies and reduces typing by several times.

The Google Assistant sits within the messaging app and helps you do things like book movies, or reserve a table using open table. Things for which you would usually need to leave the app.

You can also have a one on one with the Google Assistant, asking questions and playing games with the virtual messaging buddy.

Allo will also include an incognito mode, which will encrypt messages end to end for the users.

May 18, 2016
Google I/O: Google Home and Assistant Launched

Google at Google I/O started today has launched the Google Assistant, merging many Google technologies, including “Okay Google”.

Sundar Pichai showed off the assistant at the Google I/O, with real-time results and a conversationalist response system. The idea is to help in follow up question and to do tasks that you have wanted your virtual assistants to do.

The assistant will work across devices and Google strengths, at home, at work or in the car. A device called Google Home will work as a home management system. The unit will be launched later this year with the customizable bottom. It has a wireless speaker, but it does a lot more than that, as it contains the Google Assistant inbuilt.

It will do basics, like set alarms, make lists and reminders, but will also control various home network devices, like Nest Equipment, lights etc.

Later on you will be able to order groceries or flowers, or even have the living room ready before you reach home, with the right music, lighting, and temprature along with your home delivery food order.

Mixed up with the Google Assistant, serches will allow follow up questions and a single one line conversation with a more natural reply. “Skynet” Anyone?

May 18, 2016
3D Touch Delayed, Android N Launch to Continue Without It

Google has put off implementing an Android variant of Apple’s 3D touch at the launch of their next big OS, Android N. A lot of people were excited about this feature, said to be implemented in Android N, providing support to hardware manufacturers to use 3d touch type functionality throughout Android OS.

Google’s next Nexus phones which are supposedly being manufactured by HTC will come with the hardware capabilities of 3D Touch, however, may not use this feature from the get-go.

According to a report in Recode, insiders in Google said

the feature will not be part of the initial Android N release and will have to wait for a later release of the operating system, most likely as part of a maintenance update to the software.

While this may be a let down to excited patrons, this also confirms that Google is indeed working on a 3D touch Android variant which has been loved by iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users alike.

There are already a few manufacturers that have used pressure-sensitive screens and have a more nimble version of 3D touch support on their phones. Googe has already seeded a pre-release dev beta version of Android N and is currently holding a poll to decide the name of this variant of Android.

May 13, 2016
Google Adds Free Public WiFi to Five More Railway Stations

Google’s aim to provide free public WiFi at 400 railway stations in India is getting closer by five more stations which include Ujjain, Jaipur, Patna, Guwahati and Allahabad railway stations.

Google said it has been deploying the service over the extensive fibre network of Indian Railway’s arm Railtel which provides Internet services as RailWire. A few other stations to get this service soon include Dadar, Bandra Terminus , Churchgate, Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Vashi, Kurla, Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, Borivali and a few others.

The project which aims for 400 stations will achieve 100 stations providing WiFi access for free to 10 Million Indians. Other stations which already have this service include Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Ernakulam Jn, Kacheguda, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai Central.

May 11, 2016
Android Marshmallow is on Only 7.5 Percent Devices

With the launch of the next big Android revision just around the corner, it is disheartening to see that the upgrade cycle of Android is lower than ever. According to Google, Android 6.0 updates have only reached 7.5% devices running the Android OS, and this includes non-Nexus handsets.

In comparison, Android Kitkat and Lolipop have been the most successful for the company with a reach of 32.5% and 35.6% respectively. However, penetration has hugely improved from the 1.2% penetration that Marshmallow had back in February. The large boost is assumed to be from upgrade cycles of companies like Samsung and HTC who recently started to push Android Marshmallow updates.

In comparison 84% iOS devices including iPhones, iPads and iPods are running iOS 9 which almost immediately crossed the 50% penetration.

Android has a far larger fragmentation and the update cycle is controlled by several different manufacturers for their respective cycles. Google is attempting to simplify the upgrades and push for a cleaner and more efficient upgrade capability with Android N which is expected to be released at Google IO.

Source

May 5, 2016
AlphaGo AI Beats Lee Se-dol 3-0 to Win Google DeepMind Challenge Series

The age old question whether Artificial Intelligence will one day take over the world has perhaps been answered. If you’ve been following the internet past few days, you will have heard that Google’s AI AlphaGo has been going one-on-one with 18-time world Go champion Lee Se-dol in a five match DeepMind Challenge Series. Today, in what is a historic victory for AI, AlphaGo beat Lee Se-dol 3-0 to clinch the series. Lee conceded the game after 176 moves.

AlphaGo is a program that was developed by DeepMind, a British AI company acquired by Google two years ago. Go is an ancient Chinese game that has been considered one of the toughest ever for an AI to beat at a world-class level. Go has been one of the most sought after AI challenges for its simplicity and elaborate possibilities.

Lee Se-dol’s loss to the AI three times in a row proved what many had felt unimaginable. Google has proved that AlphaGo is the next level of artificial intelligence. The third game further established the AI’s superiority. It was able to navigate tricky situations known as ko that didn’t come up in the prior two matches.

Now that AlphaGo has beaten Lee in three games, we wait to see if Lee can manage one win in the two games still left to play. If AlphaGo bases its moves on how Lee plays, then this means that the AI has been improving in each game, which would make the next one even harder for Lee to beat.

“I don’t know what to say and I would like to say sorry because I couldn’t show you my better results,” he said. “I think even if I go back I probably cannot defeat AlphaGo, and I think the competition was already settled in the second match.”

He said, “Humans have psychological issues while AlphaGo does not. Nevertheless, I think I will be able to discover AlphaGo’s weak points in the fourth and fifth match.

March 12, 2016
Android N Shown Off By Google in Developer Preview

Google in an unnatural move has made the next upgrade of Android , aka Android N beta for developers. Google writes that the team decided it wanted to release the preview earlier in order to get more feedback from developers earlier in the process and get the final N release into the hands of device manufacturers this summer.

As we look to the next release of Android, N, you’ll notice a few big changes aimed at you as developers: it’s earlier than ever, it’s easier to try and we’re expanding the ways for you to give us feedback. We hope these changes will ensure that you are heard and reflected — that’s what makes Android stronger

Like all beta releases Google claims that this beta edition is a work in progress and you should expect a lot of bugs.

Many new changes are talked about but namely the ability to directly reply to notifications and split screen view for both tablets and phones seems to be the major highlight of this update. You will also get PIP (picture in picture ) for video play like you have seen on Samsung Galaxy devices for a while.

Google will also put major focus on improving performance and battery life by improving features like Doze. Google also claims its aim is to help apps become less memory and resource hungry.

The update can be had today if you are running any of the following devices: Google’s Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Nexus 9 and Pixel C devices. Once you’ve updated your device, Google will also continue to push new updates OTA to it as they are released.

While the percentage of people on Marshmallow is still low, Google has already moved forward with Android N, what the final name will be, is still unknown. (leave your possible ideas below)

Hit the source link in case you want to try out the new Beta, however if it is your main device, we strongly suggest against it.

VIA
Source

March 10, 2016