ISLAMABAD ( MEDIA REPORT )
Google announced the launch of two new smartphones under its own Pixel brand. The Pixel and Pixel XL phones are available immediately for preorder online at the Google stores in the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and the UK, starting at USD 649, the same price as the base model iPhone 7.
The Pixel phones are the first to be launched with two new Google products: the Daydream virtual-reality (VR) app and Google Assistant. In addition, both are designed to interact with other products launched by the company at the same event: the Daydream VR headset, an updated version of the Chrome cast audiovisual streaming device and Google Home, a voice-controlled entertaiment hub.
The Pixel duo are also the first phones carrying the Google name alone, unlike the Nexus line of devices which were co-branded with the respective OEM partner. The Pixel devices are widely reported to be made by HTC and target a wider public compared to the Nexus line, which were initially aimed at developers. The USD 649 base price compares to a launch price of USD 379 for the base-model Nexus 5x a year ago.
The Pixel phones have an aluminium uni body design with a glass panel partially covering the rear of the devices. They come with a choice of 5- and 5.5-inch amoled screens and run the latest Android OS, 7.1. The devices are powered by the top Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, the quad-core 821, and have 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and a choice of 32 or 128 GB internal storage. The larger phone has a 3,450 mAh battery while the smaller model has one of 2,770 mAh. Three colours are available – black, silver and blue.
The devices feature a 12.3 megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, large, 1.55 μm pixels, f2.0 aperture and no lens hump. Google claimed that photography website DxOMark rates the Pixel phones’ camera at 89, its highest ever score, compared to 86 for the iPhone 7, and that the devices have the fastest image capture time on the market.
Both phones have a USB-C charging port, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and a 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as Bluetooth 4.2 capability.
Pixel phone buyers will be offered free unlimited cloud storage for images at their original resolution, including including 4k video as well as built-in 24/7 live customer care featuring a live screen share option for resolving problems. They can also design a customised case and wallpaper for their phone with a photo or artwork of their choice, with Google’s Live Cases option.
A new Google Duo video calling app is also pre-installed, which gives a live stream of the caller’s face before the connection is accepted.
As well as being sold via Google’s own online store, the Pixel phones will be available from various carriers and retailers worldwide and will initially be exclusive to Verizon in the US. Verizon offers the phones on 24-month intallment contracts starting from USD 27.08 per month. Customers pre-ordering the phones in the US are also offered for a limited time a free Daydream View.
Courtesy…Telecompaper