Google’s new line-up is ‘radically helpful’

Hot on the heels of Apples big unveil comes Googles big splash with a lot of new hardware that it has labelled Radically Helpful

Updated At : 06:43 AM Oct 07, 2017 IST

pretty promise: The products follow a similar design language

Vaibhav Sharma

Hot on the heels of Apple’s big unveil comes Google’s big splash with a lot of new hardware that it has labelled ‘Radically Helpful’. At its annual Pixel event on October 4, the company introduced the second generation of Google-made products: new Pixel phones, Google Home Mini and Max, Pixelbook, Google Clips hands-free camera, Bluetooth headphones called Google Pixel Buds, and an updated Daydream View headset.

Pixel phones

The Pixel and its XL variant were probably the best Android phones you could buy this year, and Google is keen on continuing that trend with Pixel 2. Following a similar design language with a part glass back, but slightly narrower bezels, the new devices come in 5” and 6” configurations with the internals receiving the customary spec bump. The camera continues to be the marquee feature, and despite sticking to a single lens system, the new phones will boast a ‘portrait mode’. Google believes that hardware differentiation between manufacturers is levelling out and the next advancements will come through a mix of artificial intelligence, hardware and software. The portrait mode seems to be a clear demonstration of the company’s prowess in machine learning as well and is remarkable considering that even Apple decided to go with a two-lens system to achieve the coveted bokeh effect. The Pixel 2 goes on sale November 1 at Rs 61,000 (64GB) and Rs 70,000 (128GB), whereas Pixel 2 XL will be sold starting November 15 at Rs 73,000 (64 GB) and at RS 82,000 for the 128GB version.

Google Home Mini and Max

Powered by the smart Assistant, these speakers are competition to Amazon Echo and Apple’s upcoming HomePod. The Mini can play music, but is more focussed on being a great voice assistant that serves as an alarm clock in the bedroom, a recipe book in the kitchen, and a fun encyclopaedia in the living room. It can recognise the voice of each individual at home, and offer personalised information tailored exclusively for that person e.g. looking up the calendar.

The Max can do all that, but also aims to be a serious music player directly competing with the HomePod that only works at its best with Apple’s devices. It is priced at $400 (around Rs 26,000), while the Mini is $49 (around Rs 3,200) .

Pixelbook

The all-new Pixelbook was long due. It is 10.3mm thin, super light (1.1 kg) 4-in-1 convertible that comes with Intel’s 7th gen chips. While the jury is still out on the usefulness of Chrome OS, the fact that it supports all Android apps is a plus. Google is marketing it as a premium laptop that starts at $999 (Rs 65,000).