Pixelbook, Home speakers and an AI Camera: 5 products Google has unveiled

Moneycontrol News

Tech giant Google unveiled a host of products at one of its largest hardware events in several years, on Wednesday.

The California-based technology giant unveiled latest variants of its flagship smartphone Pixel. The two devices named Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to take ion Apple's iPhone 8, 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S8.

While the highlight was the two new Pixel phones, what made the event larger than other launches was the sheer number of product launched. Google unveiled new earphones, speakers, high-end laptop, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven camera and a revamped Virtual Reality head gear.

These new 'Made by Google' products are expected to rival Amazon's Echo and Apple's HomePod smart speakers amongst other products.

Here's a quick rundown for the products Google unveiled at the 'Made by Google' special event:

Pixel Buds

Google has decided to take on rival Apple directly. Google's new Pixel Buds will compete directly with Apple's AirPods.

The new Pixel Buds are designed to be the best option for people who buy Google phones.

While they are called 'wireless headphones', they are actually neckbuds. They use touch controls and are integrated with Google's 'intelligent assistant'.

The Pixel Buds come in a small cloth-covered case that can be used to recharge them.

Interestingly, the Pixel Buds are priced at USD 159, same as Apple's AirPods.

Great sound, big help and real-time translation. Meet Google Pixel Buds. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/psVUJDQSz7

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 4, 2017

Home Mini and Max

Technology companies are taking the smart speakers space seriously. Google has unveiled Home Mini just days after Amazon introduced the Echo Dot smart speaker.

Just like the Echo Dot, Home Mini is actually 'mini'. Priced at USD 49, the speaker will come in three colours - 'chalk', 'charcoal' and 'coral'.

Similar to the Pixel Buds, Mini is also cloth-covered. While there are no buttons visible, you can control the speaker by simply tapping on it or by saying, "Hey Google".

 

Google also showcased the larger Home Max smart stereo speaker, designed to take on Apple's HomePod and the traditional speakers such as Bose.

The speaker has two 4.5-inch woofers hidden behind a fabric speaker grille which can be replaced. The device comes in two colours - black or white.

It has a 'rubber foot' that allows users to keep it vertically or horizontally. Unlike the Home Mini, Max does have small buttons. However, you can talk to it.

It has a 3.5mm aux jack on the rear side along with a USB-C port. It is priced at USD 399.

Pixelbook

The new Pixelbook is a high-end laptop priced at USD 999 (8GB RAM, 128GB SSD), USD 1,199 (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and USD 1,649 (16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe).

There is also a USD 99 Pixelbook Pen, a stylus that has been designed for this laptop.

This is the first Chromebook in several years. Made of aluminium, the laptop is little thicker than 10mm and weighs around 1100 grams.

It has a 12.3-inch touchscreen and can be used in tablet mode.

Further, it has a seventh-gen Intel Core i5 processor and has dedicated button to activating Google Assistant.

 

Google Clips

Google Clips is a Go-Pro sized camera. But, it does not have a screen. The camera is powered by AI and can click pictures on its own.

Google claims that no picture can leave Clips without the user's direction, to alleviate safety concerns.

It is priced at USD 249 and a release has not been announced yet. Clips literally has a clip on the rear side which can be used to tuck the camera into the jean' pocket. It can also be kept still on flat surfaces.

Besides the pictures that the camera captures automatically, users can use the single shutter button present under the lens to click pictures manually.

You can export the captured clips as motion photos, GIFs, JPEGs, or as movie files.

A hands-free camera that helps snap, save and share like never before. Meet Google Clips. pic.twitter.com/8eJge82W5f

— Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 4, 2017

New Daydream View Headset

The first Daydream VR head gear was released in 2016. Here, Google has revamped it. The Daydream View device has now been made lighter and comes in three colours 'Charcoal', 'Fog' and 'Coral'.

The field of view is now 10 to 15 degrees wider than the previous edition.  The virtual reality head gear is priced at USD 99.

 

Google also showcased a new way to start conversing with Google Assistant. You can simply squeeze the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL devices to start Google Assistant.