Google shows off new phones, speakers, tablet
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Although the Pixels have barely made a dent in the market since their release two years ago, Google uses them to highlight what it considers to be the best features of its Android operating system. A previously announced feature in which software will call businesses to make appointments and restaurant reservations for you will debut on the Pixel first, for instance — initially in the Bay Area, New York, Atlanta and Phoenix.
IDC analyst Ramon Llamas said the Pixel 3 doesn’t break new ground on hardware, but “software is a different story. It’s mostly about convenience here.”
As usual, the Pixel phones focus heavily on Google’s search engine, maps, digital assistant and YouTube video service.
Google has sold an estimated 7 million Pixels over the past two years, almost imperceptible next to the 3.6 billion phones shipped during that time, according to IDC. Apple alone sold 388 million iPhones during the same period.
Tuesday’s announcements come a day after Google disclosed a flaw that could have exposed personal information of up to 500,000 users of its Plus social network. Google declined to address that further Tuesday, though executives emphasized privacy and security throughout the event in New York.
For instance, the camera’s features for better shots will take advantage of software on the device itself, so that nothing gets sent to Google’s servers — unless you enable a backup feature with Google Photos. The Pixel 3 will have a new chip, called Titan, to store keys to the most sensitive information, including those needed to unlock the phone and unscramble stored data. Many other phones already have similar hardware for security.
Google also showed off its Home Hub, which couples a small display screen with an internetconnected speaker. That’s similar to Amazon’s Echo Show and a new Facebook device called Portal. In another apparent nod to privacy concerns, Google didn’t put a camera on its Home Hub like Amazon and Facebook did with their respective devices to enable video calls.
Again, Google is attacking its rivals on price. The Home Hub will sell for $149 when it comes to stores Oct. 22. The new version of the Echo Show starts at $229, while the least expensive Facebook Portal sells for $199.
There’s also an upcoming tablet featuring Google’s home-grown Chrome OS system. It will run Android apps, but offer functions more like a desktop. The Pixel Slate starts at $599; a keyboard costs $199 more and a stylus lists at $99.