NEXUS, CHROMECAST IN THE SPOTLIGHT
GOOGLE UNVEILS NEW SMARTPHONE, ADDS AUDIO TO STREAMING DEVICE
Google unveiled two new Nexus smartphones running the latest Android mobile operating system and the next generation of its Chromecast streaming device — including an audio device — at a splashy event here last week as the Internet giant makes a play for the screens and the wallets of consumers.
The event kicked off with an appearance from Sundar Pichai, his first presentation since he was named chief executive officer of Google.
The Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X are the first smartphones that will be sold with Android’s “Marshmallow.” They feature updates such as fingerprint scanners, the new Nexus camera and Android’s improved personal assistant, Google Now.
Google unveiled the Nexus 6P, all-metal-body device with a 5.7-inch display, slightly bigger than the iPhone 6 Plus. The Nexus 5X is the successor to the Nexus 5 and is made by LG. It has a 5.2-inch display.
The phones were available for preorder Tuesday. The Nexus 5X starts at $379 and Nexus 6P at $499.
The Nexus line gives Google the opportunity to show off the features of its new Marshmallow Android software, which is rolling out to existing phones this week. Android has 51% of the U.S. smartphone market share and an even greater share outside of the U.S., according to research firm ComScore.
Not everyone was taken with the gleaming new devices.
“Today’s event just reinforced the sense that Google’s hardware strategy remains entirely marginal,” said Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research.
Google also heated up competition in the living room with the latest version of its video streaming device, Chromecast, which features a flatter, circular design. A new companion device, Chromecast Audio, streams music from the cloud.
Both devices go on sale Tuesday for $35 apiece. Spotify is now available on Chromecast and Chromecast Audio.