Google launches AI-powered Pixel smartphone; will cost Rs 57,000 in India

Google launches AI-powered Pixel smartphone; will cost Rs 57,000 in India

With an aim to lead the world of Smartphones with its artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology, Google on Tuesday launched much-awaited Pixel — a new premium device completely designed by the tech giant with Google Assistant built right-in — at a special event here.

India is among the first six countries where Pixel is being launched. Starting at Rs, 57,000, it will be available for pre-order in India starting October 13 on e-tailer website Flipkart and at over 1,000 plus multi-brand retail stores, including Reliance Digital, Croma and Vijay sales, among others.

The launch also ended the Nexus branding under which the company has always released phones in partnership with other original equipment manufacturers like LG (for Google Nexus 5) and Huawei (for Google Nexus 6P).

Although HTC has manufactured the smartphones, the new device bears Google branding.

With curved sculpted edges and a unibody made up of combination of aerospace grade aluminum and glass, the device comes in two sizes — 5 and 5.5-inch with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protected super AMOLED display. Pixel is available in two — quite black and very silver colours in India.

Pixel is first smartphone with Google Assistant — a built-in AI programme that works as an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator.

With the Google Assistant, users can have a natural conversation with Google to find answers or get things done on the go. Say "Ok Google" or touch and hold the Home button and the Assistant is ready to help.

"Ask it for a brief update on your day or to play a video on YouTube, look up traffic on the way home from work, find photos or when the nearest pharmacy closes. The Assistant can also offer help with what's on-screen in any app. So if your friend texts you to meet up at a new restaurant, you can just say 'navigate there'," the company said in a statement.Read more

Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat for Nexus devices

Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat for Nexus devices

Google on Tuesday announced the launch of Android 7.0Nougat for Nexus devices.

The company said over the next several weeks, the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One) will get an over-the-air software update to Android 7.0 Nougat.

Any devices enrolled in the Android Beta Programme will also receive this final version.

This means the update will miss the Nexus 5 and 7 tablets. The official Google blog also said, “There are many tasty devices coming from our partners running Android Nougat, including the upcoming LG V20, which will be the first new smartphone that ships with Android Nougat, right out of the box.”

According to news reports, the upgrade will be rolled out for devices such as HTC10, HTC One 9A, HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z3.(more)

ALSO READ: Five things you should look forward to in Android N

LG G5: Banking on lights, camera and innovation

LG G5: Banking on lights, camera and innovation

Let's get this straight. LG's latest flagship, the G5 isn't exactly Project Ara. But it is possibly the world's first modular flagship phone. I hadn't received any modules (a release from LG says they would have a camera module, an audio module and a 360° camera module) till the time of going to print, but I was curious about how it performed as a phone.

The metallic G5 is a marked change from its plastic and leather predecessor, the G4. While it feels nice in the hand, I felt its peers have a more premium feel. The G5 sports a unibody design and the phone's "chin" detaches to reveal a removable battery and take in modules; this part doesn't feel flush with the rest of the body. Every time you swap a module, the battery would need to be removed and in turn lead to several reboots. Also, the groove running round the edge felt a bit uncomfortable in sweaty hands.

That said, the power button-cum-fingerprint scanner on the back is extremely intuitive. Gently place your finger on it and the phone unlocks. A caveat: Wet fingers won't work.

Read more.

The great showdown of smartphones in weeks

While a fleet of flagship smartphones are being launched in the yearly extravaganza of mobile devices at Barcelona, site of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), Indian subsidiaries of major handset makers are gearing for their launches.

Global and Indian smartphone leader Samsung, China’sGionee and Lenovo are preparing to introduce flagship devices within weeks of their global launch at MWC 2016 in the past four days. According to sources, others such as Xiaomi, LG and Intex are no less behind.