Google announced new lower-priced smartphones in a bid to push its consumer hardware business, after sales of its existing Pixel line nosedived in the first quarter.
The new smartphones, which the tech giant unveiled at IO developer conference at its headquarters in Mountain View, California on Tuesday, are priced at less than half of the company’s current Pixel smartphones.
Google, which saw its slowest revenue growth in three years in the first quarter, showed off a range of new additions including a much faster Google Assistant, an upgraded operating system, better search results and Google Nest, covering its home products. Google products are available at UAE online shopping sites such as noon.com, amazon.ae and sharafdg.com.
Here The National looks at the new offerings from Google.
A more budget-friendly Pixel
Aiming to invigorate its consumer hardware business - in a sector globally dominated by Apple and Samsung - Google announced two new versions of the Pixel. The Pixel 3a, with a 14.2 centimetre screen, comes in at $399 (Dh1,466) and Pixel 3a XL, with 15.2cm screen, for $479.
Google's price point is much lower than the premium models of its competitors, which can cost upwards of $1,000. In an earnings call last month, Google parent company Alphabet’s chief financial officer Ruth Porat pointed out that industry-wide pressure on high-end phones led to fewer Pixel sales.
Refurbished Android
Android Q is the latest software update for Google's mobile operating system. It will support 5G networks and foldable phone displays recently announced by Samsung and Huawei. Promising better parental controls, faster security updates and new "dark mode" to save battery consumption, Android Q is expected to start arriving to devices from August or September. It will let users find out which apps have access to their location data and also suggest replies while typing in messaging apps.
Google Assistant becomes more alert
Competitor to Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant has become faster and more responsive. Now it will respond nearly 10 times quicker than before, with a fivefold increase to the amount of data it can comprehend. This is possible due to Google’s latest artificial intelligence update and results will be more accurate than before, the firm says.
Nest gets bigger
Google is bringing its home products under the brand "Google Nest" – such as the Nest security alarm and Nest home camera. It has also unveiled a 25.4cm smart device Nest Hub Max that comes with better audio and video quality than previous versions. Users can now also deactivate home devices such as timers and alarms just by saying "stop".
Augmented search results
By the end of this year, Google aims to allow users to get more detailed results from any search. For example, searching the word "robotics" will show results including a timeline of robotics' development, related news stories, podcasts, among other information. It will also add an augmented reality feature where users can see a 3D model of what they search.
