Google is hosting an event in California on Wednesday where it’s unveiling new products. Here’s a look at what’s going down.
Google’s senior vice president of hardware Rick Osterloh kicked off the show with a quick note that the company is introducing its second generation of Google-made hardware. Last year, Google unveiled the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, the Daydream View VR headset and the Google Home. Osterloh said, while he wished Google had more Pixels to sell (they were in short supply) it was well received by Google’s audience for its top-rated camera and hardware.
Isabelle Olsson, the lead designer of Home hardware at Google unveiled the Google Home Mini which, as its name suggests, is a smaller version of the Google Home. It’s more affordable and will compete more closely with the Echo Dot, Amazon’s most affordable Echo. It’s controlled by touch — a simple tap on the top activates it — and Google says the sound quality is “amazing.” It will launch in three colors including coral, chalk and charcoal. It’ll cost $49 in the US.
Google hardware and Nest products will soon work closer together. If you have a Nest camera, for example, and a Chromecast-connected TV, you’ll be able to ask Google Home to show your Nest camera on the TV. This function works with the new Nest Video doorbell.
Google also unveiled a high-end Google Home Max speaker that will take on more premium speakers like Sonos speakers. It includes a “Smart Sound” function powered by artificial intelligence to tweak sound for your environment to make sure audio always sounds as good as possible. Sonos has a similar function. The Google Home Max will also compete with the Apple HomePod, which has Siri built-in, and Amazon’s brand new Echo speakers that include Alexa. Thanks to the built-in Google Assistant, users can ask teh Google Home Max questions or stream millions of songs from YouTube Music, Spotify, Google Play Music and other services. Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone input and more are also supported.
News started to break ahead of the event.
Verizon’s chief marketing officer Diego Scotti confirmed the new Pixel 2 phones will be exclusive to Verizon, as the Pixel and Pixel XL were last year.
Additionally, images of the phone have already surfaced in the Google Play Store.
You can follow along live with Google’s YouTube livestream here.
This story is developing, please check back for updates.
Source: Tech CNBC
Google is announcing new phones and other products right now — here's a rundown