Google introduced new products at a virtual press event Wednesday with highlights including Google Pixel 5 And Pixel 4A (with 5G), an updated Chromecast streaming device and a new higher fidelity smart speaker.
Google Pixel 5 And Pixel 4A
The new 5G phones beg consumers to take a good look at the entry level $499 Pixel 4A (with 5G) phone as opposed to the more expensive $699 Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 5 and 4A have virtually the same specs. Except the Pixel 4A has a larger 6.2 inch screen to the 5’s 6 inch. But the Pixel 5 touts a slightly more powerful battery. Pixel 4A has a headphone jack and the Pixel 5 does not. Both come with 128GB of storage.
The flagship Google Pixel 5 is the sequel to last year’s Pixel 4 and 4XL. Difference of Pixel 5 is the access to the new faster, 5G wireless networks. And Pixel 4A with 5G is the update to the Pixel 4A which went on sale during the summer.
Smartphone sales in the US are dominated by Apple and followed by Samsung. Google Pixel sales are small, comparatively, and are positioned to show off the best of Android.
This year, Google will find even tougher competition. Samsung will release a budget version of its Galaxy S20 series with the name FE. This Galaxy S20 series for $699, as opposed to $1,399 for the top-of-the-line model. Beside, Apple is expected to release 4 new editions of the iPhone, starting at under $700 in October. The FE, new iPhones and new Pixel are expected to connect to 5G.
The Chromecast streaming device For TV
The new Chromecast streaming device is updated to take on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. It offers a program menu called “Google TV” and Google search to find shows and movies within the streaming world.
New Chromecast brings a different experience from the old Chromecast. Original Chromecast plugs into the HDMI port on your TV. It allowed consumers to “cast” programming from their phones or tablets to the TV. The new Chromecast can still “cast” like the original version. With the new version, you can use the visual menu or click the Google Assistant on the remote for voice search.
Besides, the new Chromecast supports a slideshow feature to showcase photos uploaded to the Google Photos service on the TV.
Nest Smart Speakers
Joining Amazon, which last year introduced a higher-end audio Alexa speaker, the $199 Echo Studio, answers with Nest Audio, promising better high fidelity with the Google Assistant for $99. Google had introduced a higher-end speaker in 2017, the Google Home Max, with a much higher price tag of $299.
The concept of the speaker is similar to what was pioneered by independent audio company Sonos, which this week sued Google for the second time, alleging patent infringement.
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