Google: Launch of New Pixel Phones Marks Shift to Artificial Intelligence

Google Assistant, the company’s voice-activated answer to Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, is central to all the new products, presenting a vision of an ecosystem driving a wide assortment of new hardware products.

But they’re clearly hoping that the new Pixel phones will be distinguished by their use of Google’s software. It will cost US$129 (NZ$179) for a single router and US$299 (NZ$415) for a three-pack.

The major launches suggest Google is trying to turn around its hardware fortunes after the shelving of its vaunted modular smartphone Project Ara and, prior to that, Google Glass. “As a result, the user’s propensity to purchase products and services using VPA systems should increase, transactional friction could be reduced and the overall user experience would be improved”. For the time being, this feature will be limited to the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. It’s available in the USA tor $129. It might not seem too different to the pre-existing “Now” personal assistant, but the idea is the new helper will adapt to how a user interacts with it, building on the user’s personal information. However, both companies are keen on promoting their in-house music services, not their competitors’. (AAPL) by making Android, its mobile phone operating system, free for original equipment manufacturers. Called “Google Home”, the standalone personal assistant responds to users’ voice commands and queries from just about anywhere in a room while simultaneously disguised as a decorative air freshener.

Google also announced a “Daydream View” virtual reality headset, which works with Google phones and will be available in November for US$79, in time for the end-of-year shopping season.

But Google’s plan migh run into problems.

Foster’s role will help kick-start Google’s hardware technology.

Google is opening an event in San Francisco with a prediction that artificial intelligence will play a greater role in our lives. Google Home is also compatible with music streaming services through the built in speaker, and you can let the device know which service you prefer to use.

“The key priority for Google at this state with smartphones is to be able to compete better with Apple”, de Renesse said. Google Assistant made its debut in a chat app called Allo a few weeks ago.

In that sense, Google’s approach is more like Microsoft’s than Apple’s.

Their product announcements don’t have the same flare as Apple, but Google’s rollout of new products Tuesday may shake things up in the industry.

Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh told Reuters in an interview that the new announcements showed hardware was more of a focus at Google.

Analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy said in an email that Google was smart to emphasize the performance of the new smartphone cameras, as “consumers care about this a lot”.

But Google – perhaps knowing that it’s starting a little bit behind – has been sure to hook the Home into Google’s broader suite of services to make the concept of the smart home more affordable. If Google can continue to provide the low-priced, high-intelligence alternative to Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft, in every new area of importance, it can keep its crown no matter what the next big shifts in technology look like.