Although Google new flagship is eyeing Apple’s $400 billion iPhone market, Samsung could be caught in the crossfire, according to industry analysts.
With Google’s announcement of its new flagship “Pixel” smartphone along with a slew of new consumer electronic products for the smart home, the electronic giant has rooted itself squarely in the hardware business and has posed a challenge to Apple’s $400 billion global smartphone business.
Google’s list of new product announcements, include its flagship Pixel smartphone priced at $649, “Home” its smart speaker for the living room, a VR headset and a WiFi router.
In a crystal clear sign to its competitors, Google has let it be known that it intends on competing head-to-head with them using its Android operating system.
Google’s executives have stated that they are striving for a tighter fit between the hardware and its software.
“The thinking is that if we can work on hardware and software together, we can innovate much better,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s hardware chief while citing a recent reorganization that united once-disparate hardware teams.
Under the new streamlined structure, Google has opted for a tighter integrated approach to its supply chain management and design, said Mario Queiroz, Google’s VP of product management.
“The learnings from one product are benefiting another product,” said Queiroz.
Unlike its predecessors, the Pixel will be designed and developed by Google from scratch. HTC will however serve as its contract manufacturer.
Exclusive partnership
Just like Apple’s launch of the original iPhone, Google too has said the Pixel will be launched exclusively with Verizon Communications Inc. in the United States. This is significant because this exclusive partnership provides it unprecedented control over the look and functioning of the phone.
With the news hitting the market, Apple’s shares closed lower by 0.3%.
The Pixel will come in 2 sizes, with the distinguishing feature being the high-end camera. It will also be launched in 3 colours – Blue, Silver and black. 15 minutes of charging will be sufficient for 7 hours of usage.
Pre-orders have begun yesterday.
“Aside from the camera, the new Google Pixels are pretty undifferentiated compared to Samsung and iPhone seventh generation phones,” said Patrick Moorhead, an industry analyst.
While the Pixel is clearly aimed at the iPhone market, analysts opine that Samsung is the one who could be majorly affected once the Pixel takes off.
Google’s equivalent to Siri
This launch is not just about Google’s hardware, it’s also about Google’s much touted voice activated Assistant that makes extensive use of artificial intelligence to help you find answers. Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri will now face serious competition.
Google has positioned its Assistant as the central feature into its family of integrated hardware and software products.
Google is recognised as the leader in artificial intelligence.
VR Headset
With its “Daydream View” virtual reality headset, Google has broken into the VR headset market and has posed a challenge to Facebook owned Oculus.
Not only is its device much cheaper and simple, it integrates effortlessly with most Android phones.
Its VR headset will be available for a cool $79, just in time for the holiday shopping season.
Smart “Home” Speaker
Like its VR headset, the Home speaker will also be available in November for $129. It will include a 6 months ad-free trial for YouTube.
With this launch, Google has also unveiled a new version of Chromecast digital media player and its router dubbed Google Wifi.
Being Google products, they all sport minimalist design, are sleek and tastefully designed.
“These look like products from a single company,” said Queiroz.
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