Google Have Been Busy

Tuesday saw Google release a new smartphone called "Pixel" at a launch event in San Francisco. But it's not designed to work alone.

Rick Osterloh from Google said that they are not just concentrating on hardware or software. Instead, Google believes the future is in artificial intelligence that uses hardware and software in the most effective way.

Google PixelThe new device is expected to have a battery that charges quicker than ever before which will give the device 7 hours of runtime with only a 15 minute charge.

The phone will come in 2 different models. The differences between the two models will be in the screen and battery size. The quick charge feature is great, but how about a 5.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. That's better resolution than a lot of desktop monitors.

Next, the camera. It seems that Google don't like Apple's idea of incorporating two cameras, because the Pixel only has one forward-facing camera and one rear-facing camera. The 12.3 megapixel rear-facing camera supports 4K video and a 8 megapixel front-facing camera will do HD video.

But like I said ... it is not designed to play alone.

The Daydream View is a virtual reality headset that will work with the Pixel. In much the same way that Samsung have produced a VR google product, the Daydream will turn the Pixel into a VR screen.

Google also rolled out "Google Home". It's a voice-controlled home hub device that will communicate with other devices in your home to play music, order things online, create shopping lists etc.

Google Pixel can be pre-ordered in Australia now and should list for about $850AUD.

Daydream should be available in November at about $100AUD and Google Home is available in the Google Store for about $170AUD.