Google Event. The Good and The Bad.
Google held their press event on Tuesday, September 19th in San Francisco announcing many new products such as the Nexus 6P and 5X, the new Chromecast 2, Chromecast Audio, and the Pixel C. They also announced their new Operating System.
Nexus 6P
This was the most anticipated product coming out of Google and is considered the “flagship”. While there are a lot of great features in this new phone some have found minor complaints about the Nexus 6P
5.7 Inches
1440 Resolution
Metal Exterior
Gorilla Glass 4
7.3mm Thick
Snapdragon 810 Processor
Complaint: Users disappointed in this version of Snapdragon
Android 6.0 Marshmallow Operating System
3GB RAM
Complaint: Future is looking at 4GB and some worry this will not be enough RAM
Project Fi (WIFI) Availability
Updated Camera – 8 Megapixel front-facing and 12.3 Megapixel Back facing (4K video and slow-motion shots)
Complaint: There is a camera bump (similar to the iPhone bump) and an “ugly” black bar
Complaint: Does not have optical image stabilization (OIS)
2 Front Facing Speakers
Nexus Imprint – Fingerprint sensor. Used to easily unlock phone and can be used to authorize payments on android pay or the play store.
Larger Battery
USB Type-C port charging – “can charge the device twice as quickly as an iPhone 6 Plus” – The Verge
Complaint: Need to buy new cord.
Complaint: Future is leaning towards the wireless charging. Users disappointed that was not incorporated.
Colors – Frost White, Aluminum, and graphite
Cost – $499
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X is considered the affordable alternative to the Nexus 6P over $100 cheaper. Even that being said it still has a lot of great features but the biggest worry it is not worth the update from their current phone. (ibtimes)
5.2 Inches
1080 Resolution
Gorilla Glass 3
Equipped with Android Marshmallow
Project Fi (Wireless Network) availability
Bigger battery
Nexus Imprint – Fingerprint sensor. Used to easily unlock phone and can be used to authorize payments on android pay or the play store.
USB Type-C port charging – “can charge the device twice as quickly as an iPhone 6 Plus” – The Verge
Complaint: Need to buy new cord.
Complaint: Future is leaning towards the wireless charging. Users disappointed that was not incorporated.
Snapdragon 808 processor – Many like this processor better than Nexus 6P’s Snapdragon 810
12-megapixel camera (4k video)
Cost – $379
Chromecast 2
Chromecast has gotten some updates but luckily the price did not change. A new look along with better Wifi are only a few update. Some features are still yet to come in the next year.
Wifi Updates – Supports 5GHz Wi-Fi and has 2 antennas for better streaming
New Look – A small disc with bendable HDMI arm
Colors – red, yellow, and black
Cost – $35 (no change)
Chromecast App Update – Universal voice search tool – “fast Play” videos google thinks you want to watch – “what’s On” popular content (youtube and Netflix) – adding new apps, showtime, sling TV, NBA, and NHL and Spotify
Only Complaint: Does not support 4k TVs
Chromecast Audio
Google announced a brand new product called Chromecast Audio. A neat way to put life back into your old speakers. You can connect and send music. Many were happy to here Chromecast now supports Spotify. With it’s cute look it seems to be a hit.
Plugs Into Speaker – 3.5mm audio port
OS Support – iOS/Android/Chrome
Supports RCA or optical outputs
Connect and Send Music – Using google play, Pandora, NPR one, Rdio, and Spotify (controlled by phone lock screen and android smartwatch or android and chrome tab)
Cool Look -Looks like a mini vinyl record
Cost – $35
Complaint: Users are concerned with compatibility with speakers.
Pixel C
Top feature of the tablet Pixel C is that fact it is light but solid. The keyboard connects well and feels stable. While there is not a release date Google promises it will be out by the holidays.
10.2 Inch Tablet
Detachable Keyboard
USB Type-C port charging – “can charge the device twice as quickly as an iPhone 6 Plus” – The Verge
Complaint: Need to buy new cord.
Nvidia X1 Processor
Complaint: Users likes Intel Processor and not sure why they switched.
3GB of RAM
Android Marshmallow
Complaint: Users want the Chrome OS. Using a mobile OS limits some of the things that can be done on the tablet.
Cost – $499
Keyboard cost – $149
Complaint: Enter and delete key take time to getting used to placement.
Complaint: No touch pad. Sometimes the touchscreen is not optimal e.i. word documents.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Android’s new ‘M’ operating system is the 6.0 Marshmallow. It comes with some desirable improvements.
Notifications – More consistent
Improves Battery Life
Fine-Grained Privacy Controls
Now on Tap – Google searches and voice interaction in individual apps
Doze – Power-saving mode – shuts down processes when hasn’t been moving or used
Not released to enough phones to have any known complaints
Devices to get Android Marshmallow:
End of 2015 – HTC One M9, One M8
Early 2016 – HTC M9+, HTC E9, HTCME, HTC E8, HTC M8 EYE, HTC Butterfly 3, HTC Desire 826, HTC Desire 820, HTC Desire 815
Samsung has yet to say except their new devices will not be launching with it. – techRepublic
