Google challenges Apple with the launch of its two new Nexus smartphones at a grand event in San Francisco on Sep 29, Tuesday, including their Chromecast audio and the improved version of Chromecast video streaming device.
While the search engine giant is trying its hands on enlarged screens this time, the Chromecast devices add to the competition with their improved features and Android Marshmallow.
According to USA Today, the event was marked with the appearance of Google's freshly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai. The launch of the new products comes in the wake of Apple unveiling their latest versions of iPhone, iPad and Apple TV along with the holiday season knocking at the door.
Following the success of Nexus 5, Google introduced the updated version of Nexus 5X manufactured by LG which surprisingly weighs as light as just 136 grams and offers a 5.2-inch screen dimension. On the other hand, the Huawei-manufactured Nexus 6P includes a display of 5.7-inch with a full-metal body.
While the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are the first to be sold with Android Marshmallow, they also boast additional features such as, an advanced Nexus camera; Android's virtual assistant Google Now and updated fingerprint scanners.
Besides the upgraded camera and the video with 4K facility, what's unique about the new Nexus smartphones are is the Android sensor hub. David Burke, Vice President of Android engineering says "takes literally just a couple of seconds" to get started with the fingerprint feature with the help of the Android sensor hub, and the scanner then takes just a few hundred milliseconds to identify the fingerprint.
According to the company officials, the Nexus 5X is tagged at $379 and Nexus 6P at $499. Both the new Nexus smartphones are can now be pre-ordered in the Google outlets across United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and The United States.
Furthermore, the Chromecast devices have got a makeover with more flattened appearance and a circular layout. Along with an integrated HDMI cable it also offers the facility to play mobile phone games on a television screen. The $35 Chromecast audio on the other hand not only connects to the prevailing speakers, but also streams music from the cloud.
Among other offerings, Google also unveiled a family plan for their Google Music at $14.00 per month which allows upto six users to share an account targeting Apple's latest offering in Apple Music, new features for Google Photos with the ability to share albums, tag users and easy tracking of crucial memories.
Google finished the event with a teaser on its new tablet, Pixel C offered at a price of $499 along with a $149 keyboard that can be attached to it which they said will be available around the holidays, ABC News reported.