Google Event: #madebygoogle Google themed Wallpaper GET!

Okay Google. Roll the blog.

Is what I'd just easily say and let the Google Assistant get things going, but, we're not at that level just yet.

Today is Oct. 4th and the long awaited Google Event finally came. I did a roll for Apple's event so of course, I'm doing Google as well! Google CEO Sundar Pichai came out and introduced today's event, reminiscing that the venue was once a power station for a chocolate factory. Best setting to unveil sweet things like Android and the host of Google products that were prepared. Google presented quite a bit of new gadgets today, and I'll try to make it concise if you don't want to sit through the entire event. But it will be a bit lengthy.

Google Assistant

We've seen the Google Assistant in Allo and it's the only reason I keep opening the app. With use, I've noticed that the tech runs pretty well, including understanding 90% of what I say (English). Something a lot of humans still can't seem to do (I don't know why, I try...). They've gone beyond. The goal here is to build "A personal Google for every user." And indeed, as MKB said, AI is the way.

There are key elements working in the assistant.

Knowledge Graph - Google says its storage of information is at a quantity of (about) 17 billion facts,

which the assistant can pull up/from when requested.

Natural Language Processing - Incorporating what Google calls "Machine Translation", Assistant, and Translate in general, has a new way of understanding, and translating languages to the point where it is nearly as good as human, professional translation. Try translating something from Chinese for example, it's been using the new software for a while now.

Text to Speech - This has also been improved. There are even plans to differ dialect and emotions in users' voices.

Image Recognition - Like Text to Speech, improved. The examples given are the abilities to go from saying "This is a train sitting on train tracks." to "This is a blue and yellow train sitting on train tracks." The ability to count subjects in the image, as well as identify more clearly elements of images.

Most of these I expect to be introduced and improved over time.

Assistant is coming to mobile and home soon.

Google Pixel

Yesterday, information about the new devices were leaked and, let's just say the bathroom did not lie.

"(The) Next level of innovation is Hardware and Software with AI at the center."

This is something Steve Jobs has championed and said for years. That's a fact. This is also what the Nexus line has always been about, more or less. However Google has gone even further this time.

The Google Pixel is made by Google with Google at Google. What I'm saying is, it's not a Nexus, which are made in co-operation with Google. No. The Pixel is MADE BY Google. It is the first phone with the Google Assistant built in. Designed to be "simple and smart" Pixel uses the Google Cloud to never run out of photo space and let people talk to each other much more easily. Yes, that is pretty much what was stated.

The Pixel is said to have a "terrific photography experience." And it must be true.

DXO Mark gave this device, the highest ever mobile camera rating, triumphing even that of the iPhone 7 and the Galaxy S7 with a rating of 89.

Camera

Pixel rocks a 12.3 MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture. It comes with a few features like Smart Burst, which is used to capture "just the right moment" by longpressing (reminds me of Apple's force touch a bit). By doing so, you can select the best picture out of what was caught in Smart Burst.
HDR+ looks promising for capturing beautiful, vivid pictures. The camera uses this by default, taking multiple, short exposures with 0 shutter lag and processes this all twice as fast (as the usual I believe). What's more, they've added better visualization which looks absolutely amazing on (formerly) shaky videos.

Sample image (Screenshot)

See end of post for more images

And to boot, Google is giving FREE, unlimited storage for photos and videos at FULL resolution (yes, even 4K) for Pixel devices.

Performance and Specs

It is said that the Pixel can get up to 7 hrs on 15 minutes of charge! It even works to install (OS) updates in the background so that the phone is already updated by the next time you reboot. 24/7 live customer service is included with Pixel, plus a screen sharing option to let the servicing rep see what you see.

Pixel Specs

The Google Pixel comes in a 5" and 5.5" display. Both carrying the same specs, both fully VR capable, and available in 3* colors, Quite Black, Very Silver, and Really Blue* (limited). (see more images at end of post)

And Google is making a call to all iOS users by supplying them with a quick switch adapter to port everything over to their new Android device. And yes, it does have a 3.5 mm jack.

The Google Pixel prices at $649. Check out the Google Store for more information or head over to MadebyGoogle to pre-order it today!

Daydream VR

Well, even Google is getting more and more into the VR movement. To be fair, they have been involved with Cardboard and I'd even throw Glass into it. Now, they've evolved.

It is said that it works just fine with eye glasses, so my bespectacled beauties (and friends) do not be alarmed! The design was achieved by studying what people wear, not tech. Working wirelessly with the a phone, it connects and gets the experience set up for users. In simpler terms, wireless hocus-pocus. I just wonder, will my Nexus 6 fit? Will big phones have any issues with this? But considering the pixel has a 5.5" variant, I take it there should be no worries.
Daydream View works with other VR ready phones and uses the remote control, which can be stored inside of the visor, like a Wii remote to play games and interact.

Interacting with constellations in Star Chart

You'll be able to do other things with mobile VR such as VR journalism (Good work NY Times), YouTube, and Sheep view. Wait.. Yes. Sheep view. At least in Faroe Islands Street View! (see end of post for sheep images)

Dyadream View will be available in November for $79.

Google Home

Google Wi-Fi

Yes, there is more. This is Google we're talking about. Unloading a ton of stuff in 1 and a half hours or so. and this smart, Google Wi-Fi is just another addition. This device is practically a glorified router, but that's a way too simple way to call it. While multiple of these in your house can keep your signal strong all throughout, they are also really intelligent. Besides switching to the strongest one for the moment, they can also be used (via another device of course) to manage your children's (and, well anyone else's) Wi-Fi usage. Like, pausing their playbacks on YouTube to get them to the dinner table Google's example).

Model showing Wi-Fi's signal distribution use

Nifty to use for a proper signal boost, especially in large houses.

Available in December and for pre-order in November. Google Wi-Fi is priced at $129 for a single pack, or a more generous $299 for a 3-pack (this is better).

Chromecast

With 30 million units sold Google has upped their Chromecast game. Chromecast Ultra now brings everything Chromecast "2" built up, and added better quality. Yes, 4K + HDR and Dolby Vision support. It is now 1.8x faster and has built in Ethernet support. And don't worry, Google Play Movies will be receiving 4K content in November this year so you can enjoy these new capabilities to the fullest with your favorite shows and movies.

Chromecast Ultra will be available in November at $69.

Google Home

Final Stretch. Google home is the future. It reminds me of Smart House and it's real. It lets you:

1. Enjoy Music

2. Get answers from Google

3. Manage everyday tasks

4. Control Devices at Home

It is the home hub for everything Google. Armed with voice control and a capacitive touch interface should voice recognition malfunction, it is smart enough to recognize what you request of it in an interesting way. Again to their example (which you can choose to take with a grain of salt if you want), a command like "Okay Google. Play that Shakira song from Zootopia." would get you "Try Everything" and play that to your heart's content. The device is also said to be able to learn better voice recognition and filter out background noise.

Working with NEST, SmartThings (Samsung), IFTTT, and Philips, it truly connects to the home fulfilling requests such as turning on/off lights. Chromecast can also be controlled via Home and have it play audio on multiple Home devices synchronously - which means anime OSTs in the bathroom, the living room, the basement, and your room all at once so you never miss a single track. And even if there are multiple devices in one room, its the one that hears you the best that responds to your requests. Now that's smart! The best part of this all. It can even flip a coin and call heads or tails (I was saving this)!

Google Home prices at $129 and offers a free 6 month trial of YouTube Red. It is customizable in 6 color bases of fabric and metal.

Google just offloaded a ton of info today with their new, amazing line of Hardware built for Software. It is truly impressive, and I hope it all holds up to the hype when it all releases later this year, bit by bit. By now, I'd say that Google is leading, and has been leading the way into the future. It's sort of crazy and exciting just thinking that these kinds things are actually (finally) coming to be. There's much to be seen and I can tell that Google is just getting started. So long as they hold on to "Don't be evil" I'll give it a thumbs up.

What is your favorite product displayed today? Leave a comment to let me know! For me, It's between Pixel and Home. But mostly Pixel.

And so, the free things I promised as usual.

I made this wallpaper to celebrate 18* years of Google last week. It's mind boggling just thinking how far Google has come and just how many things they've whipped up and presented to us over the years. Out of the moment, on the very day I decided to put something together. It's really simple, but I made it to showcase some of Google's biggest applications and projects that we tend to use day to day (sorry, no project Loon or Autonomous Car). Google sure has done a lot of interesting things, and in turn, has usually inspired me, educated me, and given me tools to do a lot of things and better myself. Including this blog which I use to present things (and practice this writing gig). This wallpaper is available in both 4K and 1080HD as usual and yes, it has a QR code on there. I'm not sure how it'll work now since it was linked to something special but hey. Give it a try.
You can find them on DeviantART instead this time

4K ver

1080HD ver

#madebygoogle Event