Google’s 2017 hardware conference debut, this time in addition to the expected Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, it also launched new products covering all aspects of life, and they all revolve around AI as a core concept.
In the opening session, Google CEO Sundar Pichai immediately reviewed the current achievements of Google’s AI development, including identifying house numbers through machine learning images, and using Google Maps to find areas that may have parking spaces in downtown San Francisco, and so on.
And Pichai talked about AutoML, which can automatically build machine learning models. Models that used to be built by artificial intelligence experts can now be automatically generated. It also emphasized Google’s goal of moving first to AI first. The hardware released this year is closely integrated with artificial intelligence and software to provide users with a seamless experience. Pichai also mentioned that 2,000 HTC employees joined Google to develop hardware.
Google Home: The center of the smart home needs to be more beautiful
The Google Home voice assistant speaker will be launched in Japan later this week, and will combine voice recognition to give each family member a personalized response. It now supports more itinerary settings and supports direct calls in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Function. In addition, I will introduce the lightweight version of Google Home Mini that came out a few weeks ago to compete with Amazon. The new design is smaller and combined with fabric material. It comes in three colors of red, black, and gray, at $49 each.
Just like Apple’s launch of the Apple HomePod, Google also launched a true “smart speaker” this time, emphasizing the Google Home Max with excellent bass sound. In terms of sound performance, combined with AI, the optimal compensation can be adjusted according to the space within a few seconds. If there is noise in the surroundings, the volume will be automatically turned up. It can also recognize the user’s voice to play suitable tracks. It can also be used with other Google Home products in the room. Simultaneously create a more atmospheric surround music. Max comes in black and white and is priced at US$399 and offers 12 months of free YouTube Red value-added services.
Pixelbook: Upgraded Chromebook
Google announced this time the upgraded Pixelbook, which also uses ChromeOS that now supports the Play Store, with a minimum 12.3-inch screen, seventh-generation Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage capacity. 10 mm thick and 1 kg weight. You can watch videos in reverse, and the built-in Google Assistant is also equipped with assistant exclusive buttons on the keyboard. If you forget to bring the charger, you can directly charge it directly with the Pixel charger. It can also be used with the Pixelbook Pen stylus to do more screen operations. Pixelbook starts at US$999 depending on the specifications, while the stylus Pixelbook Pen is US$99.
Pixel 2 and XL: dual front speakers plus pressure-sensitive frame
Next, the anticipated highlight of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones will be announced. This time Pixel 2 does not follow the trend of the full-screen front. Although the screen ratio is also high, it leaves room for dual speakers at the top and bottom, which should be in order to bring an immersive experience in line with the key development of AR. The OLED screen also has always-on Always On Display, black background resident time, music player and other information. The side frame of Pixel 2 adds the same pressure-sensitive design as HTC’s new U11. Squeeze the frame to activate shortcuts such as Google Assistant.
Turn on the screen, Pixel’s integrated voice recognition can recognize the song form locally, and then search through Spotify, YouTube and other services to avoid the doubt of directly storing the data in the cloud. At the top of the main screen, there are information such as calendar, transportation, and flights. Google search and the Dock function bar reside at the bottom.
In addition, Pixel will also get the latest Google Lens image recognition update. Google Lens can recognize photos, contact information on flyers, album covers in screenshots, information on sights in front of you, etc., using machine learning to recognize no matter what angle or light. Objects in the picture. Incidentally, in terms of speech, regardless of any accent, the (English) speech recognition rate is as high as 95%, which is even better than that of humans.
Like Apple, Pixel 2 has deepened the AR application once again. In addition to LOL watching and Lego game support, it also launched “AR stickers”, which can add various characters in real-time scenes, and the characters can interact with each other. Maybe there are similar AR applications in different directions with Apple’s Animoji dynamic emoticons.
Pixel 2 also emphasizes a 12-megapixel camera specially designed for AR, f/1.8 aperture and optical anti-shake. Pixel emphasizes that it is the best camera phone with a DxOMARK score of 98, which is a significant improvement from the 89 score that was already excellent last year. Pixel 2 has a new portrait mode. Although it does not have the various post-production studio lighting effects of the new iPhone, Google emphasizes that as long as one lens and machine learning are added, they can achieve the depth of field effect without dual lenses. There is also the HDR technology that Google Camera has always been eye-catching. It will automatically take multiple photos and use the algorithm to superimpose the photos with the largest dynamic range and the best visual effects. Video anti-shake is the crystallization of software and hardware. Google said that mobile phones on the market use either hardware or software methods. In addition to optical anti-shake, Pixel 2 also adds software real-time adjustment to eliminate shaking.
Pixel 2 also has unlimited, up to 4K image quality photos and videos free Google Photos cloud backup, Google mentioned that Pixel users have a particularly large demand for image capacity, and the iCloud backup will be full in about two or three months, so you have to pay for the capacity.
Speaking of the “no” design of Pixel 2, unlike mainstream flagship phones that have added wireless charging, Pixel 2 and Pixel still have not added wireless charging. It was previously stated that the reason is that USB interface charging is faster and more efficient, which saves practicality. Low wireless charging. The Pixel 2 followed up to remove the headphone jack, leaving only a C-Type USB interface. Users can choose USB connector headphones or match the Pixel Buds, a smart wireless headset launched this time.
The Pixel 2 screen is 5 inches, and the minimum 64GB price starts at $649. There are three colors of black, obviously white, and a little blue (Just Black, Clearly White, Kinda Blue), while the 6-inch screen Pixel 2 XL has It is black and black and white. Except for the screen size, the other specifications are the same as the Pixel 2. The price starts at $849.
Google Daydream
Google’s Daydream VR display is known as the best portable VR headset, and the services it supports have grown from dozens of last year to 250 services. The fabric is also added with cloth quality, and has three colors of gray, red and black. The price rose slightly to 99 US dollars.
New products: Pixel Buds wireless headphones and Clips action cameras
Finally, Google released a new series of products, namely wireless headsets that compete with AirPods, and action cameras that combine artificial intelligence.
Adhering to the spirit of hardware combined with artificial intelligence and software, Pixel Buds can complete the operation by touching the right ear part. The most amazing thing is that it can also be combined with Google Translate as an instant interpreter. The presentation site demonstrated how to use the headset to convert Swedish to English. Instant translation, the translation konjac and translation headset introduced by INSIDE are now the enemy. This feature currently supports 40 languages, including Traditional Chinese. With a rechargeable storage box, Pixel Buds can be used for about 24 hours and are priced at $159.
Next is the Google Clips camera, which also combines artificial intelligence, can automatically take pictures and record videos at any time. It has a lightweight appearance and a back clip, which can be placed on the desktop or carried with you, and it can automatically make interesting and worthy pictures into numbers. A 1-3 second very short film, as long as it is on, it can help you decide what to shoot through machine learning. The price is 249 US dollars, but the release date has not been determined.
None of the above products are sold directly in Taiwan. Many of them are only sold in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other regions. Readers who are interested in new products may have to see if they have the opportunity to buy them when traveling in these countries.
INSIDE also edited the highlights of the Google presentation into a 3-minute summary. Interested readers please enjoy the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOFJR90feKo
Further reading:
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