Google Pixel

So the Google Pixel embargo dropped today, and if you haven’t noticed, it’s getting pretty good reviews — including from us. One of the nicer touches that Google added with the Pixel in this writer’s opinion is a wide variety of stock wallpapers to choose from. It seems that the wallpaper picker is pulling some of them from the web, but some others — the ones you see below — are actually found in an APK that ships with the Pixel…

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The cat’s out of the bag, and so are Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL. With the embargo having lifted earlier this morning, pundits from all over the tech world have shared their opinion on the handset, and, as it turns out, it’s a mostly positive one. You can read our own take here — and maybe understand a little better why this is good news for Google…

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We didn’t expect it to come as soon as it did, but Google’s first solely self-branded smartphone, the Google Pixel, is finally here. In light of how mature the smartphone market has become in the last few years, it’s hard for a new phone to stand out as something that takes anything more than a few baby steps forward. This phone isn’t that much different. But what is different is that it isn’t just any Android phone made by one of Google’s partners. This one is Google’s, and that’s special.

It’s special because Google really has made an effort at building a good top-to-bottom user experience. It’s special because Google has made some clear — in some cases major — improvements to its software and how it works with the hardware. It’s special because it has a great camera. It’s special because it’s the first Android phone to ship with the Google Assistant. It’s special because it’s the first Daydream-ready smartphone. It’s special because it’s the best portal to Google’s services, full stop.

But most of all, I think the Pixel is special because it seems to me that Google’s newly-rebirthed smartphone line has a lot of potential. Yes, there are some things that this phone doesn’t have. But what phone doesn’t? Let’s talk about what the Pixel has going for it.

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Google is making some big claims on the camera found on its new Pixel smartphones, and to complement the hardware, Google has added a few new tricks to its camera app on the Pixel. Google Camera v4.2 is found out of the box on the Pixel, and thanks to developers on XDA, a modified version of that new version is available for anyone using a Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P.

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Google’s Pixel is right around the corner for a lot of pre-orderers, and the nitty gritty details surrounding the device just keep trickling in as more and more people get their hands on one. Today, we’re hearing that Hangouts is disabled by default on the Pixel and Pixel XL in favor of Allo and Duo…

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Google’s Pixel event has come and gone. With it, Google introduced its first solely self-branded smartphone, claiming that the Pixel and Pixel XL bring the very best that Google has to offer — for the moment, at least — in both hardware and software. It’s a refreshing move from a company that has traditionally only sold hardware built in partnership with OEMs, and it’s finally a sign that Google wants to take a serious top-to-bottom design approach with its future products.

But what about its other product lines? Google replicated the Android strategy with Android Wear a couple of years ago, and in that case the company has yet to release any Android Wear hardware that has its name on it. The company never even did a “Nexus” Android Wear device to give OEMs an idea of what Android Wear would look like if Google did it themselves. That’s about to change according to recent reports, perhaps as soon as the first quarter of next year…

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Google is making a lot of, let’s say interesting changes in the Pixel smartphone lineup, and that’s caused many in the Android community to raise questions about the device. We already knew the Pixel had an unlocked bootloader, except on Verizon, but many have still questioned if they would be able to root it. Now a Google spokesperson has confirmed that information.

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While most of us are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of our Pixel smartphones in the next week or two, customers in Austrailia already appear to be receiving devices in the mail.

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Samsung’s problem with its Note 7‘s exploding batteries is a tricky one. Not only the recalling of the device itself is likely to leave a significant hole inside of the firm’s pockets, but also the long term effects caused by the brand image’s detriment will undoubtedly represent the gain of someone else. And, as it turns out, Google may be among the first ones in line…

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Just a hair over a week ago, Google announced a boatload of hardware at its dedicated event, but clearly the star of the show was its new Pixel smartphone. It’s actually two devices, the Pixel and Pixel XL, and Google just pushed out two new ads entirely dedicated to them…

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Last week we broke the story that Verizon would be managing system updates for Pixel devices that it sells, and the immediate assumption was that Verizon would delay those updates — not an unreasonable assumption at all based on the carrier’s track record. Now, less than a week later, Verizon has contacted ArsTechnica to state that it won’t be delaying updates. Good right?

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We reported yesterday on why Google decided not to opt for an OIS-enabled camera module in its Pixel smartphones, but much like with its jaw-dropping stills, the “seeing is believing” rule holds true — perhaps even more in this case. And, fortunately enough, some interesting videos are being thrown around on the internet…

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Google’s new Pixel devices are impressive, but at $649 and up, it feels like the company skimped on a couple of things. One of the most puzzling things to skip was in the camera. Despite having “the best camera ever on a smartphone,” it still lacks OIS ─ thankfully, a representative from Google has given us some answers on this…

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Update: Apparently, thanks to a metadata-hunting made by the folks over at Phandroid, it looks like at least some of the shots were in fact edited or processed through apps such as Snapseed or VSCO. This certainly changes the perspective a bit, at least on colors, but does nonetheless not deprive the Pixel phones of their stunning rear-shooter. Thanks, Chris!

There certainly is much hype surrounding the Pixel phones, and while criticism is pouring in aplenty from all corners of the Android world, there is a lot of good that can be said about Google‘s new flagship devices. The camera, for one, definitely seems to be part of it…

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