Google’s lineup of Android smartphones just got a little larger. On October 4, the Mountain View company announced eight new products, including two versions of its next-generation Pixel handset.
Google Assistant
But the Pixel 2 isn’t just another fly-by-night Android handset. It’s powered by Google Assistant, an artificial intelligence (AI) system that learns from your actions.
As explained by TomsGuide, Google Assistant can be accessed on the Pixel 2 by squeezing the phone’s edge. Known as “active edge,” it allows users to access Google Assistant more easily and without saying “Okay, Google.” While Google Assistant was available in the first Pixel smartphone, active edge is an entirely new feature.
With Google Assistant, users can perform a wide range of tasks on the Pixel 2, including searching the Internet, scheduling alarms, make purchases, adjusting device settings and more. Perhaps the most interesting feature of Google Assistant, however, is its ability to have a conversation. Thanks to Google’s human-to-machine learning algorithm, users can have conversations with Assistant.
Pixel 2 Hardware
So, what kind of hardware does the Pixel 2 pack? As previously mentioned, Google is releasing two variations of the device: the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Both handsets feature the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor as well as 4 GB of LPDDR4X random access memory (RAM). They also have a 12.2-megapixel rear-facing camera that supports 4K video at 30 frames per second (FPS).
Both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL feature a waterproof design, which critics have praised. However, the new devices lack a headphone jack, opting to use wireless connection for headphones instead.
The displays, however, differ between the two handsets. The Pixel 2 features a 5-inch AMOLED display with 1920×1080 resolution, whereas the Pixel 2XL features a 6-inch P-OLED display with 2880×1440 resolution.
The Pixel 2 will start at $649, while the XL version will start at $849. They are expected to go on sale later this month.
