SAN FRANCISCO — It’s a big day for Google.
Looking to drum up consumer excitement, the tech company hosted an event San Francisco on Tuesday to unveil a series of products, including two new phones, a virtual reality headset and the Chromecast Ultra.
The flagship announcement was the introduction of Pixel, the first Google phone to carry exclusively Google branding. The company called it the “first phone made by Google inside and out.”
The device is poised to take on the iPhone with a built-in artificially intelligent assistant, 4K video and other bells and whistles.
Here’s a closer look at everything you need to know:
Pixel smartphones
Google announced a new Pixel line of phones — the 5-inch Pixel ($649) and 5.5-inch Pixel XL ($769). The prices are exactly the same as the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus.
The devices boast 4GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, a fingerprint sensor and a 12MP rear-facing camera.
The phones drop its existing Nexus branding in favor of “Pixel,” a nod to Google’s existing tablet and Chromebook line. Both run on Android 7.1 Nougat, Google’s most recent mobile operating system.
The devices come with a built-in AI assistant, Google Assistant. The company demonstrated how the AI software can make a reservation for you right from the device and complete other tasks.
Pixel has a pretty sweet perk for photo fans, too: Users will get free unlimited storage of photos and videos — something Apple would be wise to consider in the future.
The devices, which are available for pre-sale starting on Tuesday, come in three colors: quite black, very silver and really blue.
Chromecast Ultra
Google is launching its next-generation content streaming device called Chromecast Ultra. The gadget, which has sold 30 million units to date, supports 4K streaming. Chromecast Ultra will be available for $69 this fall.
Google’s popular Chromecast device plugs into your TV through an HDMI port and can stream content from your computer or mobile device.
Daydream
Google showed off its new virtual reality headset for mobile devices, Daydream View. The viewer holds a smartphone and a hand-held remote to control what’s happening on the screen.
The Pixel phones are the first Daydream-ready devices. But there are a lot more on the way from Google’s partners, Google’s Clay Bavor said.
Daydream is launching with over 50 partners and a slew of games. The company is also working with Warner Brothers to bring immersive environments to the device, as well. Daydream will support Netflix, HBO and Hulu.
The soft headset will be available in slate, snow, and crimson colors. It will cost $79 when it launches in November.
Google isn’t necessarily trying to compete with Oculus’ VR hardware ($599) or the HTC Vive ($799). Both of those systems, favored by gamers and early VR adopters, are for immersive VR experiences and require PCs.
Instead, the company is expected to target casual VR consumers who have — or will buy — Android smartphones running Nougat. Its closest competitor could be the Samsung Gear VR headset ($99), built for Samsung Galaxy devices and powered by Oculus.
Google Wi-Fi
Google also announced Google WiFi, a router and manager that adjusts your internet connection at home. It automatically finds the strongest Wi-Fi point if you move around in your home. It also comes with an app, so you can — for example — turn the Wi-Fi off for your kids when it’s time for dinner.
Google Home
We got a sneak peek at Google Home — Google’s voice-controlled smart speaker — back in May, but Google shared more details about the gadget.
To start, the device is priced at $129 — about $50 cheaper than the Amazon Echo. The device, which is available for pre-order in the U.S. now, will launch with a free six-month trial of YouTube Red.
Google Home pulls from the 70 billion facts the company has logged throughout the years. To activate Google Home, you’ll need to say “OK, Google” — the same keyword that activates Google Now on Android.
It comes loaded with Google Assistant — the company’s software system that searches for answers, schedules meetings, adjusts your calendar and controls smart home devices such as Philips Hue lights and Nest thermostats (both companies are launch partners).
