New Google Devices!
Google announced many new devices today!
Google Nexus 5X and 6P.
Updated Google Chromecast.
New Google Chromecast Audio.
New Tablet Pixel C.
The updated Nexus phone include traditional updates: processor, USB-C, better camera. The most important addition is definitely the fingerprint reader. But it's on the back which I think is very awkward particularly when using the phone when place on a surface. Nothing to write home about really. It's better than last year's disappointing Nexus 6 at cheaper prices. Google is also offering a similar insurance program to AppleCare for the Nexus phone devices ($79 deductible).
Chromecast has updated hardware and software. At $35, it's still a great deal with better wireless antennas. And the software makes the experience even more user-friendly with an updated app which essentially becomes a hub for multiple media services. Too bad it does not support 4k resolution though.
The brand new Chromecast Audio is another $35 device. In simple terms, it makes any speaker (using 3.5mm, optical audio, or RCA inputs) into wireless speakers. Multiple Chromecast Audio devices will allow you to play music through multiple speaker systems. This could include being able to play music throughout your house. The Chromecast Audio could be a much cheaper solution to a household-wide speaker system than SONOS.
The final product revealed was the Pixel C, Google's newest Android Tablet. It's odd that this tablet is running Android and not Chrome OS. Starting at $500 (plus $150 for the keyboard), it's competition is the Microsoft's Surface (and soon, the new iPad Pro). Productivity is the what this tablet aims for, but Android tablet applications are almost exclusively blown up phone applications. These tablet applications don't allow as much productivity as desktop OS applications, even if it is Chrome OS.
The Pixel C looks to be great hardware. The keyboard design seems impressive and comes with induction charging (i.e. charges when the tablet is charging). And with four microphones, it could possibly function similarly to the Amazon Echo; a device you can speak from a distance.
Best news for last, my favorite Google application, Photos, has been updated. Collaborative albums are been added (as I have waited so patiently for the past year or two!). And with name labeling and even more advanced search (what Google does best), it's going to be really difficult for its competition. You'll be able to search for multiple names and related keywords (e.g. hiking and location).