Google launch event: Pixel 2/2 XL, Pixel Buds, Clips, Home Mini/Max, Pixelbook, Pixelbook Pen

Google launches new hardware & software/AI.

Hardware

• Smart speakers
• Google Home Mini ($50)
• Google Home Max ($400; with Smart Sound (adjusts to positioning in the room), Voice Match (identifies user))
• Laptop
• Google Pixelbook (from $1000, 3 versions; with 12.3 inch touchscreen)
• Smart pen
• Google Pixelbook Pen ($100; for Pixelbook)
• Smartphones
• Google Pixel 2 (5 inch; $650 or 750 for 64 or 128 GB)
• Google Pixel 2 XL (6 inch; $850 or 950 for 64 or 128 GB)
• work with Project Fi, eSIM, Android 8.0 Oreo, Active Edge (squeeze to activate Assistant)
• unlimited free photo/video storage
• Google Lens, Now Playing
• accessories (incl. certification program for 3rd party manufacturers 'made for Google')
• New Daydream View headset ($100)
• currently over 250 apps & games
• AR/VR for Pixel 2/2 XL: AR Stickers, AR apps (Houzz, League of Legends, Lego)
• Headphones
• Google Pixel Buds ($160; wireless)
• Camera
• Google Clips ($250; 8 GB; lightweight hands-free camera, control via app, makes clips, unlimited free storage)

Software/AI

• Google Assistant (on all devices) to add
• choice of voices (choice of 2)
• Family Link (game playing)
• manage home routines
• transactions (starting with 1-800-Flowers, Applebee’s, Panera, Ticketmaster)
• broadcast (to all Google Homes)
• Nest control
• Identification/recognition
• Google Pixelbook Pen: handwriting
• Google Clips: faces
• Google Lens: landmarks, books, music albums, movies, artwork
• Now Playing: songs
• Real-time translation in Google Translate on Pixel: speech

Amazon's expanding CPE portfolio

Amazon's recent launch event brought the following.

Hardware

• Echo Spot (with circular screen, Alexa, front-facing camera, built-in speaker, Bluetooth, audio-out), $130 in US (Dec 17); 2018 in UK, Germany
• New Echo, $100 (with Alexa, Dolby)
• Echo Plus, $150.
• New Amazon Fire TV, $70 in US (dongle; HDMI, 4K, HDR, Alexa Voice Remote, 60 fps, Dolby Atmos)
• Echo Connect, $35 (Alexa accessory, turns Echo device into hands-free speakerphone for existing home phone line (PSTN or VoIP); connects to home phone jack or VoIP adapter & to Echo device over WiFi)
• Echo Buttons, $20 for 2 in US, UK, Germany: device for playing games via Alexa; push to answer; Trivial Pursuit from Hasbr; Sounds Fun with Mike Epps; Buzzer Beater Basketball Trivia with Karl-Anthony Towns; Fourth Down Football Trivia with Philip Rivers; Full Count Baseball Trivia with Buster Posey from Ground Control; Beat the Intro from Musicplode)
• Plans more Alexa Gadgets.
• For all Echo devices: microphone array with second generation far-field technology.

Software & services

• Fire OS 6.0 (based on Android Nougat), first in 4K Fire TV
• Smart Home hub, built into the Echo Plus
• Alexa Calling, in all Echo devices
• Alexa Routines (customisable actions using a single voice command)
• Free outbound calling in US, Canada, Mexico (excl 911)

Milestones

• Alexa reaches 25k 3rd party skills
• 5k employees work on Alexa

The total hardware (CPE) portfolio

• Kindle: e-readers (and a tablet)
• Fire: tablets
• Fire TV: casting devices (STB, console, dongle)
• Dash: ordering devices
• Echo (and Tap): smart speakers
• Alexa Gadgets: Echo Buttons

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