Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL announced along with Pixel Buds, Nest Mini and more: Price, specs and all you need to know

After numerous leaks, renders and reports, Google has finally made its Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphone official. As expected, the new Google handsets are all about the upgraded camera setup, the new Soli radar chip and the 90Hz display. As always, the company had an elaborate presentation ready, for explaining and highlighting every notable feature of the new phones. Alongside the new Pixel 4 series of handsets, the company also announced new truly wireless Pixel Buds, a new Nest Mini and more. Here’s everything you need to know. 

Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL features and specifications 

As mentioned above, the Google Pixel 4 series of handsets are all about the camera, the new Soli radar chip and the 90Hz display. As always, the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL vary only in terms of the screen size while almost every other hardware remains the same. The Pixel 4 comes equipped with a 5.7-inch Full HD+ OLED display while the Pixel 4 XL gets a 6.3-inch QHD+ OLED panel. Both handsets feature a 19:9 display aspect ratio with a panel that has a refresh rate of 90Hz. The battery capacity differs as well, with the smaller version getting a 2800mAh battery and the Pixel 4XL being backed by a 3700mAh power pack. They both support ‘fast’ wireless charging, even though Google has not specified wattage on the phone’s product page. 

Both Pixel 4 phones lose the dual-tone design for the rear panel as it is now replaced with a single slab of glass. The handset is water-resistant and supports Active Edge feature so that you can squeeze the phone for invoking the Google Assistant. Powered by the Snapdragon 855 SoC, both phones come equipped with 6GB RAM and options to select from 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. There’s also the Pixel Neural Core and Titan M security model on the devices. 

The camera is the Pixel 4 series’ USP and this time, Google is embedding dual rear cameras on the handsets. There’s a 12.2 MP dual-pixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture, AF with dual pixel phase detection and Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization. The sensor is supplemented by a 16MP telephoto camera that has f/2.4 aperture and all the same aforementioned additional features like AF, OIS and EIS. There’s also a Spectral + flicker sensor on the phones but Google didn’t elaborate on what it can do. 

On the front, the two phones sport an 8MP wide-angle camera that has an f/2.0 aperture lens. However, alongside the camera, Google has embedded an NIR flood emitter and dot projector, along with two NIR cameras to enable better face detection for authentication. As per Google, the handsets feature the fastest face unlock on a smartphone, thanks to Motion Sense, which senses when the user is approaching the handset with the help of Soli Radar chip. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL come equipped with the Soli radar chip that enables Motion Sense, which is a set of features that can be used to skip songs, decline a call and much more. Google says all the data processed by the radar chip is stored on the phone and not sent back to any servers. 

Coming to the additional camera features on the Pixel 4 lineup, there are four main options this time around. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL introduce live HDR+ with dual exposure controls learning-based white balance, wider range portrait mode and Night Sight with astrophotography. Google explained, in a quite detailed manner, about how it uses software to work around the limitations of smartphone photography. In addition, the new Pixel phones feature dual stereo speakers, USB-C audio, no headphone jack and run on Android 10. Update: While you have read through the features of the Google Pixel 4 handsets, the company has confirmed that the phones will not be launched in India. You can read all about this here.

Google Pixel Buds 

Alongside the new Pixel smartphone lineup, Google also unveiled the new truly wireless Google Pixel Buds. The new earphones are touted to deliver good sound and come packed with features. As expected, the new cans enable hands-free access to Google Assistant, which can be used to send texts, get directions or use google translate. The new buds are also said to feature long-range Bluetooth connection that can connect with a device up to three rooms away when inside or across a football field when outside. This is similar to most Bluetooth headphones though. Additionally, the earphones are sweat and water-resistant. 

As per Google, the new truly wireless Pixel Buds can deliver up to five hours of audio playback on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the wireless charging case. Rather than being wider, the carry case for the device is taller, similar to the Apple AirPods. The new Google Pixel Buds also come equipped with a Spatial Vent for picking up environment sound and enabling some level of awareness. It’s volume also dynamically adjusts, based on the ambient noise and it comes with beamforming mics that are said to pick up voice while on a call clearly. The Google Pixel Buds will be available in the US in 2020 for $179 (Rs 12,807 approx). It will be offered in Clearly White, Oh So Orange, Quite Mint and Almost Black colour options. 

Google Nest Mini

Google also announced its new 2nd generation Nest Mini, which looks the same as a regular Google Home  There are some improvements in the new device, like three far-field microphones instead of two and a port for wall hanging it. The Nest Mini comes in Chalk, Charcoal, Coral and Sky colour variants, and features the regular connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There are touch-based controls on the device, along with a 15W power adapter. The audio of the new device is said to be better than its predecessor, with 2x bass and enhanced clarity. 

Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel Buds, Nest Mini price and availability

As of writing the story, Digit received an update from Google confirming that the Google Pixel 4 series of handsets won't be sold in India. However, in the US, Pixel 4 is up for pre-order priced at $799 (Rs 57,000 approx). and the Pixel 4 XL is available at $899 (Rs 64,268 approx). In regions where it will be available, it will start shipping from October 24 in Clearly White, Just Black, and a limited edition, Oh So Orange colour models. As for the Google Pixel Buds and the 2nd gen Nest Mini, we don't know their India price and availability yet. However, the Pixel Buds will be available next year in the US for $179 (Rs 12,797 approx), while the Nest Mini is priced at $49 (Rs 3,503 approx). The Pixel Buds come in Clearly White, Oh So Orange, Quite Mint and Almost Black colour models, while the Nest Mini will be available in Chalk, Charcoal, Coral and a new Sky colour. 

Google also announced the PixelBook Go laptop that runs on ChromeOS. You can read more about it here. 

Story developing: Please stay tuned for more updates. 

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Google Pixel 4 is not coming to India, heres why

Google just wrapped up its hardware event in New York and while the journalists are yet to leave the demo zone, Indian consumers have some bad news coming their way. The Google Pixel 4 will not be launching in India.

The news was first broken by Android Central. We reached out to Google for a comment and a Google India Spokesperson said that “Google has a wide range of products that we make available in different regions around the world. We determine availability based on a variety of factors, including local trends, and product features. We decided not to make Pixel 4 available in India. We remain committed to our current Pixel phones and look forward to bringing future Pixel devices to India.”

The issue for the non-release appears to be one of the star features of the phone; the Soli Radar. The chip operates on the 60GHz frequency, which at the moment is not allowed for public use in India. The Pixel 4 has no other biometric authentication or security feature, leaving the phone with just a pin/pattern based unlock method. This means that even if Google was to disable the Soli hardware in order to try and sell the phones in India (we’re not sure if that would work either), it would leave the Pixel phones with a dated security measure. There had been rumours leading up to the event that the Soli Radar would not work in all regions.

The Pixel smartphones have been a bitter-sweet device in the Indian market. People have lauded the smartphone for its amazing cameras, but have often attracted criticism over the pricing. This is because up until now, Google has imported the Pixel devices, attracting a heavy import duty causing the retail price to jump significantly. This is the same reason why Apple’s flagship smartphones carry an unreasonably price tag.

Regardless of the pricing issues, the Pixel 4 would have been a great smartphone to throw into the mix in India. With its “best in class” display and astrophotography chops, the Pixel would definitely have had takers in the Indian market. Sadly, now those who want a Pixel 4 will have to resort to the good old “know anyone who’s going to the U.S.” jugaad.

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Google announces budget-friendly Pixelbook Go

Google’s annual hardware event was full of announcements, one of which was the budget-friendly Pixelbook Go. The new laptop from Google runs Google’s ChromeOS and according to Google, will deliver up to 12 hours of battery life.

There were not a lot of details shared about the new laptop, but here is what we know. The Pixelbook Go can be had with one of three of Intel’s 8th generation processors, the Intel Core m3, Intel Core i5 or the Intel Core i7. There will be a choice of 8GB or 16GB RAM and 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options. What is interesting is that the base of the Pixelbook Go has a ribbed design, to add better grip and feel to the machine. In addition, it appears to have rounded edges on the sides, a departure from the usual sharp, clean lines found on most laptops.

As of now, there is no word on India availability, but the Pixelbook Go will be available in the U.S. starting at a retail price of $649 for the Core m3/8GB RAM/64GB storage variant. The top of the line variant which will come with an Intel Core io7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage will set you back by $1399. The Pixelbook Go is available in two colours, Just Black and Not Pink.

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Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL Launch Event - Pixel Buds and Pixelbook Go Unveiled: Live Updates From New York

Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL price is expected to be revealed at the Made By Google event, which began in New York at 7.30pm IST.

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Fortnite Chapter 2 Now Live; Brings New Map, Season 1 Battle Pass, More

Fortnite's progression has also changed, and you can earn XP and medals by just searching chests, eliminating opponents, and completing challenges.

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Vodafone Rs 399 RED postpaid plan reportedly revised to offer 150GB additional data for six months

Ever since Jio stepped into the telecom space, competition in the segment has considerably heated up. Airtel, Jio and Vodafone keep trying to best one another by introducing new plans and offers to entice consumers. Now, Vodafone is reportedly offering a notable amount of additional data on its entry-level Rs 399 RED postpaid plan. The plan offers 40GB data, along with free unlimited calling, for a month and users will now get an additional 150GB data over the default amount of data, reports TelecomTalk. This means that Vodafone users who are on the RED Rs 399 plan can avail a total of 190GB of data per month. 

The validity of the 150GB additional data that Vodafone users get is said to be six months. Though, it should be noted that we checked the Vodafone website to find that there’s no mention of the additional data. So, we suggest that you check with your operator before recharging or switching to the plan. Furthermore, the Rs 399 RED postpaid plan by Vodafone comes with other bundled offers. There’s a 200GB data rollover service, along with free one year Vodafone Play subscription. One also gets complimentary Mobile Insurance and Zee5 subscription, each worth Rs 999. 

In addition to the report of free additional data being offered to consumers, the company has also introduced multiple connections on some of its RED postpaid plans. Vodafone's Rs 598, Rs 749 and Rs 999 plans are now available with multiple connection option. The Rs 598 pack offers 2 connections where the primary and secondary member can avail 50GB and 30GB data per month respectively. The Rs 749 plan enables sharing data between three users but the primary member gets 60GB while the other members get 30GB data. The Rs 999 plan can be shared between five users and the primary user gets 80GB while all other members can avail 30GB of data. 

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Intel refutes claims of 10nm desktop processors being cancelled

Intel’s 10th generation mobile CPUs have been in the market for some time, with the main highlight being their 10nm fabrication process. Intel has had some trouble meeting their timeline for sub-14nm chips, but with 10th gen, the company finally seemed to have the process locked down. In the time since the announcement of 10th gen CPUs for laptop, Intel has announced new desktop SKUs, but there’s no announcement of a 10nm-based desktop chip. Now we’re getting to hear of rumours that Intel may entirely skip the 10nm desktop processors.

German PC Hardware website Hardwareluxx reports that a credible source has informed them about Intel’s plans on entirely skipping the 10nm fabrication for desktop processors. Instead, the publication says, Intel will straight away offer 7nm chips by the year 2022. However, in a response to WCCFTech, Intel has refuted the claims, stating that, “We continue to make great progress on 10nm, and our current roadmap of 10nm products includes desktop.”

During a recent meeting with Intel executives, we asked why Intel’s 10th gen desktop CPUs were nowhere to be found. The answer simply came down to the fact that 10nm processor design for laptops is just not the same as 10nm design for desktop CPUs. They neither gave us any more details, nor elaborated on what exactly was keeping Intel from announcing 10nm desktop processors.

Intel’s current generation desktop processors (9th gen) including the new Xeon W and the Extreme series processors that were recently announced are all fabricated with a 14nm node. AMD on the other hand, has already achieved 7nm manufacturing for its third generation Ryzen processors, which are available in the market already.

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