Why Did Google Decide To Name Its Smartphone - Pixel?
- by Nick Cohen
- in Industry
- — Oct 9, 2016
Such is the case with Google and its new Pixel phones, which are set to launch in the coming weeks.
Unlike earlier Google phone efforts under the Nexus brand, the Pixel devices are designed and developed by Google from the start, although Taiwan's HTC Corp (宏達電) will serve as the contract manufacturer.
In comparison with unlocked devices, Verizon-purchased Pixel phones will come with a few extra pre-loaded apps, as part of the carrier's agreement with Google. However, this promotion is limited only for customers in the U.S. as of now.
Regardless, one giant reason to avoid buying the phone is for better security.
Google on Monday announced its new Pixel phone, which will initially be available for preorder in the US exclusively with Verizon Wireless.
Mario Queroz, VP of product management at Google has also apparently said Google is looking into ways of allowing manufacturers that don't now use Cast to built the Assistant technology into their products as well.
Some believe that Google Pixel and Pixel XL are much more than just pure Android phones.
While we cant tell how quickly Verizon plans to put out major updates for the upcoming Pixel phones, if you want to avoid Verizon holding updates hostage, you can totally pre-order the unlocked version from the Google Store, as it works with all major carriers in the USA, including Verizon.
Most likely, the Pixel Launcher and Google's Assistant feature will be also missing from the Nexus lineup. The other caveat is that the phone will come with three Verizon apps: My Verizon, Verizon Messages, and the Go90 streaming service.
Pixel will be available with a 5- or 5.5-inch display, starting at US$649 for USA customers, similar to the latest iPhone models.
Google is claiming it has a "best-in-class" camera (12MP) scoring 89 on DxOMark, an industry benchmark for smartphone cameras.
The new Pixel phone is "the first phone made by Google inside and out", said Sabrina Ellis of the Pixel product management team.
