Google to Open Pop-Up Store in NYC for Pixel Launch
- by Nick Cohen
- in Industry
- — Oct 19, 2016
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With Nexus devices, Google controlled the delivery of software updates, whether it was sold by a carrier or not.
Luckily, there is an easy solution to fix this: the option of buying a phone directly through the Google Store, with the company then handling both software and security updates.
In a move that truly highlights the death of the Nexus program, system updates for the Pixel phones will be managed by Verizon for models that it sells, while Google will handle updates for unlocked models purchased through the Google Store.
Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has recently come up with Pixel and Pixel XL Android phones but its selling strategy ensures that security factor remains in its hand.
Google is most certainly looking to compete head-to-head with the Apple iPhone 7 with its Pixel phones.
According to the source, when they reached out to Verizon to confirm the same about the software updates, it was reported by the carrier that the system updates for these Pixel smartphones which you will be buying from the carrier will be handled by the carrier themselves. This means that even the Verizon-branded Pixel phone won't be delayed in receiving the latest security features of Google.
Google's Pixel smartphone will be available in two variants - a 5-inch Pixel for $649 and a bigger 5.5-inch Pixel XL that will retail for $769 in the US.
Google has confirmed that Verizon phones will have locked bootloaders, and the company will be pre-installing some of its own apps on the Pixel devices that it sells, though it looks like those may be uninstallable. Google Pixel will also have 12.3mp camera that received the highest rating now from DXOMark Mobile and the phone will allow for an unlimited cloud storage for 4K photos and videos. The Pixel phone is the first mobile device that would have Google assistant built-in.