Got your hands tied up at work to keep a track of all that’s going on in the Android universe right now? Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered with our bi-weekly edition of Updato Android news to keep you informed about the Android circuit.The month of September was all about the iPhone and how Apple fans were swept off their feet with the latest features that Android users have enjoyed for years. Well, the world of Android tech has its own set of surprises to woo its fans with, especially with the grand Made by Google event.The official Android flagship devices of 2017, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel XL have got to be the winners of the event, but there was so much more you might’ve missed. Moreover, HMD Global is impressing the thriving Nokia fan base even more with some enticing promises related to software support.That’s not it, we have more details on these news stories and some other ones that you probably missed out on this week. So sit back, get yourself a hot brew and take in all the breaking news stories coming out from the Android camp right now.
Made by Google event – every new tech that Google unveiled
While most proud owners of the Google Pixel celebrated their one-year anniversary with the amazing flagship Android devices, Google planned a surprise of its own. The Made by Google event was highlighted with the release of the successor, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.However, that’s not the only piece of tech that Google showed off this week, so let’s take a quick look at everything that came out of the latest Google event.Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL officially announced
The latest Android flagship from team Google is the result of months of rumor build-ups and alleged leaks, and most of them were spot on. Following the steps of its predecessor, the smartphone is being rolled out in two versions, the standard Pixel 2 and the phablet-sized Pixel 2 XL.While both the models come with the same hardware firepower of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB RAM, there are certain differences to take into account:- The Pixel 2 packs a 5-inch 1080p OLED display just like last year, while the Pixel XL 2 has a larger 6-inch QHD OLED display that offers an 18:9 display ratio that is all the hype right now.
- Google Assistant is still a core part of the experience and gets even better on the new devices, including smart features for the camera with Google Lens.
- Fast charging makes a return on the Pixel 2, with Google claiming that you can get 7 hours of charge in just a matter of 15 minutes.
- The Pixel 2 scored a 98 on the DxOMark test, the highest rating ever given to a smartphone camera, ever. Despite being a single-lensed camera in a dual-lens world, the Pixel 2 t uses a 12MP sensor with machine learning features to improve the photo, reduce blur, and better low light conditions.
- Some software improvements have been merged into the Pixel 2 family, including Active Edge (similar to the HTC U11 Edge Sense feature). With Android 8.0 Oreo on-board right out of the box, the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will receive 3 years of Android OS updates.
Take a look at the Google Pixelbook
For the past few years, Google’s brainchild computer OS, the ChromeOS has created a brand image of a budget-friendly alternative to the main thing. While it may not have been as wildly successful as Google’s other ventures, Chromebook from all the top of the line manufacturers have established a low-cost computing alternative for web-oriented users.However, Google is breaking the shackles of mid-range components with its first premium-grade Pixelbook to rival the best in the business. Here are some key specs and details about the Google Pixelbook that you need to know going in:- At just 10mm thick and a kilogram of weight, the Pixelbook has a 4-in-1 design that includes a laptop, table stand, a tablet, and a text mode. With the similar incredible two-tone glass inlay like the Pixel phones the 12.3″ touchscreen, Quad HD LCD, 235ppi display is embedded in the latest Chromebook.
- Available in Intel i5 and i7 variants, 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of SSD storage, the Pixelbook battery life claims are up to 10 hours of use, USB Type C charging, and 2 hours of juice in just 15 minutes of charging.
- There is now the Pixelbook Pen which is a direct rival to the Microsoft Surface Pen and the Apple Pencil. So you can now sketch away on a display with 10ms of latency, 60-degrees of angular awareness, and 2,000 levels of pressure sensitivity, thanks to the support from Wacom.
A bunch more “Made by Google” gadgets
Apart from the state of the art smartphones and an all-in-one computer to compete with the best of the best, Google also had some extras to offer this year around. Addressing the elephant in the room aka the missing headphone jack on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google is compensating with the Pixel Buds, that take on Apple’s AirPods wireless earphones.- Pixel Buds feature touch controls on the right earbud with Google Assistant support exclusively for Pixel 2 owners. With additional features for things like Google Translate with support for 40 languages, you can enjoy a multilingual experience directly to your ear.
- The Pixel Buds will be available in three colors – Just Black, Clearly White and Jade Blue, just like the Pixel 2. They boast 5 hours of play time per charge and the case holds multiple charges at once.
Even Bill Gates uses an Android phone – here’s why
You know what they say – if you can’t beat them, join them. This is exactly what the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the tech industry’s most profound personality, Bill Gates has done. On an interview with Fox News, the billionaire philanthropist announced that he’s using an Android phone as his daily driver.While it shouldn’t be a massive shock to a couple of Windows Phone fans that are left out there, it does signal a change in Microsoft’s lookout towards the mobile market. Now that Windows Phone has a market share of a shaming 0.1%, the company is effectively angling itself as the next great mobile software developer.Bill Gates was clear to point out that he is using an “Android phone with a lot of Microsoft software.” Since Microsoft is actively working to become a major player in the mobile app development industry, it could signal the end of the Windows Phone era, but the beginning of something formidable.Microsoft Edge browser comes to Android and iOS
Adding to a long and impressive list of apps developed for the leading mobile operating systems, Microsoft is now bringing out its prized Edge browser to Android and iOS. While the app is still in beta, it is available for preview to members of the Windows Insiders program for now.In an attempt to help you break away from the Chrome Browser and connect to your Windows PC seamlessly, the Edge mobile browser comes with seamless syncing. From managing bookmarks on different devices to push links from the smaller screen to the larger and vice versa, you get the best of voice search too.Edge browser is being released side by side the Windows Launcher, which aims to turn your typical Android home screen into a Windows Phone style layout. If you think that Microsoft adds better value to the mobile world with its app development, here’s the entire list of Microsoft apps available on the Google Play Store that you should check out.Microsoft Corporation on the Google Play Store
While Gates may have given up on the mobile product his very own company created, he isn’t warming up to Apple just yet. When asked about whether he would ever end up on the side of iPhone users, Bill Gates was quick to reply “No, no iPhone” to the interviewer.