Google rolls out cheaper smartphone as Pixel sales flag

Tech giant rolls out faster Google Assistant and upgraded operating system

A group of attendees take photos while waiting in line for the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. AP Photo

Attendees cheer before the start of the Google I/O conference keynote at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

Attendees cheer while arriving for the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

An attendee takes a video before the start of the Google I/O conference keynote at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the Google I/O keynote session at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

Google products, including the new Pixel 3A phone, are displayed during the Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

The Google LLC Nest Hub Max is demonstrated during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of hardware for Google LLC, speaks during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Aparna Chennapragada, director of Google Now for Google LLC, speaks during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

New Google Pixel 3a phones are displayed during the Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

Google's Alexander Hunter gives a demonstration of the Nest Hub Max at the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. AP Photo

Rick Osterloh, senior vice president for hardware at Google, discusses new devices during the Google I/O developers conference in Mountain View, California. REUTERS

Google's Android product manager Stephanie Cuthbertson demos upcoming enhancements to Android during the keynote at Google I/O at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California.. EPA

The Google LLC Nest Hub Max is demonstrated during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the Google I/O 2019 keynote session at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

A man takes a photo of new Google products on display during the Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

An attendee uses the Google LLC Pixel 3a XL smartphone during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Google Vice President of Product Management Sabrina Ellis introduces the new Pixel 3a phone during the Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

A Nest Cam is displayed during the Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. AFP

Scott Huffman, vice president of engineering for Google Assistant, speaks during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Developer Jesus Suarez wears Google Glass glasses waits for the keynote address of the Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. AP Photo

Attendees watch a presentation during the Google I/O Developers Conference in Mountain View, California, U.S. Bloomberg

Google announced new lower-priced smartphones in a bid to push its consumer hardware business, after sales of its existing Pixel line nosedived in the first quarter.

The new smartphones, which the tech giant unveiled at IO developer conference at its headquarters in Mountain View, California on Tuesday, are priced at less than half of the company’s current Pixel smartphones.

Google, which saw its slowest revenue growth in three years in the first quarter, showed off a range of new additions including a much faster Google Assistant, an upgraded operating system, better search results and Google Nest, covering its home products. Google products are available at UAE online shopping sites such as noon.com, amazon.ae and sharafdg.com.

Here The National looks at the new offerings from Google.

A more budget-friendly Pixel

Aiming to invigorate its consumer hardware business - in a sector globally dominated by Apple and Samsung - Google announced two new versions of the Pixel. The Pixel 3a, with a 14.2 centimetre screen, comes in at $399 (Dh1,466) and Pixel 3a XL, with 15.2cm screen, for $479.

Google's price point is much lower than the premium models of its competitors, which can cost upwards of $1,000. In an earnings call last month, Google parent company Alphabet’s chief financial officer Ruth Porat pointed out that industry-wide pressure on high-end phones led to fewer Pixel sales.

Refurbished Android

Android Q is the latest software update for Google's mobile operating system. It will support 5G networks and foldable phone displays recently announced by Samsung and Huawei. Promising better parental controls, faster security updates and new "dark mode" to save battery consumption, Android Q is expected to start arriving to devices from August or September. It will let users find out which apps have access to their location data and also suggest replies while typing in messaging apps.

Google Assistant becomes more alert

Competitor to Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant has become faster and more responsive. Now it will respond nearly 10 times quicker than before, with a fivefold increase to the amount of data it can comprehend. This is possible due to Google’s latest artificial intelligence update and results will be more accurate than before, the firm says.

Nest gets bigger

Google is bringing its home products under the brand "Google Nest" – such as the Nest security alarm and Nest home camera. It has also unveiled a 25.4cm smart device Nest Hub Max that comes with better audio and video quality than previous versions. Users can now also deactivate home devices such as timers and alarms just by saying "stop".

Augmented search results

By the end of this year, Google aims to allow users to get more detailed results from any search. For example, searching the word "robotics" will show results including a timeline of robotics' development, related news stories, podcasts, among other information. It will also add an augmented reality feature where users can see a 3D model of what they search.