Google revealed its latest lineup of Nexus smartphones, new Chromecast devices and a slew of updated services at its Nexus event on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s conference was also the first time new CEO Sundar Pichai, hosted a major media event for the company.
Pichai, announced as CEO in August, kicked off the event citing some impressive achievements by Google. The company calculates that there are currently more than 1.4 billion active Android devices. Emerging markets in countries such as Indonesia and Turkey are among the fastest-growing Android markets. Pinchai said that Android adoption has doubled in these emerging markets.
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The CEO also revealed that by the end of the year there will be more Chromebooks in schools in the United States than any other device. Every day, 30,000 new Chromebooks are activated in schools, according to Pichai.
The event also gave the first official look at Google’s two new Nexus phones, the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. Here is a run-down of features of both:
Nexus 6P:
- First fully-metal Nexus phone
- 7.3mm thick
- Diamond-cut edges
- Sculpted back for comfortable holding
- 5.7-inch ALOMED display
- Screen makes up 74 percent of the device
- 64-bit processor
- Type-C USB port for turbo-speed charging and reversible connection
- 12.3 megapixel Sony imaging sensor with 1.55-micron pixels
- High-res eight megapixels, front-facing camera
- Forward-facing speakers
- Nexus Imprint feature for fingerprint authentication (works with Android Pay)
- Runs Android 6.0 (code named, “Marshmallow)
- Available in three colors: frost white, aluminum and graphite
- New support for slow motion video
Nexus 5X:
The Nexus 5X has most of the same features as the 6P. It’s the lower-end option so it has a smaller screen (5.2-inches) and not quite as robust camera capabilities as the 6P. The 5X will also ship in three colors: carbon black, quartz white and ice blue.
Both Nexus phones will be available from the Google Store in late October. Pricing for the Nexus 6P starts at $499 and the 5X starts at $379.
Google also announced the Pixel C, the first Android tablet built by Google and a new, re-designed Chromecast with dual Wi-Fi, an integrated HDMI cable and a smaller form factor for discreet placement behind a TV. The company is also launching the new Chromecast Audio–a device that plugs into home speakers and can stream music via Wi-Fi from any app that supports Google Cast.
Google also revealed new content for Chromecast from Showtime, Sling TV, the NBA, the NHL and BN Sports.