Google expands Pixel screens, undercuts Apple

New York - 9 October 2018

1. Wide of promo on screen at Google press event

2. Pull out of Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice-President of Hardware, Google, introducing new Pixel 3 smartphones onstage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice-President of Hardware, Google:

"For a life on the go, we designed the world's best camera and put it in the world's most helpful phone: introducing the beautiful new Pixel 3."

4. Mid of new Google products on display, two new Pixel 3 smartphones, Pixel Slate, Google Home Hub smart display

5. Wide of Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google (right), and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google (left), onstage

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google:

"We know users who want a bigger phone, really want a bigger screen. So we've designed 'Pixel 3 XL's' screen to extend all the way to the upper corners, giving users an edge to edge viewing experience with some extra useable space at the top."

7. Various of new Pixel 3 smartphone

8. Wide of screen, showing Pixel 3 camera promo

9. Wide of Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google (right), and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google (left), onstage

10. SOUNDBITE (English) and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google :

"When you press the shutter, Pixel catches a burst of short, several short exposures, we combine the images algorithmically to create an image that is brighter, more detailed and more colorful. This technology is generations ahead of other smartphones. And all this is happening on device. Pixel Visual Core is our custom designed imaging chip that takes complex imaging and data crunching power out of our data centers and puts it on your phone."

11. Wide of screen, showing Pixel 3 "Top Shot" feature promo

12. Mid of Google employee demonstrating "Top Shot" feature on new Pixel 3 smartphone

13. Wide of Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google (right), and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google (left), onstage

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google:

"Our machine learning is trained by analyzing millions of images. So those who want to see smiles instead of sneezes, photos where everyone in the group has their eyes open and the perfect moment of shock at a surprise party. Top Shot automatically captures alternate shots in HDR plus, so if your timing wasn't perfect, it'll suggest a better one."

15. Wide of screen, showing Pixel 3 "Group Selfie Cam" feature promo

16. Wide of Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google (right), and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google (left), onstage

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google :

"Now you can fit everyone in the shot without a selfie stick or unusually long arms like mine. Just zoom out. The difference is striking. You aren't just getting more people in the frame, you're getting more details."

18. Close of Google employee demonstrating new Pixel 3 smartphone camera

19. Wide of Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google (right), and Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management, Google (left), onstage

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Liza Ma, Product Manager, Google :

"When you go that call and you can't, or don't want to pick up, just tap the screen call button and your phone will answer for you and ask who's calling and why. As you can see here the chat conversation is transcribed in real time on your screen. You can decide whether to pick up, send a quick reply or mark the call as spam. You'll never have to talk to another telemarketer."

21. Mid of Google employee demonstrating new Pixel 3 smartphone

22. SOUNDBITE (English) Jonathan Roubini, Technology Expert:

"The new Google Pixel 3, it's a very good phone for the camera features, but in terms of other features, it's very basic compared to some of the other products already out there. So, in some senses, Google is still playing catch up. At the same time, they have the advantage of all the AI that can work on and improve the products as it comes out."

23. Wide of screen, showing Pixel Slate tablet promo

24. Wide of Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice-President of Hardware, Google, onstage

UPSOUND (English): "Today, we're sharing a new chapter for our vision for Chrome OS with the launch of Google Pixel Slate."

25. Mid of Google employee showing man new Pixel Slate tablet

26. Mid of new Pixel Slate tablet being demonstrated on table

27. Wide of screen, showing Pixel Slate tablet promo

28. Mid of Diya Jolly, Vice President, Product Management, Google, speaking onstage

29. SOUNDBITE (English): Diya Jolly, Vice President, Product Management, Google

"Now, imagine not only being able to hear a response back when you ask Google assistant a question, but imagine being able to see your response back. That is the power of Google Home Hub. With Google Home Hub, we've redesigned Google's most helpful services like search, YouTube, maps, calendar and photos, so they're easily controllable with your voice and provide glanceable help."

30. Mid of new Google Home Hub smart display

31. Wide of Mark Spates, Product Lead, Smart Speakers, Google, speaking onstage

32. SOUNDBITE (English): Mark Spates, Product Lead, Smart Speakers, Google,

" With Hub I can just say: Hey Google. Good morning."

"Good morning Mark. The time is 9 am. Currently in San Francisco it's 64 and sunny. The best way to get to work is by car via U.S. 101 South and will take 45 minutes. There are 11 entries in your calendar, by the way remember to pick up eggs for dinner tonight."

33. Wide of screen, showing Google Home Hub promo

STORYLINE

Google's new Pixel phones mirror the industry trend moving the devices toward lusher, bigger screens and add new twists on the camera for taking better selfies and other pictures.

The Pixels have barely made a dent in the market since their debut two years ago, but Google is hoping to change that with the latest models unveiled Tuesday at an event in New York.

Google uses the phones to highlight what it considers to be best features of its Android operating system, while challenging Apple and Samsung with a device tailored for affluent consumers.

The third generation of Pixel phones comes in two sizes, and both feature high-definition screens that span from one edge to another. It's the first time Google has embraced the format, which Apple adopted last year with its ballyhooed iPhone X.

Google is undercutting Apple on the pricing of its phones. It's also hiring photographer Annie Leibovitz to take pictures with the new Pixel in an effort to persuade consumers its camera is superior to the iPhone XS that Apple released last month.

The Pixel 3 will be available Oct. 18 and sell at prices starting at $799. That's $200 below the least expensive iPhone XS.

Google also rolled out a new device called Home Hub that couples a small display screen with an internet-connected speaker. That's similar to Amazon's Echo Show and a new Facebook device called Portal.

But again Google is attacking its rivals on the pricing front. The Home Hub will sell for $149 when it comes to stores Oct. 22. The new version Echo Show starts at $229, while the least expensive Facebook Portal sells for $199.

As usual, the Pixels focus heavily on Google's search engine, maps, digital assistant and YouTube video service.

While all those service are hugely popular, the Pixels so far have generated more media attention than sales. Google has sold an estimated 7 million Pixels over the past two years, almost imperceptible next to the 3.6 billion phones shipped during that time, according to the research firm International Data Corp.

Google doesn't disclose its phone shipments, unlike Apple, which has sold about 388 million iPhones since the first Pixel came out in October 2016.

The iPhone also features Google's search engine, but Google may be paying Apple as much as $9 billion annually for that privilege, based on the estimates of Goldman Sachs analyst Rod Hall.