A report from Tech Crunch reveals to us that some most popular features of Google’s new smartphones will not be included in the new operating system. The Pixel and Pixel XL, which will run Android Nougat 7.1 operating system, are going to miss out on features including Google Assistant. Google, owned by Alphabet Inc(NASDAQ:GOOGL), unveiled the new Pixel Phone line up on Tuesday to compete with the iconic iPhone.
Google Pixel Phone
According to the search engine company, the Pixel is the first phone made by Google inside and out. The phone, with rounded the edges, uses 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 4 on the front display and back glass. On the back, there is Pixel Imprint, a fingerprint sensor.
The Pixel features a 12.3MP camera with latest technology that lets users take photos in any light – low or bright. The Pixel is available in two sizes, a 5-inch model or a 5.5-inch model. It comes in three colors: very silver, quite black and really blue.
The Pixel devices are available for pre-order today at $649 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany and Australia. Pre-orders in India will begin October 13.
Pixel Missing Features
According to the report, the Pixel will miss features including Google Assistant, the built-in customer support service, unlimited and free backup of full-res photos and videos, Smart Storage, and more.
The most notable feature that we won’t see in the Android 7.1 is Google Assistant. The company designed this smart virtual helper to compete with Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa.
Google Assistant is better than Now, the current digital assistant available on today’s Android devices. Now offers a variety of assistance, ranging from sending alerts information, weather, sports and stock information, as well as reminders of upcoming events, and more.
Google Assistant can do everything Google Now does. But it has an artificial intelligence that allows a two-way conversation. The AI technology allows Google Assistant to learn and recall personal details you share with it and then recall them in future chats.
“Ask it for a brief update on your day or to play a video on YouTube. Look up traffic on the way home from work or when the nearest pharmacy closes. You can even say “show me my camping photos with Andrew” and it’ll instantly display the photos you’re looking for. Your Assistant can also offer help with what’s on-screen in any app. So if your friend texts you to meet up at a new restaurant, you can just say navigate there,” Google said in a blog post.
Pixel-Only Features and Android 7.1
Android Police revealed some Pixel-exclusive and non-exclusive features, citing a changelog provided by a Google source. The Pixel-Only features include Pixel Launcher, unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos, Pixel Camera and Sensor Hub processor with tightly integrated sensors.
The Pixel Launcher, EIS 2.0 (Google’s alternative to OIS), solid navbar icons, new blue SystemUI theming, wallpaper picker, new setup look, and dynamic calendar date icon will remain exclusive to the Pixels.
The Pixel line up will be powered by Android 7.1, which is coming with a few new treats. All devices running Android 7.1 will receive Night Light, performance improvements to touch and display, fingerprint swipe down gesture, a Daydream VR mode, and a “manual storage manager.”
According to the report, Android 7.1 will launch as a Developer Preview later this month. The Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) subsidiary has yet to announce when it will begin to rollout to consumers’ smartphones.