Google Home is coming November 4 for $129

Google’s answer to the Amazon Echo now has a price and launch date. The AI-powered Google Home is up for pre-order today, with retail availability kicking off from November 4 for $129, $50 less than the price of the Echo.

Google Assistant is built into Home, bringing Google’s vast Knowledge Graph into play. The assistant responds to your questions in natural language, and can look up web results, provide translations, stream music from YouTube, Google Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tunein and iHeart Radio, and much more. The device also works as a Chromecast Audio receiver, and you can use it as a remote control for other Cast-enabled devices.

Home’s design features a capacitive touch surface at the top, through which you can change volume or pause music playback. The top section is white, but the bottom half is removable, with Google making various color combinations available.

Google Home integrates with Nest Thermostat, SmartThings, Philips and IFTTT, allowing you to manage your smart devices with your voice. Customers purchasing the device also get six months of YouTube Red for free.

See at Google Store

Apple Seeds Second Beta of iOS 10.1 to Developers

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming iOS 10 update to developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the first iOS 10.1 beta and three weeks after releasing iOS 10 to the public.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 10.1 beta, Build 14B67, from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile is installed.

iOS 10.1 includes a new “Portrait” mode for the iPhone 7 Plus that allows it to use the two built-in cameras to create shallow depth of field portrait photos with blurred backgrounds.

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To achieve the look, the image signal processor in the iPhone 7 Plus uses images from the wide-angle camera to create a depth map, dissecting the different layers of the photo to decide what to blur. It works on people, pets, and objects, but does require good lighting to achieve the proper effect.

The update also likely includes bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements to address issues that have been uncovered since iOS 10 was released.

iOS 10 has been described by Apple as the “biggest release ever” for iOS users, with features that include a redesigned Lock screen, a Siri SDK to allow third-party apps to integrate with Siri, and a completely overhauled Messages app with stickers, a full App Store, Digital Touch, Bubble Effects, and more.

Other features include a dedicated “Home” app for HomeKit users, new facial and object recognition capabilities in Photos, and redesigned Maps and Apple Music apps.

Apple has also released a second beta of Xcode 8.1 for developers.

What’s new in iOS 10.1 beta 2:

Messages – The Messages App Drawer has been tweaked. There are no longer dots to represent each app installed, and there’s a new scroll bar at the bottom.

Split-View – It’s no longer possible to drag and drop stickers when using Split View mode on an iPad that supports it.

Related Roundup: iOS 10
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HTC Ocean: What’s the story on HTC’s next flagship?

With the HTC 10 getting long in the tooth, and 2016 drawing toward its winter, it’s time to look forward to the next big thing from HTC.

The HTC 10 was something of a rebirth for the struggling company. Offering a cleaner Android experience and a simple but solid design, the HTC 10 surpassed the One M9 in many ways to offer a desirable flagship experience. 

So what can we expect from HTC’s next handset? Rumours suggest that it might be codenamed HTC Ocean and here’s how the threads of this story are weaving themselves together.

HTC Ocean: Design

The HTC Ocean first appeared when a video surfaced showing an HTC handset with no physical controls, instead relying solely on gestures, touch and voice.

The video purports to demonstrate the “Sense Touch” user interface and was discovered on Danelle Vermeulen’s website. Vermeulen is a visual and motion designer, although it is declared that the phone is a concept, raising some doubts as to how much can be drawn from this video.

The design perhaps has to be taken with a pinch of salt, but it sees a phone with no buttons, suggesting a range of interactions we’re yet to see in smartphones so far.

The physical design doesn’t look too far removed from the HTC 10, with a metal body and chamfered edges around the display. There are two cameras on the rear with an LED flash, but there’s no knowing if HTC is going to go back to a dual camera arrangement. 

The video suggests that there will be touch-sensitive zones around the phone and demonstrates a heavier use of voice than we might typically go for. 

As this is an HTC flagship, we’d fully expect a full metal unibody.

HTC Ocean: The name

What’s interesting about the HTC Ocean name – and makes this a rumour worth running with – is that no sooner had notorious leaker Evan Blass shared the HTC Ocean concept video, but another familiar name in HTC leaks joined the party.

Codenames OCEAN MASTEROCEAN NOTEOCEAN SMARThttps://t.co/r4FY9I0Ske

— LlabTooFeR (@LlabTooFeR) September 21, 2016

In isolation, a single leak could be dismissed, but with LlabTooFeR adding three codenames to the mix, it makes things more real. 

So HTC Ocean should be taken as a codename and the three versions suggest different devices with different skills: Ocean Master, Ocean Note and Ocean Smart.

The obvious thing is Note, perhaps following Samsung’s lead with a larger stylus-equipped device. Exactly what Master or Smart would bring to the party is anyone’s guess. 

As is the final go-to-market name. With HTC dropping the One moniker for its flagships and adopting HTC 10, logic would suggest it will be called HTC 11.

That may well explain the choice of Ocean for a codename, a sideways nod to Ocean’s 11?

HTC Ocean: Hardware and specs

Currently there’s no suggestion of what the HTC Ocean might have sitting at its heart, but it’s likely to be a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset from the 800 series. The most recent is the Snapdragon 821, but that could change, with rumours of a Snapdragon 828 and Snapdragon 830.

We’d expect 4GB of RAM and storage from 32GB, with support for microSD card expansion.

One of the things that’s likely to dictate the hardware specs of HTC Ocean is compatibility with Google’s new VR platform Daydream.

• What is Daydream and when is it coming? Google’s Android VR platform explained

There’s no mention of display sizes yet, but HTC opted for a 5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution on the HTC 10. We’d see that as an optimal choice for the Ocean, but with three codenames circulating, there may well be a range of sizes. 

HTC Ocean: Software

One thing that’s certain is that HTC’s next flagship will launch with Android Nougat. For the HTC 10 the company took a lighter approach, stripping away a lot of the additional bloat for a cleaner Android experience, turning to stock Android apps rather than duplicating with its own. 

With a complete change in interaction with Sense Touch, the experience might be different, but judging by that video above, it’s still very much about the core Android experience. 

HTC Ocean: Cameras

HTC’s track record with cameras has been a little rocky over the past few years. Currently, there’s no indication of where the company might turn. 

The leaked video, however, did feature a dual camera setup on the rear of the HTC Ocean. Whether this is just for fun, or a serious consideration, we have no way of knowing. 

HTC was one of the first companies to put a dual camera on a smartphone with the HTC One M8. That wasn’t a huge success, but things have moved on and recently we’ve seen the likes of Apple adding a dual camera to the iPhone 7 Plus. 

HTC is a company that’s keen on innovation and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the company take a different approach to cameras again in 2017.

• Dual lens smartphone cameras: The history running up to iPhone 7 Plus

HTC Ocean: Release date

HTC is likely to target early-2017 for the launch of its next flagship handset. The key dates to note would be around Mobile World Congress 2017, say the 26 February. 

However, HTC eschewed the conference this year, running with its own virtual event which it may well repeat, to avoid the noise of the big launches at that show. If that’s the case, we’d expect it to some time in March 2017. 

Google Pixel and Pixel XL official: Bye, bye Nexus

Google has officially revealed its new pure Android smartphones in the form of the Pixel and Pixel XL. They are also the first phones to come with Google Assistant, the company’s new voice-activated helper, built in.

The two devices launch in place of the Nexus handsets, carrying simplified “G” branding representing the tagline “Made By Google”. It is widely thought HTC is the manufacturer behind the smartphones, acting as a contractor for Google, rather than a partner as has been the case with Nexus devices in the past.

The Pixel is the smaller of the two new smartphones, but the design and many of the specifications are identical to the larger Pixel XL. The Pixel has a 5-inch Full HD display, while the Pixel XL has a 5.5-inch Quad HD display.

• Google Pixel XL vs Pixel: What’s the difference?
• Google Nexus vs Google Pixel: What’s the difference?

Both offer AMOLED technology, both are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and both devices feature a metal build with a glass panel covering the top third of the rear, housing a circular fingerprint sensor.

There is a 12-megapixel rear camera, featuring an aperture of f/2.0 and 1.55µm pixels on the rear of the two devices, along with an 8-megapixel sensor on the front and both come with optical image stabilisation. They also feature HDR+ with zero shutter lag, so shots can have excellent contrast in all lighting conditions.

Video stabilisation is also included to keep footage as smooth as possible.

• Google Pixel vs Nexus 5X: What’s the difference?
• Google Pixel XL vs Nexus 6P: What’s the difference?
• Google Pixel and Pixel XL: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor is under both hoods, supported by 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 128GB of internal storage and they both offer USB Type-C charging. The Pixel has a 2,770mAh battery, while the Pixel XL has a slightly larger capacity at 3,450mAh. It’s claimed that they can both be charged for up to seven hours in just 15 minutes.

There is 24/7 customer care on tap for Pixel users.

The Pixel and Pixel XL will launch with Android 7.1 Nougat from the box, offering users a raw Android experience and all the latest features Google has to offer. And there are a whole slew of differently designed rear shell cases on offer.

It’s available in the UK through EE and Carphone Warehouse, and Verizon in the States, in three colours: blue, black and silver. It starts at $649 in the US, as rumoured previously, and is now available on pre-order. An actual shipping date is yet to be announced.

Daydream View VR headset will be first with Google’s new tech and out in November

Google has expanded upon its Daydream virtual reality concept with further details of how its mobile system works and the unveiling of its first, reference grade headset.

The Daydream View VR headset is the company’s own device and is made differently from other headsets on the market – not least because it’s covered in material rather than plastics. It is likely to be followed by many similar products made to the same set of standards by other manufacturers in future, but we suspect this will be the only device that matches your socks.

It works in conjunction with Daydream-enabled phones, of which Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are the first. They are needed to provide the screen and processing, while the dedicated Daydream software provides the hub through which to access VR experiences and apps.

• What is Daydream and when is it coming? Google’s Android VR platform explained

It also works with a separate motion remote control, so you can scroll through and interact with content on the screen without touching the device.

The Daydream View VR headset will be available from November from multiple retail outlets, including the Google Store, EE and Carphone Warehouse. It’ll cost $79 for the headset and remote in the US, £69 in the UK and Google has said that there will be new colours coming later this year too. Crimson and a lighter grey crossed with beige versions will follow the slate edition available initially.

Google Pixel mocks iPhone with ‘Quite Black’, ‘Very Silver’ and ‘Really Blue’ colours

Fed up to the back teeth with overthought product colour names? iPhone 7 Jet Black or Rose Gold a step too far for you to say out loud?

The new Google Pixel phone points a bit of fun at such typically pompous colour names, by introducing three finishes that state exactly what they are: Quite Black, Very Silver and Really Blue.

We needn’t explain those any more than that, eh?

The Pixel phone, which is immediately available for pre-order, is Google’s push in its Made by Google campaign, which sees the end of Nexus branding.

Although Google doesn’t technically make the phones – that job goes to HTC – it takes full control (hence the colour name branding) and features its own “G” logo to the rear to show off that it’s Google through and through.

The Pixel is the first phone to push Google’s new Daydream virtual reality abilities, too, although it seems the VR team doesn’t share quite the same sense of humour – the Daydream headset will be launched in ‘Slate’, with ‘Snow’ and ‘Crimson’ following at a later date. Or, to everyone else, that’s grey, white and red.

The Pixel phone will be priced from £599 when it launches in the UK. And, no, we’re not kidding.

Google Chromecast Ultra launches with Google Play Movies in 4K

The rumours were true, Google has indeed unveiled a new Chromecast dongle that’s capable of supporting 4K Ultra HD streams with HDR and Dolby Vision. Called the Chromecast Ultra, the newest member of the Chromecast family sports a similar disc-shaped design so it can still be tucked away neatly behind your TV. 

The only real obvious difference is the removal of the Chrome logo, which has been replaced by a “G”, fitting in with Google’s “Made by Google” message.

• Google Chromecast Ultra: Everything you need to know

So what can you do with the new Chromecast Ultra? Well you can stream all the apps you were already able to do with the original Chromecast: Netflix, Now TV, Spotify and Google Play Movies among many others, but you can now stream 4K content from supported services.

So far, only Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube have 4K content available to stream but the Chromecast unfortunately still doesn’t support Amazon’s video service. Google has announced that Google Play Movies will stream 4K content from November.

It’s likely Amazon is being stubborn and holding its service back for its own uses, perhaps we’ll see a 4K Fire TV Stick in the not-too-distant future.

Casting content is the same as before, which is no bad thing seeing as it was already incredibly easy to do so. You’ll first need to connect the Chromecast Ultra to your wi-fi network, then it’s simply a case of loading up a supported app on your smartphone, tablet or computer running the Chrome web browser and tapping the cast icon in the top right of the screen.

And that’s it, your chosen content will be beamed to your TV and because the Chromecast Ultra connects to the cloud via wi-fi, it won’t run down the battery of your mobile device.

The Google Chromecast Ultra will be available from November for $69 and is likely to be £69 here in the UK

Google Wi-Fi router announced, pre-orders start in November

Google has announced a new Wi-Fi router at its Made by Google event.

Last year, Google introduced the OnHub router with TP-Link and Asus, but this year, Google has made its own device called Google Wi-Fi. Each base station looks like a Scandinavian-style, double-stacked hockey puck that Google described as a “visually subtle” disk.

You can buy multiple routers to form a mesh network. You basically put several of these disks around your home to boost your network, allowing you to get Wi-Fi signal everywhere, from your bathroom to your basement. Think of Google Wi-Fi as an expandable system for better coverage. Instead of one router, multiple routers work together to deliver fast input to throughout your home, Google said. It’s basically a modular system.

Google Wi-Fi has a feature called Network Assist that allows it to actively manage and optimise your network behind the scenes so you don’t have to adjust settings. Google Wi-Fi handles networking automatically, picking channels, etc, and it keeps the signal strong in every corner of your house by transitioning your device to the best router for less congestion and better speed.

Although Google Wi-Fi can optimise service without your input, you can still control it through a companion smartphone app. You can even manage several features, including the Wi-Fi access of your kids. Google said, “You don’t have to shut down the router, just go to the app and hit pause.”

Google Wifi is an expandable system that gives you great internet throughout your whole home. And it looks great, too. #madebygoogle pic.twitter.com/98nu94yDrF

— Google (@google) October 4, 2016

Google Wi-Fi will be available for pre-order in November in the US. It costs $129 for one base station or $299 for three and should ship in December. Google has said that Google Wi-Fi won’t be coming to the UK for now but “hopes to make it available in the future”.

Check out Pocket-lint’s Made by Google event roundup for more details.

Google Home, the $129 voice-controlled smarthome speaker, will launch November 4

It’s all about smarter homes – and Google wants a piece of the pie. Its Google Home speaker, priced $129 and launching on November 4 in the US, is a Wi-Fi-connected, voice-controlled speaker designed to act as the hub of the home.

The speaker, via Google Assistant, can action a range of requests – all powered by your voice. So whether you want to use it to play music, to answer questions, or to integrate with smart home devices – such as Nest, Philips Hue and Samsung Smart Things – to make things happen by the power of voice.

At its core, as a speaker, many will use Google Home for music. It’s compatible with YouTube Music and Google Play Music, of course, but also your favourite go-to services such as Spotify, Pandora and iHeart radio. It will learn your app preferences over time, rather than always defaulting to the Google-based apps.

Available in three colour variations – Mango, Marine and Violet bases join Carbon, Snow and Copper tops – there are options to suit a variety of homes. The top panel also houses a capacitive touch panel to trigger physical controls, so you don’t always have to shout.

The Google Home speaker arrives hot on the heels of Amazon’s Echo, which includes the Alexa voice assistant to handle many of the same kind of requests (defaulted to Amazon-based apps). It’s competition time in the world of smart home. Google, however, claims to have the best-in-class voice recognition and it’s possible to mute the mic for total control as and when you want it to listen.

• Amazon Echo: What can Alexa do and what services are compatible?

No final word on UK pricing or availability for Google Home – other than it’s “coming soon”. But if it follows the footprint of Amazon’s path then we anticipate the US will kick things off with the UK following later down the line.

For the full ins and outs about Google Home, click the link below to read our full What is Google Home? feature.

• What is Google Home, how does it work and when can I buy it?