Google Releases New Radar Smartphones

Google unveiled  on Tuesday,  a new Pixel smartphones with higher quality cameras, a radar sensor and faster virtual assistant.

The company also revealed a new way of controlling a smartphone, dubbed “motion sense”. The technology uses a radar chip in the smartphone to let users control it using gestures in the air, with controls for skipping songs, snoozing an alarm or silencing calls.

Google started developing hardware about four years ago, wagering that it could introduce artificial intelligence into devices faster and better than rivals and that consumers would clamor for such features. The strategy has generated mixed results.

Both devices have a prominent square for a camera hump, with an LED light, microphone and two lenses. There's no difference between the 4 and the XL in terms of their cameras, and both have a 16-megapixel primary lens with an f/2.4 aperture, hybrid OIS and a 52-degree field of view. The other lens is a 12.2-megapixel telephoto with a f/1.7 aperture and a 77-degree field of view.

Its lower-priced devices have been top sellers, but are far from being major profit drivers. Higher-priced devices, such as the Pixel phones, have gained little traction versus those of industry leaders such as Samsung Electronics Co and Apple Inc because of limited marketing. Consumers are also holding on to their devices for much longer.

Meanwhile, Pixel 4 comes with a new design and square camera element all belted in neatly around the sides by a slick-looking aluminum. The Pixel 4 XL loses the Pixel 3 XL's ugly notch and instead has a forehead bezel that houses the selfie camera and face unlock sensors.

Analysts predicted Google’s device is likely to clash with rival manufacturers developing smartphones using Google-made Android operating software. Other companies, such as Samsung and Huawei, largely rely on Google’s Android system.

The smaller Pixel will cost £629, while the larger model starts at £829. The devices go on sale from October 24.