Daynotes: Google Pixel Event

Tuesday October 19, 2021; 1:24 PM EDT

Google Pixel Event#

Today is the Google Pixel launch event, and much like Apple's event yesterday, we pretty much know what is going to be announced. One big difference with Pixel 6 is how much marketing Google has been doing, I think I've seen more advertising for this PIxel than any other.#
Unfortunately, I have a meeting at the same time as the event, so I've not been able to watch closely.#
For me the biggest surprise has been the price. The Pixel 6 starts at $599 and the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $899 and I was expecting these prices to be much closer to $1,000. I've read elsewhere that these prices are only at the Google Store and that it appears the phone carriers are only selling versions with mmWave 5G.#
Today is launch day for Android 12. Just clicked System Update on my Pixel 4, and an update is available to Download and install. I expect this to be the production update. It's a 3.84 MB download because I already have the Android 12 release candidate, which was the final beta, installed. Update is in progress.#
The launch video is now getting in to a lot of detail and it's feeling long. I am going to want to know which of these features will be available on my Pixel 4a. Most of what they are highlighting in the video are features that are optimized for Tensor, which is the Google designed processor in the Pixel 6.#
My first impression having watched the ending of the presentation is that Google has hit it out of the park with this release of Android 12 and the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. I've been running Android 12 for several weeks and I really like all of the UI improvements. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are priced very favorably and is going to put to test the question of whether a well designed Android phone can seriously compete with the iPhone. It looks like Google is all-in on marketing the Pixel 6. The question is, when one walks in to a Best Buy or a AT&T store which phone do people in those stores steer customers toward? Another question is going to be build quality. Google has suffered in the past with defective devices that leave bad impressions so they must step up their quality control game. Only time will tell. #

Tuesday October 19, 2021; 1:24 PM EDT

Google Pixel Event#

Today is the Google Pixel launch event, and much like Apple's event yesterday, we pretty much know what is going to be announced. One big difference with Pixel 6 is how much marketing Google has been doing, I think I've seen more advertising for this PIxel than any other.#
Unfortunately, I have a meeting at the same time as the event, so I've not been able to watch closely.#
For me the biggest surprise has been the price. The Pixel 6 starts at $599 and the Pixel 6 Pro starts at $899 and I was expecting these prices to be much closer to $1,000. I've read elsewhere that these prices are only at the Google Store and that it appears the phone carriers are only selling versions with mmWave 5G.#
Today is launch day for Android 12. Just clicked System Update on my Pixel 4, and an update is available to Download and install. I expect this to be the production update. It's a 3.84 MB download because I already have the Android 12 release candidate, which was the final beta, installed. Update is in progress.#
The launch video is now getting in to a lot of detail and it's feeling long. I am going to want to know which of these features will be available on my Pixel 4a. Most of what they are highlighting in the video are features that are optimized for Tensor, which is the Google designed processor in the Pixel 6.#
My first impression having watched the ending of the presentation is that Google has hit it out of the park with this release of Android 12 and the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. I've been running Android 12 for several weeks and I really like all of the UI improvements. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are priced very favorably and is going to put to test the question of whether a well designed Android phone can seriously compete with the iPhone. It looks like Google is all-in on marketing the Pixel 6. The question is, when one walks in to a Best Buy or a AT&T store which phone do people in those stores steer customers toward? Another question is going to be build quality. Google has suffered in the past with defective devices that leave bad impressions so they must step up their quality control game. Only time will tell. #

Last update: Thursday October 28, 2021; 1:48 PM EDT.