The week that was has just come to an end and there is little doubt that a lot of interesting stuff came to life across the entire period.
For the millions who have been looking forward to downloading and installing the Google Allo app, it is finally here. Available through the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store, Allo is a free-to-use app for messaging services. Although it comes to join a congested market that is led by the likes of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger as well as the company’s own Google Hangouts, it has its own uniqueness that sets it apart from the rest of the party.
You will get things like Smart Reply, a feature that lets you pick answers from smart suggestions provided by the app. There is also room to interact with the company’s AI-based Google Assistant, be it when you don’t have anyone to chat with when you are having a one-to-one chat with a friend or even when in a group chat. This is, perhaps, the most intriguing part of Google Allo, but there is more, including things like chatting in incognito mode.
Another top story of the week revolves around the launch date of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. These two phones are expected to be launched when Google holds an event on October 4th. During this event, other products such as Google Wi-Fi and Chromecast Ultra are expected to be released, but the talk of the day is all about the Pixel and Pixel XL.
These two have already appeared in numerous leaks, with claims that they will actually carry the same hardware specs. From the rumors, there are some real differences between the Google Pixel and Nexus 5X as well as Google Pixel XL and Nexus 6P. Nonetheless, the Pixel and Pixel XL also have their own differences, which we have also highlighted. Just to give you a heads up of what the rumor mills have to say, the Pixel and Pixel XL will come with a 5-inch and 5.5-inch display screen, respectively. Where the former will feature a Full HD panel, the latter will carry a QHD screen.
Under the hood, expect at least a Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB RAM and 32GB of non-expandable storage, which should be a norm by now when it comes to Google smartphones. The phones will also come preinstalled with the latest Android Nougat OS, probably v7.1. The other device that should be coming with Android Nougat on board is the LG V20. Expected to be released in South Korea next Thursday, the handset will be the first to reach consumer shelves with Nougat installed. As for those in the U.S., the wait will take a little bit longer, until October 21.
A major surprise regarding the Google Pixel and Pixel XL is the pricing aspect. Apparently, the smaller Pixel will be priced at $649. This is the same price for the 128GB variant of the Nexus 6P, but the reports add that financing will be part of the deal.