Week of October 10, 2016

Image Source: http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/articles/260205-thumb/header-pixel.jpg, http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/google-debuts-tv-spots-new-smartphone-and-virtual-reality-headset-173894

Image Source: http://stech3.firstpost.com/tech2images/640x359/proportional/jpeg/2016/10/Google-Pixel-Pixel-XL-White-Black-624x351.jpg

Source: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/google-de-buts-tv-spots-new-smartphone-and-virtual-reality-headset-173894

Last week, Google released an entire new line of innovative products, including the first ever Google-branded smartphone: Pixel.

Other products in the line include Google View VR headset and Google Home (an Amazon Echo-like product).

What makes the Google Pixelsmartphone and the other products in the line is the feature of artificial intelligence.

The phone comes in 5.0 and 5.5 inch versions.

Image Source: https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6ddcbfc3ad4dc34c90cf-3913b818258afccf8ed3/54_167_3393_2036/master/3393.jpg?w=620&q=55&-auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=42e5446fd5f6bda98cc7863ca3ec9767

Source: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/google-de-buts-tv-spots-new-smartphone-and-virtual-reality-headset-173894

As teased at its I/O Conference this year, Google Pixel if the first phone to come with Google Daydream virtual reality software. You can use the Pixel phone to power the Google VR headset to bring VR to life.

Image Source: http://stech3.firstpost.com/tech2images/640x359/proportional/jpeg/2016/10/Google-Pixel-Pixel-XL-White-Black-624x351.jpgSource: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/google-debuts-tv-spots-new-smartphone-and-virtual-reality-headset-173894

Other notable features include:• The ability to charge 7 hours of life in 15 minutes.

• Unlimited high-res photo and video storage utilizing unlimited space on Google Photos cloud-based storage system.

• Google Assistant: a Siri-like virtual command system.

Image Source: https://store.google.com/product/pixel_phone

Google has a landing page to showcase the Google Pixel and its features at https://store.google.com/product/pixel_phone.

Google also released a promotional video that highlights everything new about the Google Pixel...including everything not so new. As noted in the video, a “3.5mm headphone jack satisfyingly not new” in order to take a jab at the buzz surrounding the iPhone 7’s removal of the headphone jack.

What this means for brands:

What this means for marketers:

Brands should be looking toward how consumers adapt to Google’s new offering compare to Apple. With the integration of VR, this is sure to not be the last in Google’s line of innovative products. How will brands be able to leverage this technology and what will come next?

Marketers should note Google’s slightly passive attempt to take aim at the buzz and controversy surrounding Apple’s latest iPhone. It will be interesting to see how consumers react to the new iPhone and if Google can overshadow the smartphone marketplace. We should be noting if their strategy to compete with Apple is working or ends up being a failure.