6 epic things Google’s new phone can do

With the Pixel 2 launch on Wednesday, Google claims that smartphones are now a thing of the past and – according to them – the future is based on artificial intelligence.

And the Pixel 2 does just that – collated to perform to the user’s habits, with the machine-learning phone adapting the more you use it.

Google has taken a different approach, hyping how the software and artificial intelligence built into the phone can help you do more. By mastering its software, Google has argued that the phone is more approachable and easy to use than other android device, giving the Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone X a run for its money.

In light of their revolutionary step, we look at 6 epic things Google’s Pixel 2 can do.

1.       Google assistant is one squeeze away – literally.

 On the Pixel 2, all you have to do is firmly squeeze the phone for Google Assistant to launch. And according to Tom’s Guide, it’s the easiest way to invoke the assistant.

The embedded app allows you to ask Google to set reminders, schedule events and alarms, adjust hardware settings on the device and show information from the user’s Google account. Google assistant can also be used to purchase products and transfer money.

2.       Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth 5.0 features on the Pixel 2. And according to Trusted Reviews, it promises to have twice the data transfer speed than the previous Bluetooth 4.2 version.

It also has enough bandwidth to support two sets of wireless devices at the same time. So with the Pixel 2, you can connect to speakers in different rooms, or listen to two sets of headphones without having to share a bud with your friend.

 3.       Pixel Buds

The Pixel 2 has no headphone jack, with Google introducing its new Pixel Buds wireless headphones.

The earphones are big and circular and come in various colours. Pixel buds will feature gesture controls which will allow swipes and touches on the headphone to switch song, answer calls and adjust volume levels.

But that’s not all. According to Endgadget, the headphones will be used to translate languages, too. The Pixel Buds have the ability to translate between 40 languages in real time. You can finally have a conversation with a person, speaking completely different languages.

For example, if you tell it to ‘help me speak French’, and start speaking in English, the phone’s speakers would then output your translated words in French. The other person’s reply in French will then play out in English in your ear!

4.       Google’s dual pixel lens

Instead of having two different camera lenses like the iPhone X, the Pixel 2 is a lot savvier.

The phone has a dual-pixel sensor, which is supposed to, literally, divide every pixel in two, according to CNET. And although that means the pixels are a bit smaller, it allows the camera to receive a lot more information for the phone’s processor to work with.

This is meant to allow for a much faster autofocus and it also means it can offer portrait mode. Portrait mode allows the lens to cut around a person’s hair and blur the background. All of this without having a second camera.

5.       The camera can identify objects

The Verge’s Dieter Bohn says, using the information gained from dual pixels, the Pixel 2’s camera can identify objects. This is also with the help of Google Assistant when in camera mode.

Although it can mainly identify landmarks, books, and movie posters for now, its machine learning software will allow it to identify more objects with usage.

6.       AR Stickers

According to The Verge, the phone includes augmented reality. You can include animated characters in their photos and videos using the phone’s character. 

Google has called these AR Stickers, with the stickers (animated characters) interacting with each other.

For example, you can put an AR Sticker of Stranger Things heroine, Eleven, in a scene with her nemesis, Demogorgon, where she’ll quickly vanquish it. The scenes can then be recorded and sent to friends.

Check out the AR Sticker demo here: https://youtu.be/OdgJ_wMpKVA