Google introduced inexpensive Pixel and Android Q (video) smartphones

At the annual Google I/O 2019 conference, Google introduced the new Pixel line smartphones, spoke about some features of the new version of the mobile OC Android (Android Q), and also demonstrated the possibilities of several experimental technologies.

Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL

Pixel 3A and 3A XL smartphones belong to the average price category, although until now Pixel devices have belonged to the flagship group. According to Ferra , the Pixel 3a device received a 5.6-inch display with a resolution of 2220*1080 pixels, and the Pixel 3A XL is equipped with a 6-inch screen with the same resolution. Both smartphones operate on the Snapdragon 670 processor basis and have 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of basic memory.

Pixel 3A and 3A XL received the same main cameras with a resolution of 12.2 megapixels and front chambers with a resolution of 8 megapixels. At the same time, Google claims that the cameras of the new smartphones provide high quality shooting comparable to the quality of the flagship devices (judging by the demonstration video, the new Pixel smartphones surpass the iPhone X when shooting in the dark). The capacity of the Pixel 3A battery is 3000 mAh, and in the Pixel 3A XL - 3700 mAh. Both batteries support fast charging, and the company promises that smartphones will be able to operate up to 30 hours thanks to the adaptive power management technology.

Pixel 3a will cost from $ 399, and Pixel 3A XL - from $ 479. Sales of smartphones in the United States and another 12 countries (Russia not) began on May 7, writes TJ . The plans of Google are not reported to sell smartphones on the domestic market, but so far Pixel devices have not officially delivered to Russia.

Android Q.

As for the updated version of Android, for the first time Google revealed the details about Android Q in March of this year, and at the conference, Google I/O introduced the third beta version of Android Q. OS received an improved application control system, which now allows you to limit access to the location or files in the background. Another update noticeable to the user allows the applications to be launched on top of other applications in the form of pop -up windows that can be turned into a round icon. In addition, Android Q is adapted to work with folding smartphones, writes N+1 .

Android Q also received a dark topic and the so-called focus mode, in which you can enable notifications for selected applications, for example, you can leave the notifications on for SMS messages. This mode will be added to the Android P OS, which came out last year.

Projects for users with disabilities

At the conference, Google also spoke about several projects that are designed to help users with disabilities. So, the Diva project is focused on people suffering from West Syndrome, Down syndrome or congenital cataracts. The technology developed by engineers of the company gives the possibility of non-verbal communication with the Google Assistant voice assistant using a button that transmits various signals to a special device in a 3.5 mm connector that can turn them into commands for the assistant, the Durov code reports.

Another development of Google called Project Euphonia is designed to improve the recognition of the words of people with speech disorders. The Project Euphonia team writes out the voices of people suffering from amyotrophic sclerosis to improve speech recognition algorithms.

Finally, the Live Relay tool designed for deaf or hard of hearing people is able to reproduce the words of the interlocutor in the form of a text in real time. A small video shows how Live Relay is used during a telephone conversation.