Google's September 2015 Event: Everything You Need to Know
On Tuesday, Google held a press conference to unveil its new Nexus phones, give more details on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and reveal a couple of surprises. Here's a recap of everything new from Google's September 2015 event.
Two New Nexus Phones
A lot of the leaks and rumors about the new Nexus phones during the lead-up to Google's September event were accurate, especially about the manufacturers, names and look of the phones. Google confirmed them on Tuesday when it officially revealed the Nexus 6P made by Huawei and the LG-made Nexus 5X.
Nexus 5X
The Nexus 5X is a 5.2-inch device that will debut in the second half of October starting at $379, and it's already open for preorder on the Google Store. With preorders, you get a $50 Play Store credit and a 90-day free trial of Google Play Music.
It packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 system on a chip with 2GB of RAM, 1080p HD resolution, and is powered by a 2,700mAh battery. As rumored, it comes with a fingerprint scanner on the back. It's powered by what Google calls Nexus Imprint, which learns about your fingerprint so you can unlock it faster as you use it more.
Google is particularly proud of the new camera on this phone, which is a specially designed 12-megapixel sensor that uses unusually large 1.55-micron pixels for low light and less noise in photos and video. It can shoot 4K video and has laser autofocus as well.
Nexus 6P
Nexus 6P features a 5.7-inch WQHD display with 1440 x 2560p resolution, powered by a 2 GHz octa-core Snapdragon 810 with 3GB of RAM.
It's an all-metal design that's only 7.3mm thick, and it also comes with a fingerprint scanner on the back. Its camera has the same large micron size and megapixel count, and there's an 8-megapixel front-facer as well. It's powered by a very large 3450 mAh battery, which you'll be using the new reversible USB Type-C port to charge.
Preorders start today for the Nexus 6P as well, with shipping starting in late October. It starts at $499 for the 32GB low-end model, and can be as pricey as $650 for the 128GB model.
Nexus Extras
Both Nexus devices are available on Google's Project Fi, and the company introduced a new extended warranty plan, Nexus Protect, which covers you for two years in case of device malfunctions or accidental damage for $69 on the 5X and $89 for the 6P.
Google says with Nexus Protect if you drop the phone and break the screen, you can expect a replacement in the mail as early as the next business day.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Of course, these two Nexus devices come with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest operating system from Google.
Most of the details of the new Android OS -- like Doze mode and Google Now On Tap -- have already been public for a while, thanks to the Android M developer beta released over the summer (check it out here).
But what everyone was wondering was when the Android 6.0 Marshmallow release date would be for OTA updates on devices other than the new Nexus phones. Google announced existing Nexus devices, including the 5, 6, 7, 9, and Nexus Player, will begin getting the OTA rollout next week.
Two New Chromecasts
The first Chromecast, an HDMI dongle that allows you to "cast" videos from your computer, phone, or tablet onto the TV screen, was unveiled two years ago. This year, Google decided it was time for a major update.
And a facelift: The new Chromecasts are round and use a short HDMI cable to avoid cluttering your TV's other inputs. The new video Chromecast comes with improved dual-band WiFi inside, as well as a much more useful Chromecast app.
The new Chromecast app doesn't just suggest apps that support the device. It now rounds up all of your cast-able apps inside an easy to use interface that provides suggestions across various streaming apps, which you can now browse while simultaneously casting.
Google also introduced an early version of casting mobile games on the TV, which uses the smartphone as a controller and even supports multiplayer. There are only a few games available now, but that will expand over time.
Finally, there's now a new Chromecast Audio for "casting" music the same way you do video. It's got the same round hockey-puck design as the new Chromecast, but with concentric circular grooves as a throwback to vinyl records.
It works through WiFi instead of Bluetooth, so any time you activate it, you won't have to wait for the pairing process. It supports regular 3.5mm headphone jack output, as well as optical audio and stereo RCA output.
Both the new Chromecast and Chromecast Audio are available from Google immediately, and each still costs only $35.
Google Pixel C
Google ended the event on Tuesday by unveiling a surprise: a new addition to its tablet and Chromebook series called the Pixel C. It's actually a tablet/laptop hybrid with a physical keyboard that attaches and folds away, charging its battery from the main tablet piece through induction.
But it's not a Chromebook, because instead of running Chrome OS, it runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It's basically a laptop/tablet hybrid, like the Microsoft Surface, but with more emphasis on the tablet part.
It has a 10.2-inch screen with 308 pixels per inch resolution, powered by Nvidia's Tegra X1 chipset. Google hasn't said when it will be available, but we do know it will cost about $500 for the 32GB storage model and $600 for double that.