It seems like we might see a new and more affordable Pixel smartphone from Google. According to a report by the Economic Times, the search engine giant might be planning to launch a mid-range smartphone under the Pixel brand. It also notes that the phone would be aimed at price-sensitive markets like India and may launch around July-August. Details about the smartphone are not yet known and no such leaks or rumours have surfaced so far. The report also adds that the next generation of flagship-grade Google Pixel devices should be available in India around the festival of Diwali, which is more or less the time Google announces its flagships globally.
Besides the Pixel phones, Google may also be planning to bring more of its devices to India. The report notes that the company is exploring the launch of the Google Pixelbook, Google Home smart speakers, as well as its IoT products like doorbells, camera, alarm system and smoke detectors that are sold under the Nest Brand. It adds that Google plans to introduce all these products over the next one year.
Google is already hosting an event on April 10 where it is confirmed to launch its Home and Home Mini smart speakers. The prices or the speakers is not yet known, but in the US, the two speakers are priced at $129 (approx Rs 8,500) and $49 (Rs 3,200) respectively. Speculation suggests that they will be priced around the same in india as well. This means that the Home and the Home Mini, might go head-to-head with Amazon’s Echo and Echo Dot smart speakers. The biggest difference between the two is the digital assistant that they use. Amazon’s speakers use Alexa, and offers currently offers integration with Amazon Prime Music for songs as well as Amazon's own retail services. It also offers integration with Zomato, Ola and more. On top of this, Amazon also allows developers to create skills for the speakers. Google’s speakers will rely on the Google Assistant and while the full range of features that the company will bring to India is not yet known, but it should be noted that the company has already launched Google Play Music in India.