Technology - Google News

Google's Pixel 3 is a third strike for hapless HTC and LG
Pixel 3: We can do more with one rear camera than you can with four
Razer Phone 2 Announced, Feels A Bit Like Razer Phone 1.5

Google's Pixel 3 is a third strike for hapless HTC and LG

Posted: 11 Oct 2018 06:07 AM PDT

Two years of Google selling "Pixel" branded versions of HTC and LG handsets have done nothing to arrest the slide that both Android licensees are seeing in their mobile sales. Will more exclusive machine learning and artificial intelligence features on Pixel 3 models do anything to change that?

Google's Pixel phones look like an iPhone but don't sell well or generate profits

HTC gets pixelated

Ten years ago, Google offered Taiwan's HTC a lifeline of sorts in the form of an Android partnership for the original HTC Dream, followed by Nexus One. However, the former Windows Mobile contract manufacturer hasn't fared so well since. Google's last two years of HTC-built Pixels have done nothing to help the struggling company.

After its initial work with HTC, Google moved on to partner with Samsung, then LG and Motorola. HTC's next collaboration on Google's Nexus 9 tablet was a bust. Selected by Google to build the Pixel and Pixel 2, HTC's sales have slipped faster and faster down a slope towards oblivion.

HTC reports revenues monthly, and the story they outline is one of dramatic failure. Across 2018, HTC's revenues have increasingly plummeted.

The seasonal boost in September 2017 didn't occur in 2018 at all, with the company chalking up an 80 percent decrease in HTC's revenues. Overall, HTC's revenues in 2018 have collapsed by 57.7 percent.

HTC revenues are circling the drain every faster, despite its Pixel partnership with Google

That's in comparison to 2017, when HTC was already experiencing problems with selling its phones. Rather than helping, another generation of Pixel 2 ransacked HTC's 9 months of revenues from 46,372 NT (nearly $1.5 billion) to a mere 19,507 NT ($600 million). That's even before looking at HTC's profits, which are a function of its volumes of sales.

LG gets XL-pixelated

Google's three generations of larger Pixel XL phones are built by LG. Those sales aren't helping to stabilize things for LG, which has been actively losing money on its Mobile Communications operations.

While the rest of LG's consolidated operations are profitable, its MC group that builds Pixel XL as well as LG's own handsets reported a year over year decline in revenues of 19.2 percent, and drop in operating income over twice as large: down 45.7 percent over the year-ago second-quarter.

LG noted its MC unit sales "declined QoQ and YoY due to stagnating smartphone market and decreasing sales of mid to low-end smartphones in North and Latin America," and blamed its collapse in profits on "decreased QoQ and YoY due to smartphone sales decline and increase in marketing expense to support new flagship product."

Looking ahead to Q3, during which Apple launched its new iPhone XS and iPhone XR models, LG noted, "competition in the premium smartphone market is expected to intensify due to stagnant smartphone demand and competitors launching new products."

Google triples down on its failed Pixel strategy

Google's Nexus and Pixel re-brandings of Android licensee hardware were supposed to be a combination of a strategy to build a base of users dependent upon Google's services and/or an object lesson for Android licensees to show them how to successfully build desirable, successful Android phones. By either metric, Google's Nexus and Pixel have failed disastrously over the last ten years.

Why did the last two generations of Pixel phones perform so badly? Google pursued a software-first strategy that promoted exclusive, proprietary camera features that other Android phones didn't have. But, there was little else offered to make Pixel competitive with other Android devices that cost far less than Google was asking.

Nothing about Pixel or Pixel 2 really offered anything to aggressively compete with last year's iPhone, let alone the newest iPhones Apple released at the same time.

In dramatic contrast to Apple's supply chain expertise, Google's Pixel is effectively helping to starve its own supply chain to death. Yet while sources from Bloomberg to the Wall Street Journal and Japan's Nikkei desperately search for potential problems among the often-false rumors surrounding Apple's tentacles of production, there's been nothing but glowing admiration for Google's decade of ineffectual stabs at building a hardware business.

There's not even any pointed criticism of Google's round-robin strategy of throwing resources at one Android licensee, then yanking support to work with another. When Apple switches suppliers, there's full, detailed coverage of the poor plight of the company that loses its business. Apple is even held to blame for App Store developers who can't find success.

Yet, nobody in Android-land blames Google for the overall lack of commercial returns from Android. Among hardware partners, Android has been especially problematic.

The Lethal Google Phone

Google's devastating impact on HTC and LG is particularly notable because Pixel and Pixel 2 were supposed to be evidence that Google could produce an iPhone-priced, premium Android phone —if only it could bypass bumbling, adware-infatuated Android licensees. Yet after Google took the reins, HTC and LG went from having problems to suffering full-blown crises.

Google's supposedly stellar "brand value," and its tenacious grip on web advertising didn't help one iota to push a significant number of buyers to pay a premium for Pixel phones (or its Pixel-branded Android tablet, which ended up canceled entirely).

This wasn't a unique event. Google previously destroyed any real hope for Nest by taking it over and seeking to align it with its true vision of Android. And before that, Google's takeover of Motorola turned out massive flops like Moto X, which not only failed to make money but actually incinerated $700 million across just the last six months of its production.

The tech media appeared completely blind to any possibility that Google might not be widely successful in hardware, despite its foundering for years in failed attempts to produce phones, tablets, TV boxes and other experiments under the Nexus, Q, Chromebook, and Pixel brands. Given Google's history before the phone, it should have been easy to predict that the company's best-case scenario might be facilitating the production of cheap phones for the low-end, mass market, not a premium device to rival Apple's iPhone.

But just months before Google gave up and sold off the one-time American icon to a Chinese company, Steven Levy wrote the official company line in an article for Wired: "Moto X is the first in a series of hardware products that Google hopes will supercharge the mother company's software and services."

After Google's five generations of Nexus, two cycles of Moto X and now its third attempt with Pixel, it's getting increasingly ridiculous to suggest that Google's well-established failure in designing, producing and marketing hardware is going to be reversed by new software update plans, new software technology, or a clever new machine learning software feature.</span>

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Pixel 3: We can do more with one rear camera than you can with four

Posted: 11 Oct 2018 07:08 AM PDT

The single camera on the back of the Pixel 3 makes a brazen statement. In a landscape in which most high-end phones worth their salt have two (iPhone XS), three (Huawei P20 Pro, LG V40) or possibly even four (Samsung Galaxy A9) rear cameras, Google's willingness to bet the farm on its Cycloptic lens is a play of confidence that says, "Our single lens is better than all your fancy cameras combined."

It's worth noting that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have two 8-megapixel front-facing cameras, but I'll get to that later.

Phone-makers, including Samsung and Apple, have been known to reserve a second lens for the higher-end model of a set. The Galaxy S9 has a single 12-megapixel lens where the Galaxy S9 Plus joins the dual-lens pack; the same goes for the single 12-megapixel lens on the forthcoming iPhone XR, versus the dual-lensed iPhone XS models. But both Google's 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL share the exact same 12.2-megapixel sensor. There's no camera advantage to buying up.

samsunggalaxya92018-5 — Samsung's Galaxy A9 comes out swinging with four rear cameras.
Aloysius Low/CNET

Cameras are a big deal. Along with battery life, photography is one of the main reasons why people choose one phone over another. Phones with the brightest colors, deepest contrast, sharpest edges and brightest low-light shots can win the day. Extra features like portrait photos, dramatic lighting options, wide-angle selfies and automatic, AI-driven scene detection, can help phone-makers stand out from one another -- or keep from falling further behind their competitors.

There are a few reasons phones have a second, or even third, rear lens. Many phones have a telephoto sensor, which can add depth for portrait photos and give you a better image when you zoom in. An additional monochrome sensor can take black-and-white photos without applying a filter, or be used to add details that enhance a color picture. The triple-lens Huawei P20 Pro has all three.

The LG V40's three rear cameras can simultaneously snap a photo from each lens, and you can pick your favorite. That's more a software gimmick than an actual benefit. And the rumored Galaxy A9 is said to have an ultrawide lens in addition to a "depth camera," a telephoto lens and the 24-megapixel "main" sensor.

The fact that Google only "needs" a single rear camera lens speaks to its software prowess. The tech titan, with its seemingly limitless resources, is far ahead of phone-makers when it comes to advanced image processing.

Now playing: Watch this: Pixel 3 and 3 XL: CNET editors react

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Specifically, AI and machine learning are two cutting-edge efforts in helping computers make decisions on their own, for example brightening a photo based on dark weather conditions. And Google says it's studied millions of photos on Google Images to rethink "how images are captured," Google hardware SVP Rick Osterloh said in Tuesday's presentation.

Google has also outfitted its Pixel 3 phones with extra or enhanced camera modes. Super Res Zoom creates a zoomed-in shot from multiple photos. Portrait mode lets you fine-tune the focus point, depth of field and color saturation. And low-light photos promise to be even brighter and better than the Pixel 2's already lauded low-light capabilities, without you ever turning on the flash -- a feature Google dubs Night Sight. Top Shot picks your best photo for you when you have motion mode on.

The Pixel 3 and 3 XL's two 8-megapixel cameras get more of your friends and your background in your shot.

Sarah Tew/CNET

What about the Pixel 3's two selfie cameras?

Given Google's extraordinary confidence in its single rear camera, it's interesting that the Pixel 3 phones follow handsets like LG's V40 to add a second camera on the face.

Last year's single-lens Pixel 2 was one of the only phones I used in 2017 that accurately kept my curly hair in focus on a portrait mode shot. Google accomplished that feat with software alone, so why is a second lens necessary now?

Google says that the wide-angle selfie cam, which it claims is 184 percent wider than the iPhone XS' front-facing shooter, is designed to fit more of your friends (or your landscape) into the frame. We managed to fit 13 CNET editors into a selfie shot on the Pixel 3, so it's off to a good start.

Some Pixel 3 camera tricks are still to come.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The waiting game

The question on my mind -- and everyone else's -- is how well Google's Pixel phones succeed. Is the single camera really better than two or more? And which meaningful tricks and tools will the Pixel phones miss out on that other phones have?

Unfortunately, we have to wait. CNET's Pixel 3 reviews are ongoing, and those camera comparison deep dives you love take time. Besides that, two of the Pixel 3's camera features (Night Sight and Top Shot) won't be ready until after the phones go on sale.

Until then, I'll leave you with the reminder that Google's Pixel phones have an excellent photography track record. In fact, I can't think of a single mainstream phone playing at this high-end level that doesn't take terrific pictures overall.

In other words, if you're drawn to the Pixel 3 for its relatively lower price, timely Android updates and unlimited storage on Google Photos, it's a safe bet that its photos will be good, even great. If you're looking for professional-grade photography and want to be completely sure, hold off ordering while we work on competitor comparisons.

Read now: Hands-on with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL

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Razer Phone 2 Announced, Feels A Bit Like Razer Phone 1.5

Posted: 11 Oct 2018 07:04 AM PDT

Razer on Wednesday announced the Razer Phone 2, its second-generation smartphone meant to further refine the company’s take on mobile gaming. “Refine” is the key word here because in accordance with recent leaks, including those from AndroidHeadlines, the new handset could more accurately be described as the Razer Phone 1.5 as it looks virtually identical and features similar internals and software features to those its predecessor has been offering since last year. Most of the annual improvements Razer introduced are unlikely to significantly affect one’s everyday experience, provided they owned the original gaming phablet, though there’s still no denying the Razer Phone 2 is more flashy and delivers noticeably more computational power.

If it looks like the Razer Phone 1…

The new device looks almost identical to the Razer Phone, save for having a slightly revamped front-facing lens and an RGB lighting system installed beneath the rear-facing Razer logo on the back that depicts a triple-headed snake. The 16.8 million colors that the setup can display can serve as essentially the most in-your-face LED light indicator ever implemented into a mobile device and while the aesthetics are similar, the feel isn’t because the Razer Phone 2 ditches the all-metal design for a glass back, which some may deem a more elegant solution that also allows for wireless charging, though it also makes the device more fragile and slippery. The handset is also both wider and thicker (158.5 x 78.99 x 8.5 mm) than its predecessor (158.5 x 77.7 x 8 mm), so it stands to reason it’s heavier as well, though its weight info has yet to be disclosed.

… has hardware that’s almost identical to the Razer Phone 1…

Looking below the familiar exterior yields more similarities with Razer’s first gaming smartphone; 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of UFS storage with a microSD card slot are still part of the package, with the only difference being that the phone’s memory is now expandable by up to 1TB (not that it matters since you won’t be able to buy 1TB microSD cards for some time anyway). A 5.72-inch IGZO LCD panel with a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio makes a return as well, together with a 12-megapixel dual-camera setup, an 8-megapixel front camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. The main hardware improvement comes in the form of the newer Snapdragon 845 chip from Qualcomm that provides the Razer Phone 2 with some 30-percent more raw processing power compared to what its predecessor yielded, according to the firm. The 3.5mm headphone jack isn’t on offer this year either, so as far as hardware is concerned, this is essentially the 2017 Razer Phone with a better chip and a more flashy (literally) rear panel.

… it’s probably… Razer Phone 2?

While extremely similar to its predecessor in most aspects, the Razer Phone 2 does introduce some novelties. Besides the aforementioned RGB lighting system and a better chip, it’s also equipped with a new vapor chamber cooling system that sounds extremely similar to what Samsung has been using in its flagships for several years now. Without going into too many technical details, this is basically the only viable take on the idea of implementing a water cooling setup into a smartphone and should allow the Razer Phone 2 to maintain its peak performance levels for longer than its predecessor did, which should be a major selling point to anyone looking into (semi-)serious mobile gaming.

On the imaging side of things, Razer touts the newly included optical image stabilization as a massive improvement to its original cameras, with the system itself still relying on Sony-made sensors. The battery capacity remained unchanged across two product generations, as did the handset’s support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0 which can replenish half of the said cell in 30 minutes, but the inclusion of a more efficient chip should see the Razer Phone 2 last slightly longer on a single charge than the 2017 phablet did. Another improvement comes in the form of the handset’s body that’s now IP67-certified for resistance to dust particles and water, whereas the first Razer Phone had no official IP rating. Finally, the dual stereo speakers of the device now support Dolby Atmos, allowing for a mobile surround experience that’s both louder and more immersive.

Still the ultimate option for mobile gamers

In spite of incremental improvements, the Razer Phone 2 unsurprisingly continues being touted as the ultimate option for mobile gamers. A custom Nova Launcher implementation based on Android 8.1 Oreo is part of the newly announced device, whereas the phone has been optimized for a broad range of popular titles such as Marvel Future Fight, PUBG Mobile, RuneScape, and Guns of Boom. Razer also takes pride in the fact that its new handset is the only smartphone on the market that currently features Netflix certification for HDR and Dolby Surround 5.1 content. Coupled with the return of the 120Hz display and the fact that the device is running a lightweight implementation of Android, anyone who games a lot on their mobile device will certainly at the very least want to consider the Razer Phone 2 this fall.

Second-generation phone, first price hike

Whereas last year’s Razer Phone launched at $699, its successor is now $100 more expensive. Pre-orders start today in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, with Razer.com being the only retailer to accept them. While a firm global release date has yet to be attached to the new Android gaming handset, the Razer Phone 2 should start shipping to customers no later than early November. The San Francisco, California-based manufacturer hasn’t outright referenced its price hike but apparently feels convinced the newer chip, RGB lights, and extra software tweaks and additions are worth the price difference. While many OEMs discount their previous-generation products after releasing their successors, Razer didn’t do so and is actually still prominently featuring the original Razer Phone on its website, going so far as to allow consumers to easily compare the two and decide which one is the “right” fit. The move clearly signals that the 2017 device won’t be getting discontinued anytime soon as Razer apparently has a different understanding of product generations.

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