New Google phone comes with suite of 'smart' technology

Googlehas unveiled its newsmartphone along with a suite of new hardware products thatwork together and make use of the company'spersonal assistant software.

At aproduct launch in San Francisco on Tuesday, the companyofficially announced thePixel phone, the Daydream View virtual realityheadset, the Chromecast Ultrastreaming device andtheGoogle Home smart speaker.

None of these devicesareunique to Google, and the tech giant faces stiff competition from established companies like Apple and Sony.

But Googleisgambling that the deep well of data it has accumulated about people through its search engine and online software puts it in the best position to leverage emerging technologies for individual consumers.

"Our goal is to build a personalGooglefor each and every user,"CEOSundarPichaisaid. "We want to build aGooglefor each user."

Pixel phones

The Pixel phone marks thecompany'smost aggressive challenge yet to Apple andSamsung.

Googlehas released a series of its own phones, dubbed Nexus, since 2010. Those phones had limited distribution and were typically embraced byGooglepurists. Now, the company is casting aside the Nexus name as it aims to become an even more prominent player in the mobile market.

Described as"the first phone made byGoogleinside and out," it comes with a voice-activated, built-in personal assistant.

Assistant,Google'sanswer to Apple'sSiri, listens to voice commands andperforms tasks,such as playing music ormaking restaurant reservations. It links directlyto a user's Google account so it can access things like email and calendarstoprovide a personalized experience.

Pixel isavailable for preorder in Canadafor $899 or $1,149 for the larger version.

GoogleHome

Googleis ready to start selling its echo of Amazon's Echo.

GoogeHome is aninternet-connectedspeaker that uses Assistant to transform your abodeinto a smart home.

It will be able to perform many of the same tasks as Echo, including playing music and fielding questions about everything from the weather to what's playing at the local theatre.

ButGoogleis betting that the knowledge that it has gained while running the world's dominant search engine will make the computer-powered assistant in Home smarter thanEcho's Alexa, which has been on the market since 2014.

• Amazon Echo challenges Toronto's Ubi voice assistant

Home will also be able to control lights, appliances and other devices around the house, assuming you've installed "smart" versions of them.

And like most of Google's new hardware,Home will work closely with other Google devices. For example, if you have a Chromecast streaming device, you can use Home to control video on your TV.

Home will cost $129 US ($170 Cdn).

Daydream View

The company also gave us a look at its virtual reality headsetDaydream View,which comes with a small remote and slate of exclusive content.

The new wireless motion controller for Daydream can function like a fishing rod, a steering wheel or a pointer to permit more sophisticated VR experiences.

The headset is paired with any Daydream-ready phone. For the time being, that exclusively means Pixel, but Google says more compatible phones will roll out.

Daydream is a challenge to more sophisticated systems from Facebook's Oculus business, HTC and Sony.

Google says 50 partners are bringing apps and games to Daydream, with more on the way. Google services such as photos, YouTube and Street View maps will also come to Daydream.

The Daydream View will hit shelves in Novemberfor $79 US ($104 Cdn).

ChromecastUltra

Googleis updating itsChromecastvideo-streaming device for watchingNetflixand other online video on big screens.

The new device,ChromecastUltra, will support a higher-resolution format called 4K and work in concert with Google Home.

Googleis facing competition with low-end devices.Rokujust announced a $30 Express model that's about the size of a finger, while Amazon just updated its $40 Fire TV Stick. Both of those devices come with a remote, making them suitable stand-alone gadgets. But neither streams in 4K.

• What you need to know about 4K TV

Wi-Fi router

The new Google Wi-Fi system will be modular just add new components based on how your home and rooms are shaped. Software will help manage the various access points for you as you move around.

It will cost almost $130($171 Cdn)for the main device. A three-pack for larger homes will cost about $386 Cdn.

New devices could helpGooglekeep its services front and centre in the battle for consumers' attention, said analyst Julie Ask atForresterResearch.

Unlike a new mobile app or other software, she noted, it can be an expensive gamble to build and ship new hardware products. "But if you'reGoogle, you can't afford to stop placing bets."