Google unveils next-generation Pixel smartphones

Google is borrowing from Apple's playbook as it takes on itsrival in the high end of the smartphone market.

The second generation of Google's Pixel phones unveiled Wednesdayfeature larger, brighter screens that take up more of the phone'sfront, changes that Apple is also making with its iPhone X scheduledto be released next month.

Both the 5-inch Pixel and 6-inch Pixel XL will also get rid of the headphone jackas Apple did with the iPhone last year and will work with new Pixel Buds wireless headphones, which nonetheless will have a short cord so they can be draped around the neck.The new phonesalso feature built-in stereo speakers.

Pixel Buds can be used to listen to music and phone calls and totranslate spoken language in real time, working with translation software built into the new phones.The translation feature will also be madeavailable in an update to last year's Pixel models.

Google also souped up its already highly rated camera on thePixel, boasting that it will take even better photos than the iPhone.

The phones will be available to pre-order starting October 4 from Rogers, Bell and Telus, as well as Best Buy, Walmart and other retailers. Pixel 2 starts at $899 and Pixel 2 XL starts at $1,159.

Hands-free AI camera

Separately, Google introduced a hands-free camera that will automaticallytake photos and video.The small, square GoogleClipscan be attached toa stationary object so it can capture images of everything withinits range of view. It will rely on artificialintelligence to determine the best times to record video or snap a short motion photo lasting several seconds.

"Clips looks for stable, clear shots of people you know," Google says on a blog post about the device. "You can help the camera learn who is important to you."

Google is promising that privacy controls built into Clips willgive the camera's users complete control over which images they wantto transfer to another device or share with someone else.Clips is expected tobe available in storesin December.

Home assistant in 3 sizes

Google also introduced different sizes of its internet-connected speaker to compete against similar devices from Amazon and Apple.

The Home Miniis a doughnut-sized speakercovered in fabric with the same features as those in the standard GoogleHome device, a cylindrical speaker that Google rolled out last year in response toAmazon's Echo.

The Home Max is a rectangular speaker with superioracoustics for playing music, mimicking Apple's HomePod.

Both new speakers are due out in December.

Google's voice-activated digital assistant will serve as thebrains for all the speakers, just as Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Sirirun their competing devices.

All three technology companies are trying to establish theirassistants as prescient concierges that understand people's needsand desires to help them better manage their homes and lives.

Google is counting on the knowledgeit has accumulatedthrough its dominant search engine to make its assistant more intelligent than either Alexa or Siri.

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