Google – Mattina Technology

Google Pixelbook Review

The Google Pixelbook is an amazing hybrid, and there is a lot that you can do with it. I am currently writing this review on the Google Pixelbook. The computer is sleek and efficient. The keyboard works well and it lights up at night so that you can see the keys. One thing the keyboard is missing is a caps lock button. You have to hold what would be the caps lock button and the alt key to activate it. There are lots of nice shortcuts on the keyboard. There is a volume shortcut, brightness shortcut, and a window expand shortcut.

The Google Pixelbook I bought has 8GB of ram, a 128GB hard drive, and an Intel i5 processor. The computer has two USB C’s, one on each side for convenient charging. The Pixelbook was just under 1000 dollars without the stylus. The main reason I got it was to use it as a hybrid and so far it has worked out great.

Chrome OS allows you to install apps from the Google Play store. So far I have only found one application that doesn’t work properly. The Tetris app from EA doesn’t seem to work at the moment. I installed all my favorite apps from Hulu and Netflix to FE Heroes.

Since the Pixelbook is a Google product it gets all the latest updates as soon as they are ready to go. I would highly recommend the Google Pixelbook to anyone looking for a hybrid that you can use on the go. I give the Google Pixelbook a 9 out of 10.

-MT

Google Pixelbook Score: 9/10

+Keyboard Shortcuts

+Sleek Design

+Google Play Store Applications

+Convenient Charging

+Fast Processor

-No Caps Lock Button

-Not all Google Play Apps Work

iPad Air 2 vs Nexus 9

Apple and Google recently released their flagship tablets. Apple released the iPad Air 2 and Google released the Nexus 9 tablet. The iPad Air 2 has a 9.7 inch display (2048-by-1536-pixel resolution), an A8X processor (64-bit), and a 8 megapixel camera (1080p) with camera stabilization. The Nexus 9 has a 8.9 display, a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor and a 8 megapixel rear camera. I currently own the Nexus 7 tablet and both tablets look like a decent upgrade. The iPad Air 2 also has Touch Id built in. It is great that they are adding Touch Id to their tablets. What tablet do you think is better?

Source: Apple, Google

-MT

Google working on Drones

It was revealed that Google is working on drones to deliver goods to consumers. Last year, Amazon announced that they were working on creating their own drones. However, Google wants to be able to deliver goods within two minutes. Amazon said that it would take about thirty minutes to deliver products. Google’s drones will also be lowering goods from the air; while Amazon’s drones will land first. It is intriguing to see Google’s plan for drones. I am still skeptical of this form of delivering products. I am worried that some people will try to bring down the drones. What do you think of Google and Amazon drones?

Source: TechCrunch

-MT

Google Grows their Empire by Buying Twitch

It has been confirmed that Google has reached a deal to buy Twitch. Twitch is a live streaming service that allows users to broadcast gameplay footage to the public. It has grown in popularity recently and is tied in with this generations video game systems. It will be interesting to see how Google improves the Twitch ecosystem. It is also rumored that Google bought Twitch for 1 Billion dollars. That is a lot of money considering that Google bought Youtube for 1.65 Billion in 2006. I can’t wait to see what Google does with Twitch!

Source: IGN

-MT

Android Smartwatches and the Future

Yesterday Google revealed the Android SmartWatch. The first two companies to release Android Smartwatches are LG and Samsung. LG is selling their smartwatch for $229 and Samsung is selling their smartwatch for $199. Both watches have 4GB of space and 512MB of ram. Samsung claims that their smartwatch will last one day with it’s 300 mAh battery. The LG Smartwatch has a 400 mAh battery. The smartwatches are compatible with all Android phones running Jelly Bean 4.3 or later. Saying “Ok Google” will allow a person to ask their watch useful questions.

If I had an Android Smartwatch I would use it to check the weekly forecast, sports scores and technology headlines. I used to think that smartwatches were useless, but I have recently changed my mind. It often takes time to pull out a smartphone; it would be so much faster to glance at a smartwatch. The new Android Smartwatches are thin and sleek. I think that the Android Smartwatch has a very bright future and I can’t wait to see what developers do with it.

The LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live are available at the Google Play Store.

-MT

Google Fiber is branching out

Google hopes to bring Google Fiber to nine metro areas and 34 new cities. Google Fiber gives users a faster internet connection. Google Fiber is 100 times faster then basic broadband and is built on Gigabit speeds. I think it would be awesome if New York got Google Fiber, I could really use a faster Internet connection. Currently Google Fiber is available in Kansas City, Austin and Provo. Google wants to bring Google Fiber to Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham. Are you getting Google Fiber if it comes to your city?

Source: Google

-MT

Prescription Glasses meet Google Glass

Today Google announced that there are more Frames available for Google Glass. It is now possible to wear Google Glass with prescription glasses. In the past the only way to wear Google Glass was if the user had contacts or 20/20 vision. It is amazing that Google is allowing users with prescription glasses the opportunity to use Google Glass. I can’t wait till Google Glass is released to the public. Right now the only way to get Google Glass is through Google’s explorer program. The company is also releasing shades that can be used with Google Glass.

Source: Google

-MT

Google is Testing Smart Contacts

Google recently revealed that they are testing Smart Contacts. The Smart Contacts will not be used to take pictures or surf the web. Google revealed that they will be used to check glucose levels. Each contact lens will have a wireless chip and glucose sensor built into it. The Smart Contacts are in early development and Google is talking about the technology with the FDA. This technology could make it easier for those that have diabetes.

-MT

Would you wear Google Glasses?

By MT

Google Glass is a revolutionary new product that allows individuals to do a number of tasks that normally require a smart phone to do. It is essentially a pair of glasses that you wear to take videos, snap pictures, get directions and ask questions. If it catches on it would change the way that humans interact on a daily basis. These glasses feel like they were taken right out of a spy movie. They are even being banned in certain building, including restaurants and bars. This is because of privacy; privacy will be a hurdle for Google and their new product.

Will the average consumer buy Google Glasses?

It depends on the final price, the final design and on how much they promote the product. I think that the average consumer would buy this product if the price is between 300 and 500 dollars. However the test units are selling for 1500 dollars; I don’t think the average consumer is willing to pay 1500 dollars for a pair of smart glasses. I do think there is a market for this product even if the average consumer doesn’t buy it. I believe that technology and gadget enthusiast will buy this product.

Will I purchase the Google Glasses?

Yes, if I have the money I will purchase the Google Glasses when they are released to the general public. I think the ability to take videos and pictures of what the user is seeing is really cool and different. I hope that they make a model that doesn’t require a contract because I am not willing to pay for data. I also hope the glasses have the ability to sync with your smartphone. Google Glass will change the way that individuals see the world.

Sources: Google Glass, Google Glass distribution begins June 6th in Los Angeles, $1500 price