Google on Wednesday ramped up its mobile arsenal, upgrading
its Nexus line with a new tablet and smartphone, and unveiling its revamped
Android software, to be dubbed "Lollipop."
The US tech giant also announced the launch of a streaming
media player for music, movies and videos, which can also allow users to play
games via the Android TV device.
"Lollipop" or Android 5.0, the upgraded operating
system for mobile, "is designed to be flexible, to work on all your
devices and to be customized for you the way you see fit," said Google
vice president Sundar Pichai, who heads the Android operations.
With the new operating system, according to the Android
Website, "The songs, photos, apps, and even recent searches from one of
your Android devices can be immediately enjoyed across all of your Android
devices."
The new devices give Google and its Android partners a
broader portfolio to compete against Apple, which launched two upgraded
large-screen iPhones last month and is expected to unveil new iPads on Thursday.
The Nexus 6 smartphone becomes the newest and largest of the
Google-branded handsets, and is produced by Motorola, which Google bought in
2012 and is in the process of selling to China's Lenovo.
(Also see: Google Nexus 6 Price and Availability Details
Confirmed)
This aluminum frame device has a six-inch high resolution
screen and a 13-megapixel camera.
"The large screen is complemented by dual front-facing
stereo speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound, making it as great for movies
and gaming as it is for doing work," Google said in a statement.
"It also comes with a Turbo Charger, so you can get up
to six hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge."
(Also see: Google Nexus 6 vs. Google Nexus 5 specifications
compared)
On the tablet front, Google partnered with Taiwan-based HTC
for the 8.9-inch Nexus 9.
The brushed-metal tablet "is small enough to easily
carry around in one hand, yet big enough to work on," Google said.
"And since more and more people want to have the same
simple experience they have on their tablets when they have to do real work, we
designed a keyboard folio that magnetically attaches to the Nexus 9, folds into
two different angles and rests securely on your lap like a laptop."
Google did not disclose pricing for the devices, but said
they would be available for pre-order later this month.
The media player will deliver video apps to a television
screen for consumers looking to supplement or go without cable or satellite.
