While the Soli technology, which uses a radar system to identify mid-air gestures and enhances facial recognition, is one of the main features of the Pixel 4 series, its real selling points are clearly the instant recording and text conversion functions that utilize numerous artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the camera shooting effects.
Compared with many Android mobile phones this year, the appearance design of the Pixel 4 series of mobile phones is not particularly outstanding, especially the screen design with a relatively low display-to-body ratio. However, hidden under the simple appearance, there are many new designs.
Soli technology, currently exclusive to Pixel 4
First, the application of Soli technology. While the integration of the Soli sensor takes up space, preventing the top bezel from being reduced in the form of a notch, the trade-off is faster and more accurate facial recognition, while also supporting mid-air gesture recognition. Furthermore, Soli technology can proactively sense when the user is about to lift the phone to make an action. In the future, Google will also provide Soli technology application resources to developers, enabling them to create more services supporting related applications.
At this stage, Soli technology will still be used exclusively by the Pixel 4 series of mobile phones. Nanda Ramachandran, Google Pixel Global Product General Manager, said in an interview that there are currently no plans to open it up to OEM manufacturers for import and use. Perhaps they hope to observe the actual user experience feedback through the Pixel 4 first, and wait and see whether developers can create more interesting applications with this technology.
Cooperate with Pixel Neural Core to accelerate various artificial intelligence calculations
This time, Google's self-developed Pixel Neural Core independent computing chip will further accelerate the efficiency of artificial intelligence computing on mobile phones. For example, it can be used to improve the response time of Google Assistant, increase the speech-to-text recognition efficiency of the new voice recorder, and meet the image computing needs of the camera.
Due to the combination of hardware and software applications, many functions of the Pixel 4 series mobile phones are mostly exclusive to users. A similar situation also occurred in the Pixel 3 series.
For example, the new version of the Google Assistant digital assistant service, because it uses a hybrid language model and is collaboratively computed in the cloud, is currently only available in the United States. Even the Pixel 4 series phones sold in Taiwan cannot use the same version of the service, let alone the camera functions that have greatly improved the application of artificial intelligence technology. Many functions are only available on the Pixel 4 series phones and cannot be directly opened to other OEM manufacturers.
More surprising artificial intelligence shooting function
The camera features a 1220-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 1600-megapixel 2x telephoto lens. Combined with the already existing high-resolution zoom technology powered by artificial intelligence, they achieve 8x "clear" telephoto photography. Nanda Ramachandran explained that the decision not to adopt an ultra-wide-angle lens capable of capturing a wider image range stems from the fact that telephoto photography is still the most popular use case. This, in turn, may also be a demonstration of Google's progress in applying artificial intelligence.
As for the Pixel 3's single 4-megapixel video camera compared to the Pixel 800, Nanda Ramachandran explained that since the lens has a 90-degree shooting angle, it can basically meet most wide-angle shooting needs, unlike the previous two-lens combination to capture a single wide-angle image. This is also to accommodate the sensor components used by Soli technology.
In terms of camera functions, it enhances HDR+ shooting effects and a more accurate portrait mode, which can even capture the edges of pet hair or shallow depth of field portrait effects across the entire body. It also supports real-time adjustment of exposure and contrast during the shooting process, allowing users to dynamically adjust and shoot different styles of images.
In the Pixel 4's night photography, Google has further integrated extensive artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, enabling users to capture stunning, star-filled images in low-light conditions while also removing the noise associated with increased brightness. Machine learning also automatically corrects white balance, ensuring accurate white balance in all lighting conditions.
At the same time, Google also stated that it will further strengthen the application of artificial intelligence technology in the future to make the camera shooting performance of mobile phones even more outstanding. For example, the future goal is to allow users to capture clear images of the environment in extremely dark night scenes and maintain a clear image of the moon in the sky without causing overexposure at the edges.
Taiwan once again becomes one of the first markets
Both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and feature 6GB of memory and either 64GB or 128GB of storage. The phones come in three colors: Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh So Orange. The Just Black model has a glossy piano finish, while the Clearly White and Oh So Orange models have a matte finish, but the frames have a thick plastic feel.
兩款手機分別採用5.7吋OLED螢幕與6.3吋OLED螢幕，同樣都支援90Hz畫面更新率設計的Smooth Display螢幕規格，電池容量則分別為2800mAh與3700mAh，並且都支援18W快充。
The new version of the Google Assistant app adds the ability to wake it up by picking up the phone and squeezing the sides, and to directly ask questions and interact. There is no need to pre-wake up the Google Assistant with the words "Hey, Google" or "Ok, Google" (but it can basically still be woken up with keywords or tapping the Google icon). At the same time, users can also ensure privacy and security through the Titan M chip, or further delete any recorded voice interactions.
In terms of price, the Pixel 4 series will be launched in the US market with a starting price of US$799 and is expected to be available on October 10. At the same time, it has been confirmed that it will cooperate with major telecom operators in the United States on tariff plans, and it has also been confirmed that it will cooperate with Taiwan Mobile in Taiwan on tariff plans. At the same time, the suggested retail prices of each unit are NT$24 and NT$24600 respectively, and will also be launched on October 29550.
Many accessories are launched simultaneously
At the Made by Google event, Google not only showcased its own Pixel 4 series protective case accessories, but also peripheral accessories for the Pixel 4 made by its partners, including protective cases, adapter lenses, game controllers, rugged protective cases, as well as small wireless photo printers, wireless charging pads, etc.
