Google has uploaded two new instructional videos for its self-branded flagships, the Pixel and the Pixel XL. The company is riding high on its latest premium offering, boasting about them profusely.
By now everyone has heard of Google's "Made by Google" marketing approach, and one of the new videos seem to be a direct step-by-step instruction on how to switch from Apple iPhone to Google Pixel, rendering the company as hyper-intent on adopting users from the other side.
While the new smartphones aren't entirely "made" by Google, since the two are, by some measure, HTC's handiwork, Google's message is clearly visible here. This is the first phone from the company to drop the "Nexus" naming scheme alongside dropping the manufacturer who made the phones. "Made by Google" is much of a promise as it is a seal of quality that ensure users will definitely get the best Android experience if they use these phones.
The two new videos Google uploaded on YouTube highlight the Pixel's ability to do a system transfer for those who want to switch to Google's flagship, coming from the iPhone. Google's advertising has been reaching out particularly to high-end users, especially those who own premium phones like the iPhone 7 or the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.
True to its intent, the two videos have a portrait orientation, with two huge black bars on either side when watched on a desktop, since the videos are meant to be watched on a smartphone screen in portrait mode.
"Switching from iPhone" demonstrates a brief how-to guide that takes a user through the steps needed to migrate important data like contacts, messages and whatnot from the iPhone to the Pixel.
The second instructional video is called "Getting Started," a brief but very informative video companion that's useful if you actually end up purchasing the device. It's a run-of-the-mill rundown of Android's basic features, so previous Android owners wouldn't find something noteworthy from the video, but less experienced and even Android neophytes can get a general overview of how to use the device for the first time.
It shows what different buttons on the Pixel correspond to, how to use notification toggles and quick settings, the fingerprint scanner called "Pixel Imprint" and so forth. It's slightly disappointing that the video runs on a slower framerate than the real world experience of actually using the Pixel, but the slowed down version is catering to those unfamiliar with Android.
The Pixel and Pixel XL is Google's first self-branded smartphone, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processors running and Android 7.0 Nougat. It rocks a 12.3 megapixel rear-facing camera with the highest score ever on a DxOMark Mobile test. The Pixel sports a Full HD display, while its larger sibling sports a QHD display.
The phones are available from Google's own online store.
