This year, Google, or now Alphabet, decided to begin becoming the future hardware giant it wants to be. Alphabet intends on building devices for AR, VR, smart cars, phones and the Internet of Things. This year, Google unveiled Google Home, Google WIFI, Day Dream and the Google Pixel. The Google Pixel is their first phone made under the complete control of Google. In terms of its comparison to the current market, the Pixel performs well against its premium competition. Of course, Google got lucky that everyone hated the Note 7’s newest feature. The Pixel's camera has become the feature everyone is talking about. MKBHD showed a video of a Tesla completely filmed on the Pixel and it was outstanding. The second biggest feature is the Google Assistant. Under many normal phone comparisons, the Pixel is a slightly better than average phone, but missing many competitive features we're accustomed to, such as waterproofing, wireless charging, capacitive or toggle buttons. But the Pixel more than makes up for these in its software. These are the features many of these reviews are missing, that in my opinion make the Pixel a definite buy.

Here is the Google Pixel introduction, with a straight up diss on Apple.

In terms of an average smartphone, the Pixel is one of the best ones this year. The iPhone and Galaxy S7 will be competitive, though. However, this is no average smartphone - this one is set for the next generation of technologies, soon to come.

Here are some of the new features I want reviewers to talk more about, and what makes the Google Pixel a whole new type of phone.

Trusted Voice

One of my favorite features of this phone is called Trusted Voice. This is not exclusive to the Pixel, it’s been rolled out on other Android phones previously, but the Google Pixel is one of the few phones that has it. Trusted Voice will allow you to unlock your phone using your voice with the command “OK Google.” The phone does not just recognize the phrase “OK Google”, it recognizes if it is your voice or not and will remain locked if someone else just says the words. In fact, if someone else says “OK Google”, the next time you say “OK Google” you will be required to use your fingerprint or password to unlock it. Some have mentioned security concerns with this feature, but unless you have someone following you around recording you I think you'll be fine. I love this feature because now that it is getting cold here in New York, I don’t have to take my gloves off in the cold to unlock my phone. I just say “OK Google” and it's unlocked.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant is the new feature exclusive to the Pixel. This is an updated Google Now, and this one is far more conversational, almost to a dangerous extent. I find myself talking to Google Assistant way too often for my own good. The reason is that Google Assistant has its own personality, and is definitely Google showing off its prowess with AI. Some have called the Google Assistant the first AI experience, and it is almost creepy how human it is sometimes. The ability to hold conversations is just too much fun. It even has its favorite Pokemon and tends to refer to the internet as itself at times, which makes sense. I’ve used Siri, I've used Google Now, and I've used Cleverbot. Google Assistant is the most consistently useful, and also the most consistently fun to talk to.

Here are some examples of its conversation capabilities using the Allo app:

You can also use Google Assistant through the Google Home, and this assistant is under the same account as yours and will remember things.

Google Fi

Google Fi is Google's own Cellular carrier. It uses coverage from Sprint, T-Mobile, and other wifi hotspots for as low as $30 a month. The coverage is adaptable - as you move from one area of higher coverage to another, Google Fi will automatically switch between those coverage zones, giving you the best coverage possible in that area. If you are someone who uses relatively little data on the go and lives in a city where T-Mobile, Sprint or both have good coverage, this is an option for you. As of right now, it doesn't seem like you can purchase the Really Blue Pixel off of this site (Google Fi), and that's the Pixel I want. Personally, I will likely stay with Verizon - despite its higher prices, I already have a contract with them and it will keep things easier for me. But in the long run, Fi is something I will continue to look at. As of now, Fi is only available on Nexus phones and the Pixel.

DayDream

DayDream is Google’s new VR project, and I must say its the best VR experience I have had to date. I started with Google Cardboard, but Cardboard has this insane gyroscopic drift where I have to continually reset and calibrate the phone so the center of the projection is actually in front of me. DayDream fixed this. They also added in a remote that allows you to toggle things on the screen and will become the controller for future video games based off of this platform. DayDream only costs $80. That’s a relatively low cost for VR, especially considering the quality of the experience. DayDream's platform will become integrated with Unity and other open source developers. DayDream may be just the beginning of successful VR gaming on a broader level than we have seen thus far. Apparently, DayDream currently has a Harry Potter game in development for it, something I’m very excited about.

The Pixel Camera

Nothing compares to the automation and incredible imagery that the Google Pixel camera is capable of offering. From what I have seen thus far, it eliminates the need for me to edit my photos on another Google app (Snapseed) and instead edits the picture in real time with its HDR+ mode. It creates the contrast and saturation I like. It also minimizes noise well beyond even my DSLR in manual settings and takes better low light pictures than my Note 4. But the Pixel is not just good for pictures, it's good for videos too. Here is MKBHD’s video filmed with the Google Pixel:

Open Source (Google vs. Apple)

One of the best things about Google Home, Google WIFI, DayDream and Pixel is that they are not isolated technologies. Unlike Apple’s ecosystem of devices, Google’s is far more open source. Android is well known for how easily people can edit and tweak it to their likings. The use of SDK, APK and third party developers is what makes Android so good. For me, if these features of open source and third-party add-ons come to all of Google's hardware, they will be incredible devices. I can't wait for someone to make the third party app to allow me to talk to Google Home as if it is Jarvis from Iron Man. That day is getting closer and closer.