Google Pixel smartphones: Will specs, 649 starting price, assistant make 'made by Google' matter?

Google is betting that "Made By Google" will matter in the hardware market as it rolled out a pair of high-end smartphones using its Pixel brand. The real pitch: Google can integrate hardware and software with artificial intelligence at the core. CNET: Pixel and Pixel XL unveiled: Google's post-Nexus phones come out swinging What remains to be seen is how tech buyers will value Google as a hardware player and whether they'll pay up for devices promising an integrated experience from the search giant. After all, the Pixel devices start at 649. Rest assured that the Alphabet's Google is giving another run at hardware.