Google has scored a few wins throughout 2020, but there’s plenty more that the company could bring us in 2021.
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority 2020 was an interesting year for Google‘s product portfolio. Its Pixel smartphone range jumped ship from the premium-tier segment to a more inexpensive price point with the Pixel 5. Combined with the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G, Google’s handset range took a sharp turn down affordability avenue. Google also spent 2020 tinkering with its approach to media streaming. As well as the overly-ambitious launch of the free version of the Stadia cloud gaming platform, big G unveiled the Chromecast with Google TV to bolster its streaming hardware. More controversial was the consolidation of Play Music into YouTube Music. The choice to end free Google Photo storage next year was also not well-received. Despite all this, Google’s media strategy still lacks the focus of its competitors. The company hasn’t given its Chrome OS products as much love. There’s no refreshed high-end Pixelbook or Pixel Slate, leaving December 2019’s mid-tier Pixelbook Go as the latest release. In a year that Apple shook up the laptop market with its move to Arm-powered Macs, Google’s PC strategy felt more than a little complacent. See also: The 10 best Google products you can buy Outside of hardware, Google played a key role in the development and deployment of COVID-19 contract tracing apps around the world. In the courtroom, it was business as usual too. Google had to fend off lawsuits from Epic Games, a European Commission investigation into its acquisition of Fitbit, and a class-action lawsuit over data tracking in Chrome’s incognito mode. Sadly unsurprising stuff in today’s tech industry. Along with a few new entries in Google’s smart home portfolio,2020 was a steady year for Mountain View. However, there’s still so much more that the company could offer us in 2021. Here’s what we’re hoping to see.1. Return of the high-end Pixel Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority The Google Pixel 5 has not long landed but we’re already excited for next year’s Pixel 6. The seemingly small differences between the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 leave 2020’s portfolio a little cramped. The Pixel 5’s price point would be a bit easier to justify if the phone was just a little more high-end. Not to mention there’s a niche market of Google fans longing for another premium-tier entry. However, we don’t particularly long for a return to bleeding-edge performance and $1,000+ XL options. Google has clearly hit its stride with affordable pricing, and it’s working out much better than previous flirtations with the premium market. That said, aiming just a little higher-end next time around would help the Pixel series. It could then compete a little better with other affordable flagships like the iPhone 12. Read more: It’s time Google updated Pixel camera hardware to match its stellar software Personally, I’d like the Pixel 6 to retain its reasonable price and features, with the main focus on revamping Google’s photography prowess. While the Pixel 5 still takes some great pictures, my experience with most of 2020’s best camera phones reveals that Google’s dated camera hardware is falling behind. A reasonably priced Pixel 6 with a best-in-class camera would be hard to turn down. Make it happen, Google.2. At least one new Chromebook Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority It’s been a year since Google’s last Pixelbook announcement, so we’re overdue a new product.
