Written by Stephanie Ou     Announcement of new technology products dominated tech news this week with the reveal of the PlayStation 4 and two new Google products, Google Glass and Google Chromebook Pixel. The first of its kind, the Google Chromebook Pixel provides users with touchscreen capabilities, very high screen resolution, and powerful cloud abilities. With a battery life of five hours and resolution of 4.3 million pixels, the Pixel enables users to swipe through their photo albums and move around programs and windows faster and easier with a simple touch.  Customers, and particularly heavy cloud-users, can now pick up their very own Wi-Fi-only version of the Pixel in stores for $1,299, and in a few months, the 4G LTE version for $1,449. One of the main features of the Pixel that Google executives emphasize is its terabyte worth of Google Drive cloud data storage.  Because of this, when announcing the release of the pixel, Sundar Pichai, Chrome’s Senior Vice President, specifically stated that the Pixel is especially well-designed for cloud users. The Pixel will also have QuickOffice, an application similar to Microsoft Office, already built in which is compatible with the programs that Google Drive currently uses. With technology constantly advancing and the widespread use of the iPhone, Android, iPad, and other tablets, Pichai believes that touchscreen-capable laptops are the future.

        Despite the several innovative aspects of the Pixel, some users noted the issues that the Pixel engenders. One problem with the Pixel that users cite includes how many websites are not designed for such high screen resolution and for a laptop’s touchscreen capabilities. However, Pichai is working with website developers to encourage them to create more touchscreen-compatible sites which will make the design of the Android and Pixel very similar. Another complaint is that the one terabyte of Google Drive data storage is only free for the first three years; beyond that time span, users will begin to pay $50 per month to store additional items to their Google Drive. Access to files stored within the first three years will still be permitted. Additionally, the cost of the Pixel may be considered too expensive by users who are not extreme cloud enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Pixels’ competitors feature similar functionality and specs, such as Samsung’s Chromebook and Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga, and are priced much cheaper at $250 and $1,049, respectively. However, at the same time, no other laptop currently has the Pixel’s premier feature of touchscreen but for how long will that remain the case?

         While the Pixel has many compelling features, it is evident that Google is breaking new boundaries and entering a realm in which hardware manufacturers have yet to explore. Given the recent bad press about Microsoft’s Windows 8 and touchscreen-compatible tablets and hybrid tablet-computers that run this operating system, Google’s Pixel seems like it be a flop. It is also entering the market at a very high price ranging, focusing on a small range of customers who can afford a premium-priced laptop. However, with the added perks of QuickOffice, plenty of cloud storage, and the backing of the Google brand behind it, it very well could be a viable product. In the coming months, consumers will decide whether this product is worth purchasing and will ultimately determine Google’s success into the PC market.

 Sources:http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/21/tech/innovation/chrome-pixel-touchscreen-laptop/index.htmlhttp://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&NS=16&AID=9COR001900&an=USAT000020130222e92m0000c&cat=a&ep=ASIhttp://theweek.com/article/index/240496/the-5-biggest-problems-with-googles-chromebook-pixel-and-what-to-buy-insteadhttp://techland.time.com/2013/02/21/googles-chomebook-pixel-the-chromebook-goes-high-end/