Google begins direct sales of Pixel devices in India via official online Google Store
HighlightsGoogle has initiated direct online sales of its hardware products, including Pixel smartphones, watches, and earbuds, in India through the official Google Store website. The company is preparing to open its first physical retail stores in India, aiming to replicate the successful retail strategy employed by Apple Inc. over the past two decades. Currently, Apple dominates the premium smartphone market in India with a 55% share, while Google's Pixel holds a mere 2% share, according to estimates from the research group Counterpoint.
Google on Thursday began direct online sales of its popular hardware devices in India, including Pixel phones, watches and earbuds, ahead of an anticipated launch of its first physical stores in the South Asian nation.
The Alphabet-owned firm said it has for the first time enabled direct online purchases for Indian users on the official Google Store website. The company currently sells it products in India through authorised retailers and via Walmart-backed e-commerce platform Flipkart.
Apple, its bigger rival in the premium smartphone category, already sells its phones directly to Indian users, and operates its own retail stores in Mumbai and in New Delhi, with more planned.
Google is close to deciding on locations in India where it will open its first physical retail stores outside the United States, Reuters reported in February.
In launching the physical stores, Google has sought to mirror a retail approach that helped Apple Inc rake in billions of dollars in the last two decades by showcasing its own products. Apple has 500 plus stores worldwide.
Pixel phones in India cost from about $360 to $1,900 for top-end models. Apple's iPhones cost from about $520-$2,100. Google has also started making
Pixel smartphones
in India.
In 2024, Apple dominated the local market for premium phones, priced above $520, with a roughly 55% share, compared with Pixel's 2% share, estimates from research group Counterpoint showed. The fast-growing Indian market has about 712 million smartphone users currently.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Tata Harrier EV teased on social media. Will it climb to the mountain peak?
The upcoming Tata Harrier EV is built on the company's new plus architecture. Notify me Tata EV has teased the much-awaited Harrier EV over social media just days ahead of its launch. The Tata Harrier EV is slated to launch on June 3 as the new flagship for the Indian carmaker's electric vehicle portfolio. The teaser showcases the SUV at the edge of a mountain, ready to climb to the peak. However, the mystery is not revealed yet and it is expected that the Harrier EV will be showcased, tackling the steep incline in the full advertisement will be released later. Check out the teaser below: The Tata Harrier EV will utilise the company's new plus architecture to combine performance, advanced technology, and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. While Tata has yet to release detailed specifications and features, here's what we can expect from this upcoming electric SUV. Tata Harrier EV: Exterior The Tata Harrier EV retains much of the design language of its diesel counterpart but includes distinct elements to signify its EV status. It features a closed front grille—a common design for EVs that improves aerodynamics. The front and rear bumpers have been subtly refreshed, taking cues from the vertical slats seen on the Tata Nexon EV. Another noticeable change is the use of aero alloy wheels that enhance efficiency while also giving the vehicle a strong presence. The LED lights include connected daytime running lights (DRLs), and the rear lamps closely resemble those on the standard Harrier. Tata Harrier EV: Interior and features Although Tata hasn't officially unveiled the Harrier EV's interior, it will likely share the dashboard design with the ICE version of the Harrier. The cabin is expected to feature a black and white dual-tone colour scheme, similar to the interior aesthetics seen in the latest Nexon EV and Curvv EV models. In terms of features, many amenities will likely carry over from the standard Harrier, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats. Premium upgrades may include dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate. Notably, the "Summon Mode" will allow the vehicle to move forward and backwards remotely via the key fob, and a passenger screen is anticipated to be part of the setup. Safety will also be prioritised, potentially offering around seven airbags, a 360-degree camera system, and Level 2 ADAS technologies for enhanced driving assistance. Tata Harrier EV: Specifications Tata Motors has confirmed that the Harrier EV will feature an all-wheel-drive, dual-motor configuration, marking the brand's inaugural all-electric SUV with this drivetrain type. While the specific battery specifications are still under wraps, it is expected to include a large battery pack capable of achieving a range exceeding 500 km on a single charge. Additionally, a more affordable variant with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive option may also be available for consumers seeking a budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing range. Tata Harrier EV: Expected price and rivals The Tata Harrier EV is anticipated to be priced at ₹ 30 lakh (ex-showroom). It will face competition from upcoming electric SUVs like the Mahindra XEV 9e and the BYD Atto 3. tata, tata motors, tata harrier ev, tata harrier ev specs, tata harrier ev features, tata harrier ev battery capacity, tata harrier ev price, tata harrier ev expected price, tata harrier ev launch, tata harrier ev range, tata harrier ev launch in india, electric vehicle, ev, harrier ev teaser, tata harrier ev teaser Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date: 31 May 2025, 08:30 AM IST
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Foreign oil partners to get first right of refusal in Indian exploration projects: Puri
New Delhi: Foreign oil and gas companies entering technical partnerships with Indian firms will be granted the right of first refusal (ROFR) in the event of hydrocarbon discoveries, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. The minister cited state-run ONGC's recent collaboration with BP for the Mumbai High offshore field and Oil India Ltd's agreement with Brazil's Petrobras in the Andaman Sea basin as examples where such provisions are in place. However, no clarification was provided on the exact contractual terms offered to BP and Petrobras. The ROFR mechanism gives the foreign partner the option to match any offer received by the Indian asset owner from a third party before sale or transfer. Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, Puri said foreign firms may prefer this model over competitive bidding as it reduces financial exposure. 'It's better that they come in as technical partners, for which they will be paid, and when you strike energy, they'll have the right of first refusal,' he said. On global crude prices, Puri said they are likely to stay close to USD 65 per barrel due to sufficient supply in the market. 'There are enough supplies in the market. I see global prices, and here I am, very careful, to be in the range of USD 65 per barrel. My sense is that prices will hold,' he said. Asked about possible fuel price cuts, the minister said, 'If prices remain like this, then going forward, these are things which you can legitimately expect.' Puri informed that over 1 million square kilometres of sedimentary basins that were previously marked as 'no-go' zones have been opened for exploration. This has led to 37 per cent of the bids under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) coming from these newly available areas. Speaking on domestic oil production and refining, he said India's refining capacity, which currently stands at 260 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA), is projected to rise to 309.5 MMTPA by 2028. He said India is shifting from teapot refineries to larger refining hubs. On India's clean energy transition , the minister highlighted rapid progress in ethanol blending. He said the country had already achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2025, up from 1.4 per cent in 2014, ahead of its 2026 target. Puri reiterated the government's target of bringing green hydrogen production costs down to USD 1 per kg within a decade. He also underlined the potential of large-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in countries including India, Brazil, the United States, and Canada. The minister said India imported 5.6 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2024, spending USD 139 billion. To reduce dependence, the country is exploring domestic resources and diversifying import sources from 27 to 40 countries, including Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Canada and Argentina. India's oil marketing companies reported profits of ₹1.29 lakh crore in the last financial year, and the figure could match previous highs if ₹40,000 crore in pending dues are recovered, Puri said. The minister said that 22,000 km of gas pipeline has been laid as of 2024, with a target of expanding to 33,000 km by 2030. He said domestic gas availability has improved and global prices have stabilised, which will help in boosting industrial and residential consumption. On Compressed Biogas (CBG), Puri said the government has set a target of setting up 5,000 plants. He added that the production of Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) as a by-product remains a key revenue stream for producers. He said land availability and pricing mechanisms will be key to the pace of implementation. Regarding the Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, the minister said there are around 10.3 crore beneficiaries, and the country has over 33 crore LPG connections. Rajiv Memani, President Designate of CII, said, 'Today, India imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil and a significant share of natural gas. Some projections suggest it may reach 90 per cent by 2030. India also imports 50–55 per cent of natural gas. This reliance underscores the urgency to diversify our energy mix, enhance domestic production, and accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels.' Puri also pointed to the growth of energy startups, breakthrough discoveries, and ongoing innovation as indicators of progress. He emphasised the need for collaboration between auto manufacturers and industry leaders to drive clean energy initiatives.
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
U.S. antitrust case against Google sees judge wrestling with far-reaching remedy proposals
The fate and fortunes of one of the world's most powerful tech companies now sit in the hands of a U.S. judge wrestling with whether to impose far-reaching changes upon Google in the wake of its dominant search engine being declared an illegal monopoly. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta heard closing arguments Friday from Justice Department lawyers who argued that a radical shake-up is needed to promote a free and fair market. Their proposed remedies include a ban on Google paying to lock its search engine in as the default on smart devices and an order requiring the company to sell its Chrome browser. Google's legal team argued that only minor concessions are needed and urged Mehta not to unduly punish the company with a harsh ruling that could squelch future innovations. Google also argued that upheaval triggered by advances in artificial intelligence already is reshaping the search landscape, as conversational search options are rolling out from AI startups that are hoping to use the Department of Justice's four-and-half-year-old case to gain the upper hand in the next technological frontier. It was an argument that Mehta appeared to give serious consideration as he marveled at the speed at which the AI industry was growing. He also indicated he was still undecided on how much AI's potential to shake up the search market should be incorporated in his forthcoming ruling. 'This is what I've been struggling with,' Mehta said. Mehta spoke frequently at Friday's hearing, often asking probing and pointed questions to lawyers for both sides, while hinting that he was seeking a middle ground between the two camps' proposed remedies. 'We're not looking to kneecap Google,' the judge said, adding that the goal was to 'kickstart' competitors' ability to challenge the search giant's dominance. Mehta will spend much of the summer mulling a decision that he plans to issue before Labour Day. Google has already vowed to appeal the ruling that branded its search engine as a monopoly, a step it can't take until the judge orders a remedy. Google's attorney John Schmidtlein asked Mehta to put a 60-day delay on implementing any proposed changes, which Justice prosecutor David Dahlquist immediately objected to. 'We believe the market's waited long enough,' Dahlquist said. While both sides of this showdown agree that AI is an inflection point for the industry's future, they have disparate views on how the shift will affect Google. The Justice Department contends that AI technology by itself won't rein in Google's power, arguing additional legal restraints must be slapped on a search engine that's the main reason its parent company, Alphabet Inc., is valued at $2 trillion. Google has already been deploying AI to transform its search engine i nto an answer engine, an effort that has so far helped maintain its perch as the internet's main gateway despite inroads being made by alternatives from the likes of OpenAI and Perplexity. The Justice Department contends a divestiture of the Chrome browser that Google CEO Sundar Pichai helped build nearly 20 years ago would be among the most effective countermeasures against Google continuing to amass massive volumes of browser traffic and personal data that could be leveraged to retain its dominance in the AI era. Executives from both OpenAi and Perplexity testified last month that they would be eager bidders for the Chrome browser if Mehta orders its sale. The debate over Google's fate also has pulled in opinions from Apple, mobile app developers, legal scholars and startups. Apple, which collects more than $20 billion annually to make Google the default search engine on the iPhone and its other devices, filed briefs arguing against the Justice Department's proposed 10-year ban on such lucrative lock-in agreements. Apple told the judge that prohibiting the contracts would deprive the company of money that it funnels into its own research, and that the ban might even make Google even more powerful because the company would be able to hold onto its money while consumers would end up choosing its search engine anyway. The Cupertino, California, company also told the judge a ban wouldn't compel it to build its own search engine to compete against Google. In other filings, a group of legal scholars said the Justice Department's proposed divestiture of Chrome would be an improper penalty that would inject unwarranted government interference in a company's business. Meanwhile, former Federal Trade Commission officials James Cooper and Andrew Stivers warned that another proposal that would require Google to share its data with rival search engines 'does not account for the expectations users have developed over time regarding the privacy, security, and stewardship' of their personal information. Mehta said Friday that compared to some of the Justice Department's other proposals, there was 'less speculation' about what might happen in the broader market if Google were forced to divest of Chrome. Schmidtlein said that was untrue, and such a ruling would be a wild overreach. 'I think that would be inequitable in the extreme,' he said. Dahlquist mocked some of the arguments against divesting Chrome. 'Google thinks it's the only one who can invest things,' he said.
