Google Pixel and and XL variants pulled from store
San Francisco, April 12: Google has removed the original first-generation Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones from its Google Store.
First spotted by Android Police, the landing page for the 2016 Pixels on Google Store now redirects to another page with just two links -- Pixel 2 and accessories for the Pixel 2.
"The Pixel had a good run, and it probably wasn't selling a lot of units. Google knocked a bit off the price of the first-gen phone after the Pixel 2 launched, but it still started at $549. The Pixel 2 was just $100 more,"Google confirmed to Digital Trends.
"Some third-party retailers are still selling the phone, though we're not sure how much longer that will last. Currently, Amazon is selling both new and refurbished versions of the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL," reported Digital Trends.
India was among the first six countries where Pixel was launched in October 2016, starting at Rs 57,000.
Pixel was the first smartphone with Google Assistant -- a built-in AI programme that works as an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator like Apple's "Siri".
Pixel came pre-installed with Google Duo video calling app and messaging app Allo.
Pixel smartphones were fitted with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 821 Quad core (2x2.15 Ghz and 2x1.6 Ghz) processors and 4GB RAM.
Google shipped 3.9 million Pixel and Pixel 2 devices in 2017 which is nearly double the units it sold in 2016.
According to Francisco Jeronimo, Research Director at International Data Corporation (IDC), "#GooglePixel shipments continue to grow, but they still represent a tiny portion of the smartphone market".
Google launched its flagship Pixel 2 smartphone in India in November 2017 at a starting price of Rs 61,000 for the 64GB variant.
According to media reports, the company is set to launch Pixel 3 in 2018.
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SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday.
The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters.
The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added.
The second sexual assault complaint was received by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, which it forwarded to the state police chief.
ALSO READ: Cong expels rape-accused MLA Mamkootathil from party's primary membership
Following this, the Crime Branch registered a case and launched an investigation.
Crime Branch officials said the email complaint contained only the sender's email ID and no other contact details.
As part of the probe, they have sent a reply email requesting that the complainant contact them and provide her statement.
The complainant has alleged that she was sexually assaulted under the false promise of marriage, a Crime Branch official said.
However, details such as the location and date of the alleged incident are not currently available to the police.
The SIT will attempt to trace the sender of the email and record her statement, which is crucial for further investigation, the officer said.
Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party on Thursday after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail petition in another rape case.
Police said he is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway in Kerala and neighbouring states.
