San Francisco, Sep 29 : Google's Indian-origin chief executive Sundar Pichai took to the stage on Tuesday to unveil new software, hardware and service from the company's stable to counter competition from rivals like Apple, Microsoft and Samsung.

Before announcing the latest releases - two smartphones Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, second generation Chromecast, an audio Chromecast and a new 10.2-inch tablet named Google Pixel C, Pichai said: "It was great receiving the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the (Silicon) Valley". 

Modi made a two-day trip to the West Coast where he met chief executives and founders of several big technology companies during his five day US visit.

In addition, Pichai said that the company would also launch its sixth Android iteration named Marshmallow to its Nexus devices. The new OS is expected to introduce new app permissions, custom Chrome Tabs, fingerprint support and improved power management.

According to Google, the company has added 400 million new users to the Android ecosystem in one year. "Previously we had 1 billion 30-day period active users but now we have 1.4 billion 30-day active users," Pichai said.

"With people in emerging economies moving to smartphones especially with our Android One initiative that offers high-quality yet affordable smartphones, we are on route to meet the target of getting the next billion users online," he said.

He also said that more Chromebooks were being adopted in US schools. "Nearly 30,000 Choromebooks were activated in the month of September alone. Our Android for Work is also picking up with 10,000 firms already adapting it partially or fully," he said.

Companies which have adopted Android for Work include World Bank, US Army and Guardian Live. Pichai also said that it would introduce updates to several applications like Google Photos and Google Play Music.