What you need to know:
- This event marked a departure from Google’s tradition of unveiling its Pixel phones in the autumn, with the latest models being announced in August for the first time since the Pixel’s debut in 2016.
- The earlier timing of the announcement is seen as a strategic move to stay competitive with rivals like Apple, which is set to unveil a new iPhone in September.
On Tuesday, Google introduced its latest Pixel smartphones, featuring enhanced integration of its artificial intelligence technology as part of its push to embed AI into its hardware.
The new Pixel models boast a unique feature allowing users to search for information within screenshots. Additionally, Android users can now access Gemini, Google’s chatbot, as an overlay on other apps to answer questions or generate content.
“There have been many promises and previews of AI, but not enough real-world usefulness. Today, we’re delivering on that promise,” said Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of devices and services.
Osterloh declared, “We’re fully in the Gemini era,” addressing an audience of engineers, executives, analysts, and media at a larger-than-usual event at Alphabet’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.
This event marked a departure from Google’s tradition of unveiling its Pixel phones in the autumn, with the latest models being announced in August for the first time since the Pixel’s debut in 2016.
Avi Greengart, lead analyst at Techsponential, praised the event’s scale and completeness, noting that Google demonstrated its leadership in AI.
The earlier timing of the announcement is seen as a strategic move to stay competitive with rivals like Apple, which is set to unveil a new iPhone in September. In June, Apple revealed updates for its devices, including new generative AI features and integration with ChatGPT, the chatbot from Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
At the event, Google showcased several live demos of new Gemini functions, including a voice conversation feature. However, a demonstration attempting to use Gemini to cross-reference a concert poster with a calendar took multiple tries to succeed.
The Pixel 9, with a 6.3-inch display, starts at $799, $100 more than its predecessor. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a 6.8-inch display, and the Pixel 9 Pro, which includes enhanced camera features, will begin shipping later in August, with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold arriving in September.
Preorders for the new devices started on Tuesday.
“Consumers are looking for AI to help with organization—managing communications, calendars, and overall life management—and content creation,” said IDC analyst Linn Huang. “Google has succeeded in addressing both needs.”
As of Q2 2024, Google holds less than 1% of the global smartphone market share, trailing behind Samsung’s 18.9% and Apple’s 15.8%. In the U.S., Google is the fourth-largest smartphone maker with a 4.5% share.
The Pixel line not only showcases Google’s advances but also supports the Android ecosystem, which is used by device manufacturers such as Samsung and is installed on over 80% of smartphones worldwide.
In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google announced updates to its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 3, and its Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds. The Pixel Watch now includes a “Loss of Pulse” feature, which can detect if a user’s heart stops and alert emergency services. This feature will be available in the UK and the EU.
Furthermore, Google and Peloton revealed a new partnership that will offer Fitbit Premium subscribers access to Peloton’s library of training classes.
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