Google’s subsequent large {hardware} occasion is ready for August 13 at 10 a.m. PT. That’s roughly a two-month head begin for the Made By Google occasion, which has historically occurred mid-fall. It additionally, notably, will discover the corporate saying its newest flagship, the Pixel 9, forward of the iPhone 16. Apple’s newest is ready for a September announcement.
Google hasn’t given justification for the shuffle. Maybe issues shall be too noisy lower than a month forward of what has already turn out to be probably the most weird presidential election in fashionable U.S. historical past. The corporate additionally little question has lots to debate on the Gemini entrance. The brand new gadgets will nearly definitely debut key new generative AI options forward of the remainder of the Android subject.
One custom Google’s caught with this 12 months is the pre-event gadget reveal. The transfer inevitably sucks among the oxygen out of the room earlier than the massive occasion, but it surely’s confirmed an efficient method to generate pleasure in the course of the summer time client electronics doldrums. Earlier this week, Google confirmed off two new gadgets: the Pixel 9 Professional and the Pixel 9 Fold, the road’s most premium entries.
Telephones constructed for “the Gemini period”
Each carry the tagline “A (foldable) telephone constructed for the Gemini period,” setting the stage for the most recent in a protracted line of AI-themed tech occasions. Gemini took middle stage at Google I/O again in Could, although the developer-focused occasion noticed far more information targeted on laying the groundwork for the corporate’s AI ambitions.
In truth, Google made a acutely aware try and distance its client {hardware} choices from the developer convention, saying the budget-focused Pixel 8a days forward of the occasion. Notably, probably the most intriguing consumer-facing Android AI function this 12 months didn’t debut on a Pixel gadget in any respect. Circle to Search arrived first on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 again in January.
Apple made its personal AI splash at WWDC in June with the launch of Apple Intelligence. Cupertino doesn’t have the identical generative AI firepower as Google or OpenAI, which is exactly why it’s opened itself as much as partnerships with each.
Apple’s strategy to the class is small scale, performing as a lot as doable on-device. Google has taken its personal steps in that course with Gemini Nano. The considerably smaller mannequin arrived on Pixel 8 gadgets by way of a function drop simply final month.
In recent times, Google has been clear about its ambitions to develop the Pixel line past its long-standing second-fiddle place within the Android market. The corporate has been producing in-house cellular chips for a number of gadget generations now. Coupled with all the R&D that’s been pumped into Gemini, may this be the second Pixel lastly breaks away?
Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional Fold
The Pixel 9 Professional was one in all two teaser movies launched by the corporate earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, Gemini obtained considerably extra display screen time than the {hardware}. Twenty of the video’s 30 seconds are dedicated to asking the GenAI to write down a “breakup letter” for an previous telephone, in favor of “one thing magical.”
That factor is, you guessed it, the Pixel 9 Professional, which rotates 180 levels to disclose the digital camera bar to finish all digital camera bars. Google has baked the digital camera bar into the Pixel’s design language, however this pronounced visor is sufficient to make Cyclops blush. The bar now not runs the size of the gadget’s again, however the digital camera bump now juts out at a sharper angle.
The video for Google’s newest foldable is nearly similar, although right here the display screen opens to disclose the phrases “Oh hello, AI,” earlier than closing to showcase the gadget’s again. The design language on the digital camera bump is comparable, although the foldable’s is off-center and options stacked lenses.
Google’s determination to go together with “Pixel 9 Professional Fold,” fairly than, say, the Pixel Fold 2, appears to sign a deeper integration into the bottom Pixel line. The corporate could in the end choose to place the Professional Fold because the true premium gadget within the line. Even with the $100 value enhance that got here with final 12 months’s Pixel 8 launch, the road has undercut the likes of Samsung and Apple.
The corporate in the end threw warning to the wind with the primary Pixel Fold, which arrived final summer time with a beefy $1,799 price ticket. The beginning value has since come down considerably, nevertheless. You possibly can choose one up immediately from Google for $1,300. You’d be suggested to attend just a few weeks, although, to see what Made by Google has in retailer.
Google is anticipated to announce 4 Pixel gadgets: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional Premium. The entire gadgets ought to sport the corporate’s newest in-house chip, the Tensor G4 and run Android 15.
Android 15
The most recent beta of Android 14 (beta 4) dropped simply final week. Whereas I/O previewed some options, you’ll have to attend till the August 13 occasion for its last launch. Code-named “Vanilla Ice Cream” (these pleasant dessert names are nonetheless used internally), the most recent model of the cellular working system will carry new options and UI tweaks.
Already introduced marquee options embody improved multitasking and satellite tv for pc connectivity. Personal Area, in the meantime, is a type of on-device incognito mode, which brings added authentication necessities for delicate information. An improved Doze mode, in the meantime, ought to enhance gadget battery life.
What about Assistant?
The query of Google Assistant’s destiny has loomed massive during the last a number of Gemini updates. It’s clear that Google in the end needs its in-house GenAI to take over Android’s most urgent duties, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not meaning changing Assistant outright or reinforcing it the best way Apple has with Siri.
Customers can presently depend on Gemini as their major assistant, in the event that they select, although Google in the end did the fitting factor and held off changing Assistant outright.
Assistant performed a extra central function in earlier years’ Made by Google occasions, owing to the inclusion of Google Dwelling/Nest bulletins. As pleasure round sensible residence gadgets has waned, nevertheless, the corporate has taken its foot off the fuel. Maybe Gemini’s arrival can breathe some much-needed life again into the house.
The Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Professional 2
The sensible residence class could have cooled, however Google has been lots bullish on wearables since its 2020 Fitbit acquisition. The Pixel Watch 3 seems destined to get some stage time on the August 13 occasion. Ditto for Pixel Buds Professional 2.
Made by Google kicks off at 10 a.m. PT on August 13. Keep tuned for more information.