Google launches upgraded Pixel phones to take advantage of AI technology

The updates include a Pixel-only feature that lets users search for information saved in screenshots. Android users can now also run Gemini, Google’s chatbot, as an overlay on another app to answer questions or generate content

Reuters Agency

August 14, 2024, 1:15 PM

Last Modified: August 14, 2024, 01:22 pm

The Google Pixel 9 series will debut on August 13. Photo: Google

“>

The Google Pixel 9 series will debut on August 13. Photo: Google

Alphabet subsidiary Google on Tuesday unveiled a line of new Pixel smartphones that feature deeper integration of artificial intelligence technology as the company seeks to incorporate AI into its hardware.

The updates include a Pixel-only feature that lets users search for information saved in screenshots. Android users can now also run Gemini, Google’s chatbot, as an overlay on another app to answer questions or generate content.

“There was so much promise, so much coming, and so little real-world utility when it comes to AI, so today we get real,” said Rick Osterloh, senior vice president of devices and services at Google. “We’re fully in the Gemini era,” he told engineers, executives, analysts and media attending a larger-than-usual event at Alphabet’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California.

The event broke another tradition: the latest versions of Pixel smartphones were unveiled in the summer, rather than the fall, as has been the case with every version of the device since its launch in 2016.

“I’ve been to a lot of Google events and this was not only one of the most expansive, but also one of the most complete,” said Avi Greengart, principal analyst at Techsponential. He said Google showed it’s at the forefront of AI.

The earlier event date is Google’s latest attempt to keep up with rivals in introducing AI features into consumer products, and comes ahead of Apple’s planned September launch of a new iPhone. In June, Apple announced that devices, including the latest version of the iPhone, would get improvements that include “Apple Intelligence,” a range of generative AI-powered features in native apps, and integration with ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.

Google employees showed off several live demonstrations of new Gemini features, such as the voice conversation feature, but trying to use Gemini to reference a photo of a concert poster in the calendar app took three tries and two devices.

The Pixel 9, the entry-level model with a 6.3-inch display, will start at $799, $100 more than the previous model. It and the 6.8-inch Pixel 9 Pro XL will start shipping in late August, a company spokesperson said. The Pixel 9 Pro, which has additional features like a better camera, and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold will ship in September. The new gadgets are available for pre-order on Tuesday.

‘MANAGE YOUR LIFE BETTER’

“The two things that (consumers) are looking at in AI right now are organization — and that’s in communication, in calendaring, basically managing my life better than I can manage — and the other thing is content creation,” said IDC analyst Linn Huang. “I think Google has nailed both.”

Google has less than 1% market share of global smartphone shipments in Q2 2024, according to IDC. That’s far behind Samsung, which has 18.9% market share, and Apple, which has 15.8% market share, in part because Google has entered fewer markets and is focusing on higher-priced segments.

In the United States, Google is the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer with a share of 4.5%.

The Pixel line also allowed Google to showcase its progress and spur the developer ecosystem around its Android operating system, which is used by device makers like Samsung. Android is installed on more than 80% of smartphones globally. Android is one of several fronts where Google is battling competitors to embed AI in ways that consumers will use. In May, the company debuted a series of improvements to its core products, including Search.

The company’s engineers redesigned the Pixel’s housing, improved the camera, and installed Google’s new Tensor G4 chip.

Google also on Tuesday unveiled new versions of its Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch and Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless headphones.

Google has also added a “Loss of Pulse” feature to the new Pixel Watch. The feature uses algorithms to determine if the user’s heart has stopped and if emergency services can be contacted. The feature will be available in the UK and the EU.

Also Tuesday, Google and Peloton, the fitness equipment company known for its stationary bikes, announced a content partnership in which subscribers to Google’s Fitbit Premium service will get access to Peloton’s library of workout classes.