Google showed off its next-generation Pixel 9 phones, its new Gemini AI features, the Pixel Watch 3, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a streamed Made by Google presentation on August 13 in Mountain View, California.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president of platforms and devices, said at the event that the technology represents Google’s efforts to strengthen its ecosystem with AI.
Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available on August 22
The Pixel 9, available on August 22, comes with 12GB of RAM and an ultrawide camera. Its Google Tensor G4 chip enables generative AI, and Google is working on Gemini AI with generative features both on-device and in the cloud. The price of Pixel 9 starts at $799.
The premium model, the Pixel 9 Pro, comes in two sizes: a 6.3” version for $999 or the 6.8” Pixel Pro XL for $1,099. Both have 16GB RAM.
The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available for preorder today. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will hit store shelves on August 22, followed by the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the US and other geographic markets on September 4. Look Google For complete international availability information.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google’s second-generation flip phone
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings the same Tensor G4 chip to a trendy foldable form factor. Note the name change: The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the successor to last year’s Pixel Fold, so it’s notable that Google is integrating the Fold line into the Pixel lineage as a whole, rather than turning it into a new branch of the family tree.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can be used from the front screen or from the larger internal display. Some applications are unique to the front screen, such as the Made You Look widget, which encourages distracted children to smile at the screen during photo opportunities.
The device starts at $1,799 and is available for preorder today.
All new Google phones come with seven years of OS and security updates.
Google wants to build its ecosystem around Gemini
The Pixel 9 series reflects Google’s strong commitment to integrating its AI into every aspect of smartphone use. The new AI features add to the generative voice and image capabilities demonstrated at Google I/O in May.
Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line will interface with Calendar, Tasks, and Keep, as well as other major workspace applications. This enables capabilities such as checking a user’s schedule or automatically adding items to a to-do list. In the live presentation, when Gemini’s senior director of product, Dave Citron, asked if he was available for a concert, Google Gemini did not load his response. Gemini had to make a third attempt to answer and had to get a different phone. However, after Gemini answered, he successfully accessed the Calendar app and informed Citron that his schedule was open.
Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line can run at 45 tokens per second, double the throughput of the Pixel 8. All three Pro phones come with one year of Gemini Advanced and 2 TB cloud storage.
Google Gemini voices sound natural in Gemini Live conversation mode, and there are a variety to choose from. This live demonstration worked more smoothly than the previous demonstration, showing how the AI assistant reacts to interruptions and remembers context from earlier in the conversation.
AI also makes a big difference in taking photos on Google phones. Magic Eraser photo editing came out three years ago and is now evolving into the Magic Editor, a generative AI tool that can help you “recompress” images. It can fill in blank spaces or replace the background completely.
In the new Pixel Weather app, the Gemini Nano can generate a custom weather report so users can read a summary instead of glancing through different parts of the app. Drag and drop different features to prioritize what’s most important to you.
Google gives AI boost to Gemini Call Assist, a feature that can autonomously wait on hold or help navigate the phone tree; AI-generated call notes give you a summary of the conversation. These can be especially helpful for busy professionals, who can use summaries to help remember details of important conversations.
Pixel Screenshot helps to organize screenshots into folders or find information within those screenshots. The Add Me feature on the Pixel camera lets you add people to photos by making room for them – essentially removing the need to ask a stranger to hold your phone to get the whole family in one photo on vacation.
Like Apple’s latest phones, Google’s next-generation phones will offer Satellite SOS for emergency calling. Carrier-agnostic Satellite SOS will initially be available only in the US, free for the first two years of Pixel ownership.
Competitors of Pixel 9 phones
The Pixel 9 line will compete with Apple’s iPhone 16 series, which is expected to launch this fall, and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, which is available now.
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Pixel Watch 3 joins Google’s wearables group
Google’s next wearable is the Pixel Watch 3, which comes in two sizes, 41mm or 45mm. Each version offers more screen space than the Pixel Watch 2.
This smart watch includes:
- Biometric Trackers.
- Workout analysis for runners.
- Google AI add-on for Fitbit Premium.
This also includes the loss of pulse detection, a new feature that essentially turns the watch into a life-signs monitor. Due to ongoing work to regulate the harms of pulse detection elsewhere, this feature will only be available in select countries in Europe starting in September.
In terms of Google’s broader ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 will be able to sync notes and calls to Pixel phones. BMW and Mini have partnered with Google to make the Watch 3 also function as a digital car key.
The Pixel Watch 3 is available for preorder now, with a general release on September 10th. The 41mm version starts at $349.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $449.99 for LTE. The 45mm version starts at $399.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $499.99 for LTE.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 enable Google AI on the go
Gemini AI is a refrain in Google’s announcement of its next earbuds. The voice assistant Google Live can be activated directly from the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 can be preordered today for $229 and will be available on September 26.
TechRepublic covered the build remotely by Google.
