Google’s Pixel 9 Launch Occasion Was a Nice Advert for Rival Android Telephones

Tuesday was the day we knew, due to teasers and leaks, that we have been getting new Google {hardware} — telephones and possibly wearables, together with headphones. However 20 minutes into the corporate’s Made by Google occasion, there was no signal of the new Pixels anyplace.

As an alternative, we would seen three of the Pixel’s Android rivals — the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Motorola Razr — which Google used to demo its Gemini AI options. Though Google has properly established partnerships with these phone-makers, this was uncommon for an occasion ostensibly in regards to the Pixel 9. In the event you did not know what you watching, you’d suppose this was an advert for Google’s {hardware} companions, not the launch of its newest, biggest telephones.

By giving AI prime billing forward of its new {hardware}, Google reiterated the purpose it made throughout I/O, its developer convention held in Could. That’s, that AI is a very powerful product for tech corporations today. It additionally felt to some extent like a do-over. At I/O, its two-hour session about Gemini was terse and complicated. These demos, then again, have been a lot clearer and extra sensible than these at I/O — they’re what they need to’ve been the primary time round.

They have been so good, that when you’d tuned in not understanding what to anticipate from Google, you may need been tempted to purchase a Samsung cellphone for its Gemini options, relatively than a cellphone from the Pixel 9 lineup, which lastly made an look across the 25-minute mark. Because of this, the joy round these new units did not dominate at this occasion, and that is an actual disgrace.

Google’s telephones have all the time been within the shadow of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy sequence, even with out taking part in second fiddle to them throughout their large annual refresh. It is not as if they don’t seem to be value your consideration — the Pixel 9’s predecessor, the Pixel 8, was certainly one of our most extremely rated telephones final yr. Our complaints primarily targeted on the AI options, which primarily based on what we discovered throughout the again half of the occasion, look as if they have been a lot improved for 2024.

If Google had talked about Pixel first, there’s completely no motive that it could not have used its personal telephones to point out off the newest Gemini demos. The explanation it most certainly did not was that it wants its companions greater than ever — particularly Samsung. Within the age of AI, the battle with Apple enters brand-new territory, and having in style allies able to difficult the world’s largest phone-maker will make all of the distinction. 

However although software program developments are the place the most important leaps are being made in cell proper now, let’s hope Google’s {hardware} would not get misplaced within the combine as the corporate bids for AI supremacy. Not everybody who makes use of Android desires or can afford a prime Samsung cellphone. Competitors within the {hardware} area means higher and extra selection of units for us all. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is way sleeker than Samsung’s smartwatches, and makes a compelling various to the Apple Watch.

“Made by Google” may imply Gemini greater than it means Pixel today, however Google’s {hardware} deserves to be greater than an afterthought to anybody searching for a brand new Android cellphone.