At no point in my entire existence thus far has the tech industry been this fervent. Of course, new avenues of technology were constantly being introduced, but all of a sudden it appears as if a sleeping giant was prodded, woken up from its slumber and is on a mission to make Earth’s reality echo a plot of a sci-fi film. At the epicentre of such vigour and passion is the AI gold rush that is passing over new power to the tech industry. The recent swell in generative artificial intelligence has breathed new life into technology and now there is no turning back. Everyone is on a mission to emerge winners. And in doing so, the world is being populated with a slew of innovations and updates that it is becoming difficult to keep up. While the contender under the limelight shifts once every 48 hours or so, the latest protagonist is Google and its Pixel.
Many people choose to own a Google Pixel phone because it offers arguably the highest level of software support within the Android ecosystem. While Samsung has made strides in this area, Google remains consistently faster in delivering new Android security patches and major Android version updates. Owning a Pixel means you’re typically among the first to experience the latest developments and features in the Android operating system. Therefore, for anyone who owns a Google Pixel phone, consider it an early christmas.
Google shines brighter than ever
The first week of October will be one that goes down in history books for Google. At their event ‘Made By Google 2023’, (which is an annual event that takes place to showcase their hardware and software updates), not only did the company reveal its latest flagship Pixel phones and watches, but it also gave the ones present a sneak peek at its AI expansion agenda, which involved a smarter Google Assistant who is also equipped with upgraded capabilities. Unveiled alongside the second generation of its Pixel smartwatch and the introduction of Android 14, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are aiming to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone 15 series. Furthermore, they are taking inspiration from Fairphone, by prioritising longer-lasting device sustainability.
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
In simple, this is a game changer. If you think that this is merely “another android” that will come and go, think again. Pixel’s latest phones are a testament to the saying, “how we look is unimportant, it is what is on the inside that counts”. This is not to be reductionist of Pixel’s dandy and sleek exterior, but to emphasise on its software. One that comes as a long-term promise.
The selling and the equally awe-inspiring factor of these two Google-manufactured phones lies in their remarkable commitment to post-sales software support. While this may not grab immediate attention in a world filled with flashy and marketable features, it represents the most substantial shift in the Android landscape over the past decade. Importantly, this change has the potential to significantly influence your future smartphone purchases, regardless of whether you opt for a Google Pixel device or not.
The Pixel 8, priced at £699 (€799/$699), boasts a 6.2-inch OLED screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It’s slightly more compact and lighter compared to its predecessor. On the rear, an enhanced dual-camera setup captures 21% more light, enhancing low-light photography, and also offers a macrophotography mode for detailed close-up shots.
The phone introduces exciting features like “best take,” allowing users to swap faces across multiple frames to ensure everyone in photos is smiling or looking the same way. Its photo editor utilises generative AI to resize subjects and apply various effects. Additionally, a new “audio magic eraser” can eliminate background noise from videos, like noisy crowds.
Priced at £999 (€1,099/$999), the Pixel 8 Pro offers all the same software capabilities and more. It boasts a larger 6.7-inch screen and adds a third 5x optical zoom telephoto camera to its rear setup. The phone includes a temperature sensor for object measurements, with potential health-related applications in the future.
The Pixel 8 Pro enhances your photography experience with manual camera controls and a “video boost” feature that leverages AI from the device and Google’s data centres. This enables impressive Night Sight video and other modes expected to arrive later this year.
Both phones are powered by Google’s cutting-edge Tensor G3 chip, featuring AI enhancements such as article summarization, text-to-speech reading, translation, and improved grammar and proofreading tools.
A smart(er) watch
When Google taglined their new product range as “Engineered by Google. For all that you do”, it literally meant all. Even if it was you tripping on your shoelaces and falling face flat. The Car Crash Detection feature on Pixel Phones and Fall Detection on the Pixel Watch use Google AI to detect signs of an emergency and can call for help when you can’t. If you meet with an accident while walking when wearing your watch, depending on the degree of the fall, the device will immediately notify relevant parties (if you are unable to do it). Google really said, no harm will befall you, at least not on my watch.
Moreover, Google has introduced an updated version of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2, featuring a sleeker design that’s 10% lighter while remaining compatible with previous-generation straps.
The Pixel Watch 2 comes equipped with a faster quad-core chip and runs on the latest WearOS 4. This includes updated Gmail and Calendar apps for improved functionality. Notable enhancements include new electrical stress sensors, a larger heart rate sensor on the back for more precise exercise monitoring, and improved workout recognition within the Fitbit app.
This smartwatch will hit stores on 12 October, coinciding with the availability of the Pixel 8 phones.
Assistant with Bard
While this is currently in its initial stages, Google did not hold back in showing off their assistant’s latest development. For as long as most of our memories serve (especially that of our digital natives), Google Assistant has served as the voice-activated companion integrated into Android devices. Therefore, it has become a household name. One thing that it is often praised for is how it readily responds to voice commands, triggered by “Hey, Google’, enabling the performance of various tasks like setting alarms or sending text messages on the phone. The next step for Google in terms of generative AI, as unveiled during the event, is Assistant with Bard.
Google’s generative AI chatbot, known as Bard , was introduced earlier this year as a direct competitor to ChatGPT. The fusion of Assistant with Bard offers a dynamic tool designed to assist users in staying organised and informed. This combination aims to help users manage their priorities effectively.
For instance, Assistant with Bard can analyse recent emails, distil important information, and seamlessly employ Google Maps to chart routes for various appointments and engagements. This eliminates the need to manually sift through emails, note down locations, and input them into Maps. In situations like being at a crossroads on a hiking trail, users can snap a photo of a trail marker and inquire about the best route for a dog with shorter legs. Assistant with Bard can swiftly search the internet to provide accurate information and solutions.
The rollout of Google Assistant with Bard is scheduled to commence with testing and later extend to the general public. This release will be available on both iOS and Android platforms over the next few months. Notably, Google has initially limited the Bard-enhanced version to mobile phones, despite Google Assistant’s presence on smart speakers like the Nest Mini. Importantly, it’s worth mentioning that Bard is an opt-in feature within Assistant, offering users the choice to utilise its capabilities as they see fit.
With all of these new updates in Google’s bag, it is a win-win situation for them. However, once they are rolled out and the general public begins to put them to use, caveats, concerns and loopholes will emerge. Nevertheless, this endeavour of Google deserves a standing ovation. Because the new software update is a great win not only for them in isolation but for humanity as well. It sheds light on one of the major shortcomings of Android phones and that is the lack of adequate software support. Despite the phones being on the pricey side of things, the seven-year software update shows that Google is not afraid of commitment. This is a significant stride for Android as a whole.
(Sandunlekha Ekanayake)