Google showed off its next-generation Pixel 9 phones, new Gemini AI features, the Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2 at the Made by Google keynote on August 13, streamed from Mountain View, California.
The technology represents Google's efforts to strengthen its ecosystem with AI, Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of platforms and devices, said at the event.
Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will be available on August 22
The Pixel 9, available starting August 22, comes with 12GB of RAM and an ultra-wide camera. Its Google Tensor G4 chip enables generative AI, and Google is banking on Gemini AI with generative features both on-device and in the cloud. The Pixel 9 starts at $799.
The premium model, Pixel 9 Pro, comes in two sizes: the 6.3-inch version for $999 or the 6.8-inch Pixel Pro XL for $1,099. Both have 16GB of RAM.
The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available for pre-order now. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL will arrive in stores on August 22, followed by the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on September 4 in the US. Other geographic markets will follow. Check Google for full details on international availability.
Pixel 9 Pro Fold is Google's second-generation foldable phone
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold brings the same Tensor G4 chip to the 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 it into the broader Pixel lineage rather than making the Fold line a new branch of the family tree.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold can be used from the front display or a large interior display. Some apps are exclusive to the front display, like the Made You Look widget, which encourages distracted kids to smile at the screen during photo opportunities.
This device starts at $1,799 and is available for pre-order today.
All new Google phones come with seven years of operating system and security updates.
Google wants to build its ecosystem around Gemini
The Pixel 9 series demonstrates Google’s continued commitment to integrating AI into every aspect of smartphone use. The new AI features build on the voice and image generation capabilities demonstrated at Google I/O in May.
Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line will interact with Calendar, Tasks, and Keep, as well as the other core Workspace apps. This enables features like checking a user’s calendar or automatically adding items to a to-do list. At the live presentation, Google Gemini didn’t load its response when asked by Dave Citron, Gemini’s senior product manager, if it was available for a gig. It took a third attempt and a different phone for Gemini to respond. However, after Gemini responded, it successfully accessed the Calendar app and informed Citron that its calendar was free.
Google Gemini on the Pixel 9 line can run at 45 tokens per second, up to double the performance of the Pixel 8. All three Pro phones come with one year of Gemini Advanced and 2TB of cloud storage.
Google Gemini voices in Gemini Live conversation mode sound natural, and there's a wide variety to choose from. This live demo worked better than the previous demo, showing how the AI assistant responds to interruptions and remembers the context of a previous conversation.
AI also makes a big difference when it comes to taking photos on Google phones. The Magic Eraser photo-editing tool came out three years ago and is now evolving into Magic Editor, a generative AI tool that can help you “recompose” images. It can fill in blank spaces or replace backgrounds entirely.
In the new Pixel Weather app, Gemini Nano can generate a personalized weather report so users can read a summary instead of having to quickly flip through different parts of the app. Drag and drop different features to prioritize what matters most to you.
Google Gemini gives an AI boost to Call Assist, a feature that can autonomously wait on hold or help navigate phone trees; AI-generated call notes give you a summary of conversations. These can be particularly useful for busy professionals, who might use the summaries to help remember the details of important conversations.
Pixel Screenshots helps you organize screenshots into folders or search for information within them. The Add Me feature in the Pixel camera lets you add people to photos by reserving a space for them, essentially eliminating the need to ask a stranger to hold your phone for a photo of the entire family on vacation.
Like Apple's latest phones, Google's next-generation phones will offer Satellite SOS for emergency calling. The carrier-agnostic Satellite SOS feature will initially only be available in the US and will be free for the first two years of Pixel ownership.
Pixel 9 Phones Competitors
The Pixel 9 line will compete with Apple's iPhone 16 series, expected to debut this fall, and Samsung's Galaxy S24 series, available now.
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Pixel Watch 3 joins Google's line of wearables
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.
- Training analysis for runners.
- Google AI Add-ons for Fitbit Premium.
It also includes pulse loss detection, a new feature that turns the watch into a vital signs monitor. Because work is underway to regulate pulse loss detection in other countries, this feature will only be available in some European countries starting in September.
In terms of Google’s overall ecosystem, the Pixel Watch 3 will be able to sync notes and calls with Pixel phones. BMW and MINI have partnered with Google to allow the Watch 3 to double as a digital car key.
The Pixel Watch 3 is available for pre-order now and will be generally released on September 10. The 41mm version starts at $349.99 with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $449.99 with LTE. The 45mm version starts at $399.99 with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $499.99 with LTE.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 lets you use Google AI anywhere
Gemini AI is a refrain in the announcement of Google's next headphones. The Google Live voice assistant can be activated directly from the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available for pre-order today for $229 and will be available on September 26.
TechRepublic covered what Google did remotely.
