On Tuesday, August 13, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, unveiled a new lineup of Pixel smartphones with enhanced artificial intelligence features. This release marks Google’s effort to integrate AI more deeply into its hardware.
Key upgrades include a Pixel-exclusive feature that allows users to search for information in screenshots and the ability to access Gemini, Google’s chatbot, as an overlay on other apps for answering questions or generating content.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s Senior Vice President of Devices and Services, emphasized the practical applications of AI, stating, “There have been so many promises, so many coming-soon, and not enough real-world helpfulness when it comes to AI, which is why today we’re getting real.”
The event, held at Alphabet’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, was notably elaborate and earlier than usual for Pixel announcements.
This timing aligns with Google’s strategy to compete with rivals ahead of Apple’s upcoming iPhone launch.
The Pixel 9, with a 6.3-inch display, starts at $799, marking a $100 increase from the previous model.
The Pixel 9 Pro, featuring additional enhancements, and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be available in September. Preorders for these devices began on Tuesday.
IDC analyst Linn Huang noted that consumers are looking for AI to improve organization and content creation, areas where Google has made significant strides.
Despite holding a small global market share, Google’s Pixel line continues to showcase advances in AI and drive innovation in its Android operating system.
Additionally, Google introduced new versions of its Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds, including the Pixel Watch 3 with a “Loss of Pulse” feature to alert emergency services if a user’s heart stops.
Google also announced a partnership with Peloton, offering Google’s Fitbit Premium subscribers access to Peloton’s training classes.
