In the five months since Google I/O, Google has rolled out exciting new capabilities across various products, including Search, Workspace, Android, and Bard. Today, the focus is on Pixel, the exclusive smartphone engineered by Google.
Over the years, Pixel has consistently delivered on its AI-centric vision, introducing groundbreaking features and technological firsts. The vision of AI-centric mobile computing, once radical, has consistently provided helpful, straightforward, and personalized smartphone experiences. In recent years, Google's AI expertise has extended beyond phones to a diverse Pixel portfolio, including watches, tablets, foldables, and earbuds. This week, Google is releasing its most significant update for Pixel Buds Pro, featuring AI-powered enhancements like Clear Calling technology and improved convenience. The commitment to AI-driven innovation extends beyond devices to apps and services. Recently, Google unveiled the next generation of Pixel wearables and phones, showcasing the synergy between premium hardware, innovative software, and cutting-edge AI research. It's a thrilling presentation ahead, so let's dive right in. ⬇️
Pixel Watch 2: The Perfect Fusion of Google and Fitbit
Google unveils the Pixel Watch 2, a cutting-edge smartwatch that marries the best of Google's innovation with Fitbit's health and fitness expertise. With an upgraded design featuring durable materials and 100 percent recycled aluminum housing, it offers both style and sustainability.
Pixel Watch 2 delivers enhanced performance with a quad-core CPU, 24-hour battery life, and fast charging in just 30 minutes. It runs on Wear OS 4, providing access to new apps, including Gmail and Calendar, along with improvements to existing favorites.
Safety features, such as Safety Check and Emergency Location Sharing, offer peace of mind during outdoor activities. The watch also includes advanced health tracking capabilities, including a multi-path heart rate sensor, skin temperature sensor, and continuous electrodermal activity sensor for stress management.
Pixel Watch 2 is the epitome of Google and Fitbit's commitment to creating a smartwatch that seamlessly blends style, performance, and health tracking. It's a game-changer in the world of wearable technology.
Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro: A Glimpse into the Future of Smartphones
In the world of smartphones, Google continues to redefine innovation with its latest releases, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. These devices push the boundaries of what's possible, thanks to their seamless integration with Google's cutting-edge AI research.
These new additions to the Pixel lineup continue to set industry firsts, from night vision capabilities to answering calls on your behalf. They introduce groundbreaking features such as unblurring photos and car crash detection, along with built-in VPN protection at no extra cost. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro represent the next step in AI-driven mobile technology.
The most recent additions to the Pixel lineup are setting industry standards by introducing features such as night vision capabilities, photo unblurring, and car crash detection. Furthermore, these devices include built-in VPN protection at no additional charge. These groundbreaking innovations, exemplified by Call Screen - a feature that reduces spam calls by an impressive average of 50% by answering unknown numbers with a natural-sounding voice and intelligently distinguishing between desired and undesired calls - signify the evolution of AI-driven mobile technology. In essence, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are at the forefront of this exciting advancement.
Powered by Google's latest Tensor chip, these phones offer an unparalleled Android experience, a revolutionary camera system, and the most advanced AI features to date. With a focus on delivering assistance in a way that's uniquely Google, these devices are not only technologically impressive but also visually stunning.
Get ready to experience the future of smartphones with Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, where AI takes center stage to enhance your daily life in ways you never thought possible.
Google's Next-Gen Assistant: Assistant with Bard for Pixel 8
Google Assistant, introduced on the first Pixel phone, has evolved into a vital tool for millions worldwide. Now, Google is unveiling Assistant with Bard, a groundbreaking development fueled by generative AI research and mobile accessibility. Here's a succinct overview:
- Global Reach: Bard has swiftly gained worldwide popularity, serving users in over 40 languages across 220 countries and territories.
- Personalized Assistance: Assistant with Bard combines personalized help, reasoning, and generative capabilities on mobile devices.
- Email Management: Users can request missed email summaries, swiftly accessing important information.
- Effortless Navigation: Assistant with Bard offers quick directions and travel information through Google Maps.
- Seamless Task Management: Delegate tasks and create shareable grocery lists with ease.
- Travel Planning: Plan group trips effortlessly, receive recommendations, build itineraries, and discover viewpoints.
- Intuitive Decision-Making: Get hiking trail recommendations with a snap and decide your path.
- Creative Aid: Generate captions for photos based on visuals and context.
- Conversational Interface: Assistant with Bard's overlay conversations offers adaptability.
Assistant with Bard is set to redefine personal assistance, functioning as a coordinator, planner, and creative partner. Google will gradually introduce this feature to select testers, expanding availability for Pixel 8 users shortly.
Design: A Design Marvel and Sustainability Champion
The Pixel 8 series stands as the epitome of Google's design philosophy, fostering seamless integration across Pixel devices. These phones adopt a signature design marked by fluid contours and an eco-conscious approach. Pixel 8 retains the iconic Pixel design with enhanced ergonomics, while Pixel 8 Pro introduces a sophisticated matte finish and captivating color palette.
Google's unwavering commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the series, from recycled materials to plastic-free packaging. Repairability is emphasized through partnerships with iFixit. Display technology shines with the Actua display, boasting 42% greater brightness in Pixel 8, and a super Actua display with 2400 nits peak brightness in Pixel 8 Pro.
Enhancing convenience and safety, the Pixel 8 Pro introduces a temperature sensor. These phones offer not just a design evolution but also significant upgrades, solidifying their status as Google's most impressive smartphones to date.
Camera: Redefining Mobile Photography and Assistance
With the latest Google Pixel 8, Google has redefined the smartphone experience. From photography to productivity, this device showcases cutting-edge features. Here's a closer look:
- Camera Mastery: The Pixel 8 camera excels in low light, captures skin tones accurately, and simplifies creative editing for stunning photos.
- Audio Magic Eraser: Say farewell to background noise in videos, thanks to Tensor G3 and machine learning's audio cleanup magic.
- Best Take: Easily perfect group photos with a series of shots to choose the best expressions.
- Magic Editor: Pixel 8 introduces a user-friendly tool for intuitive photo adjustments and enhancements.
- Guided Frame: Recognizing more than just faces, it helps you capture precisely what you want in photos.
- Pixel 8 Pro: A step up for photography enthusiasts with Pro Controls, high-resolution RAW images, and exceptional video quality.
- Video Boost: Transform ordinary videos into vibrant masterpieces with Video Boost and Night Sight for low-light excellence.
- Assistant with Bard: Meet your new multitasking assistant. It summarizes emails, generates grocery lists, and even creates captions for photos. Streamline your tasks with generative AI.
Google Tensor G3 Chip: Redefining Mobile AI
Google introduces the Tensor G3 chip, a cutting-edge mobile SoC tailored for Pixel devices, showcasing groundbreaking AI innovations.
The Tensor G3 chip encompasses major upgrades, including the latest ARM CPUs, an enhanced GPU, a new ISP and imaging DSP, and a custom TPU designed to run Google's AI models efficiently. Compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 8 powered by Tensor G3 runs over twice as many on-device machine learning models, revolutionizing user experiences.
Pixel 8 delivers industry-leading speech enhancements with unmatched accuracy in on-device Speech and Natural Language Understanding. It effortlessly switches between multiple languages during conversations and employs Google's data center-grade text-to-speech model for a natural and customizable experience.
Additionally, Pixel 8's Call Assist features streamline phone calls, from navigating phone trees to reducing background noise with Clear Calling and screening spam calls with Call Screen. The next-gen Call Screen even offers Contextual Replies, simplifying responses to important calls.
Conclusion
In summary, Google's latest announcements underscore its commitment to AI-driven innovation. The Pixel Watch 2 combines style, performance, and health tracking, while the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro redefine mobile technology with AI-powered features. Sustainability, camera mastery, the Tensor G3 chip, and Assistant with Bard showcase Google's leadership in innovation. These advancements offer users enhanced convenience and productivity, shaping the future of technology.
Sebastian is an Engineer Manager at TribalScale and a tech enthusiast with a Master's degree in Computer Science, specializing in Data Science. His passion lies in all things Android and has been working in the field for the past 8+ years. When he's not coding or researching the latest Android technologies, you can find him hitting the gym to stay physically fit and maintain a balanced lifestyle.