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Tencent Technology News, August 14, according to foreign media reports, Google's 2024 "Made by Google" conference was officially held at the company's new campus in Mountain View, Bay View Campus, on Tuesday, Eastern Time. Google's new product launch event aims to fully showcase the company's latest achievements and innovations in hardware and software, but it is earlier than in previous years, breaking Google's tradition of updating the Pixel series in the fall since the release of the first Pixel flagship phone in October 2016.

August has always been a slightly quiet time in the tech world, but that’s no longer the case. With Google bringing forward its iconic October Pixel phone launch by two months, the tech world has immediately become bustling. At this year’s “Made by Google” conference, we saw passionate introductions to all the expected hardware products, including the new Pixel 9 series phones. The Pixel 9 Pro and the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL were officially unveiled, and the new foldable phone Pixel 9 Pro Fold is indeed a slim body of only 0.4 inches. In addition, the new Pixel Watch 3 smartwatch and Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless headphones were also unveiled, and there were also a lot of software features on display, most of which were Gemini integrated features. However, one thing that has not been hyped is that the Pixel 9 series phones are still pre-installed with the Android 14 operating system, not Android 15.

When Google introduced its first Android smartphone in 2008, founder Larry Page likened it to computers that had hit the market just a few years earlier. On Tuesday, Google executives continued that spirit of innovation by packing all the cutting-edge technology into its latest Pixel phones. The devices are packed with rich artificial intelligence features that allow users to interact with a conversational assistant, edit people in photos and search for information in screenshots. Google hopes the new features will help its four new phones — the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the widescreen Pixel 9 Fold — break through consumer apathy toward its smartphone business. It’s Google’s latest attempt to make a splash in a smartphone market dominated by its partners Samsung Electronics and Apple.

Google makes most of its money from advertising on its search engine and YouTube video platform, not hardware products. Last week, a federal judge ruled that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in online search, a ruling that could have a major impact on Google's lucrative business model. Google said it would appeal the ruling and "remain focused on making products that help people." To gain an edge over the competition, Google is trying to capitalize on interest in generative AI chatbots and features. In April, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the merger of the Android development team with the Pixel device and other hardware engineering teams. The move is designed to simplify the integration of AI technology in products and speed up decision-making.

Google's new Pixel smartphone deeply integrates artificial intelligence technology. This move marks Google's firm step in integrating artificial intelligence into hardware products. The advance of this conference is not only to keep pace with competitors' integration of artificial intelligence functions in consumer electronics, but also an important layout before Apple plans to launch a new iPhone in September. Previously, Apple has announced that its devices will be upgraded with a series of artificial intelligence functions including "Apple Intelligence", as well as the integration of ChatGPT chatbot developed by OpenAI, which is supported by Microsoft. IDC analyst Linn Huang pointed out: "We have witnessed frequent updates in artificial intelligence technology in recent years. For Google, it is obvious that it cannot fall behind in this competition."

At this conference, Google demonstrated artificial intelligence features designed specifically for Pixel users, including the unique ability to search for screenshot information. In addition, Android users can now answer questions or generate content by calling Google's chatbot Gemini while using other applications. Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of devices and services, said: "We are no longer at the stage of promises and previews. Today we have brought real artificial intelligence applications." He emphasized that Google has fully entered the "Gemini era."

According to market research firm IDC, as of the second quarter of 2024, Google's share of the global smartphone market is less than 1%, far behind Samsung Electronics' 18.9% and Apple's 15.8%. This is partly because Google focuses mainly on the high-end market and its products have only entered a few markets. In the United States, Google ranks fourth among smartphone manufacturers with a market share of 4.5%. Google's share in other major markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany and India is generally lower. The company's latest Pixel series of smartphones not only demonstrates Google's technological progress, but also promotes the developer ecosystem around the Android operating system. Android is one of the important battlefields for Google to compete with competitors for the application of artificial intelligence technology in multiple fields. In May of this year, Google carried out a series of artificial intelligence upgrades to its core products such as its search engine.

01 Google Pixel 9

Google Pixel 9 stole the show with its completely revamped design. The camera module on the back of the phone adopts a novel oval shape, which protrudes prominently from the body that is one-tenth of an inch thinner than the previous generation Pixel 8. The screen size has also been restored from 6.2 inches on the Pixel 8 to 6.3 inches, and it uses the scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The back of the phone is polished glass, while the frame and the camera are made of a fine-touch matte metal material.

In terms of camera configuration, Pixel 9 continues the layout of rear dual-camera and front single-camera, but the hardware has been upgraded: the previous generation's 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens has now been upgraded to 48 megapixels to capture richer details. Other camera specifications remain unchanged, but the front camera has added an autofocus function to make selfies clearer. In addition, in order to give full play to the performance of these high-end sensors, Google has also introduced AI photography enhancements such as "Add Me" and "Reimagine", which are combined with existing Magic Editor, Night Scene Mode, and Best Shot to bring users a better photography experience.

The Pixel 9 is equipped with the same Tensor G4 chip as the high-end models, which is more efficient in processing daily tasks and more energy-efficient. The memory of the basic Pixel 9 has been increased to 12GB, and the 8GB version has been cancelled, which will help better handle the many Gemini integrated features that come standard in the Android 15 system. Users can call up the assistant on the screen by simply pressing and holding the power button. It can answer questions, extract application information, and provide contextual suggestions based on the pictures taken.

After personally experiencing the Pixel 9 series of mobile phones, Sam Rutherford of the technology blog Engadget gave it a positive evaluation, praising the new design for its "excellent appearance" and believing that the artificial intelligence tools and features have shown iterative advantages in practicality. Pixel 9 provides up to 7 years of operating system and security updates, and the colors include obsidian black, porcelain white, holly green and peony pink to meet the personalized needs of different users. The starting price is $799, equipped with 128GB of storage space, and pre-orders are now open. All Pixel 9 phones will be fully available on August 22, bringing consumers a new round of technological enjoyment.

02 Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL

Those seeking an extraordinary experience can turn to the Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro XL. This year, "Pro" doesn't mean "bigger": the Pixel 9 Pro is the same size as the standard Pixel 9, both equipped with a 6.3-inch screen. Google has introduced a new flagship product in its product line, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is similar to the Pro version but equipped with a larger 6.8-inch display and a large-capacity 5060mAh battery (compared to the 4700mAh battery of the standard version).

All three Pixel 9 phones are equipped with Google's Tensor G4 processor, but the two Pro versions are equipped with 16GB RAM, to meet the needs of artificial intelligence functions and other high-load tasks. Users can choose 128GB or up to 1TB of storage space. The Pro version also adds a 48-megapixel telephoto lens on the back and a 42-megapixel high-pixel selfie camera on the front.

Both Pro phones come with a one-year subscription to the Google One AI Premium Plan, which lets you experience all of the features of Gemini — after the free trial ends, you’ll have to pay $20 per month (the plan also includes 2TB of storage).

The Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099. Both are available in four colors: Obsidian Black, Porcelain White, Hazelnut, and Rose Quartz, and come with seven years of security updates and feature upgrades. Like all products announced at the event, these phones are available for pre-order now and will be available in stores on August 22.

03 Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google also officially released the company's second foldable phone on Tuesday, but the product is not called Pixel Fold 2, but named Pixel 9 Pro Fold. With the expansion of the name, it brings a larger 8-inch internal screen, which is also the largest mobile phone screen on the market. The size of the external screen has also increased to 6.3 inches, an increase from last year's 5.8 inches. Google claims that the brightness of the new internal screen is 80% higher than the previous generation, with a brightness of up to 2700 nits.

Foldable phones are often criticized for being heavy and bulky. Google hopes to address this with some design tweaks. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is just 0.4 inches thick when closed, making it the thinnest foldable phone on the market (if you don't count its significant camera bump), and it's also about 25 grams lighter, at 257 grams.

This new foldable phone is equipped with Google's Tensor G4 chip, comes standard with 16GB of RAM, and offers 256GB or 512GB storage options. Like all Pixel hardware in 2024, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is also designed for Gemini AI features. Long press the power button to wake up the assistant, which supports split-screen use on the foldable screen. Purchasing the phone also comes with a one-year subscription to the One AI Premium plan, which costs $20 per month thereafter.

The back of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is equipped with wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses, supporting 5xOptical zoomand 20x super-resolution zoom. Both the inner and outer screens have 10-megapixel cameras on the front. Thanks to its foldable design, users can preview through the outer screen and use the more powerful rear camera for selfies. Initial impressions of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold are very positive. It is thinner than the Z Fold 6, but has a larger inner screen. In addition, the AI ​​tools on this phone are very practical.

04 Google Pixel Watch 3

After last year's Pixel Watch 2 was described as "catching up to the competition," foreign media still complained about the inconsistent Fitbit integration and the lack of wireless charging. In the Pixel Watch 3, Fitbit is still an important part of the experience, and charging still requires cables.

The new Google smartwatch is available in two sizes, the large 45mm and 41mm models. Thanks to the narrower frame, the display area of ​​the 41mm watch has increased by 10% compared to the Pixel Watch 2, while the display area of ​​the 45mm screen has increased by 40%. The maximum brightness of both screens is 2000 nits, which is twice that of the previous generation, and the minimum brightness can be reduced to 1 nit.

New features include a "Readiness Score" and "Cardio Load Tracking," which sounds similar to "Training Load" in Apple watchOS 11 - these features provide feedback on the intensity of your workouts. New integrations also include the ability to display a live video stream from a Nest camera on the watch and use the watch as a remote control for Google TV. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours on a full charge, and Google claims it will charge 20% faster than before using a 30-watt wall adapter (sold separately). A new "Hold on Hold" feature has been added to the "Call Assistant," which puts the caller on hold when you answer the call until you get to a more suitable place or put down what you're doing.

Heart rate monitoring has been optimized to work more accurately even in hard-to-track activities such as running. The "Readiness Score" and "Cardiopulmonary Load" are combined to provide a daily "Daily Readiness Score" to guide you on how much intensity you should exercise that day. The "first-of-its-kind" "Pulse Loss Detection" feature automatically calls emergency services and guides rescuers to the user's location when the algorithm determines a dangerous situation through the user's pulse, movement and other indicators. This feature will first be launched in some EU countries and parts of the UK, and will be expanded to more regions in the future.

The 41mm Pixel Watch 3 is priced at $349 (WiFi only) and $449 (with LTE). The 45mm models are priced at $399 and $499 (with cellular connectivity). Both are available in black or silver, with a new ecru color for the large case size. Pre-orders are available now, and the watches will be available on September 10.

05 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Although smaller and lighter, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have an extra hour of battery life over their predecessor, and can play for up to 12 hours with noise cancellation turned off. The Silent Seal noise cancellation feature is also retained, and the noise cancellation effect is twice as good as before. In addition, they will also support spatial audio and head tracking technology - but only when paired with a Pixel 6 or later phone or Pixel tablet.

The built-in Tensor chip is Google's first product used in headphones. It not only provides powerful support for new features, but also greatly improves the audio processing speed to better adapt to your environment. The addition of multi-path processing technology ensures that the noise reduction calculation does not affect the audio channel, keeping the music original.

The newly added "twist-adjust" stabilizer design is designed to keep the earphones firmly worn during exercise, and can also be adjusted as needed to improve comfort. The conversation detection function has also been retained, which means there is no need to manually pause the music when you need to talk - the earphones will automatically pause the music when you start talking and continue playing after the conversation ends. Pixel Buds Pro 2 claims to be the lightest noise-canceling earphones in its class.

Of course, the built-in Gemini AI is also a highlight. Users can use it to request walking directions or access emails, etc. It also supports the Gemini Live function, and Google's Sandeep Waraich demonstrated on stage through the "Let's communicate live" instruction, showing how to get breathing techniques to stay calm in a crowd and advice on how to approach people you admire.

Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available for pre-order now and will be available on September 26. They are available in four colors: porcelain white, umber, holly, and peony pink, and cost $229, which is $29 more than the Pixel Buds Pro cost when they first launched.

06. Google Pixel Screenshot App

The Pixel 9 phone debuted a new screenshot app, Pixel Screenshot, which has not yet announced its wider launch plan. The app uses Gemini Nano, an on-device AI model, to help users save, extract, and organize information that they may forget the source of. For example, when a user screenshots an Instagram post about a music festival, the AI ​​will not only provide a summary of the content, but also provide a quick operation to add the event date to the calendar the next time the user accesses this screenshot through the app. For screenshots of restaurants, the app will generate options to make a call or navigate to the location through Google Maps.

Google says users can also use the microphone to ask questions, and the Pixel Screenshot app will answer them directly and display relevant annotated images. This app, like other products announced today, is reminiscent of Apple's redesigned Photos app. The Pixel Screenshot app is now online, and although it has similarities to Apple's redesigned Photos app, users will have to try it out to explore the differences between the two.

07 Android 15 Delayed

The much-anticipated Android 15 operating system did not debut with the Pixel 9 series of phones. At the Google Global Developers Conference I/O in May this year, Google demonstrated some of the features of Android 15. However, from the current situation, the operating system will not be launched immediately. The new Pixel phone will be pre-installed with Android 14. The new operating system may not be ready yet and has failed to catch up with the early release of the hardware, and Android 15 is likely to maintain its October release tradition.

Foreign media predicts that the official release of Android 15 will be later this fall. By then, Android 15 will undoubtedly be centered around Gemini, giving Google's artificial intelligence services more control so that they can better serve users. Even if the phone is equipped with the Android 14 system, these artificial intelligence features will be readily available at the time of release.

Google has overhauled its Assistant, building a whole new experience around Gemini. "This is the biggest step forward for the Google Assistant since it was launched," said Osterloh, the head of Google's hardware division. Google also promised that the Assistant will work not only on high-end flagship devices, but also on existing mid-range devices, not just Google phones, but on all Android phones. In some live demos at the event, its functionality was shown even on Samsung Electronics and Motorola phones (although there were some minor hiccups along the way). Android President Sameer Samat hailed Gemini as "the most accessible AI assistant."

Gemini can be woken up on any app and answer users' questions about the content on the screen. The Circle to Share feature allows users to quickly share the content they are currently viewing with contacts with just a few clicks. Users can also request Gemini to access information in their Drive files or Gmail accounts to generate text content such as personal profiles, fitness plans or itineraries. To protect user privacy, requests involving the most sensitive information will be handled by Gemini Nano, an artificial intelligence model built into the user's phone. (Compiled by Wu Ji)