In an attempt to differentiate itself in a hardware sector that has mostly disregarded it, the internet behemoth introduced the upcoming Pixel line of smartphones, headphones, and watches.
The founders of Google skated onto the stage in roller skates to announce the launch of their first Android smartphone in 2008. Larry Page, one of them, said the gadget was just as sophisticated as a computer only a few years prior.
Executives abandoned the skates on Tuesday, but they stuck to the main points of the pitch: Google packed as much cutting-edge technology as possible into the newest Pixel phones. According to the company's blog postings, the gadgets are loaded with artificial intelligence that allows users to interact with a conversational assistant, alter individuals in images, and look up information from screenshots.
With the aid of these features, Google hopes to finally overcome customer ambivalence towards its smartphone goals with its four new phones, which include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and the double-wide Pixel 9 Fold. This is Google's most recent attempt to gain traction in a smartphone industry that is controlled by Apple, which has already revealed the artificial intelligence (A.I.) features that would be included in the upcoming iPhone generation, and its partner Samsung.
It has been a difficult road for Google to establish itself as a major player in the consumer hardware market. According to statistics compilation site Statista, it has around 5% of the smartphone market in the United States and typically less than that of other key markets, such as Britain, Germany, and India.
The majority of the company's income comes from advertising on its YouTube video platform and search engine. The verdict made by a federal judge last week may completely upend Google's profitable business model, since it found that the corporation had engaged in unlawful activity to retain its monopoly in internet search. Google said that it would "remain focused on making products that people find helpful" and that it would appeal the ruling.
Google has attempted to re-set the competition by capitalising on the hype around generative A.I. chatbots and features. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in April that the company was combining its Android development teams with its hardware engineering teams to create Pixel smartphones and other products. It was anticipated that merging the two will facilitate the addition of additional artificial intelligence to the goods and expedite the decision-making process.
On Tuesday, there will be a preorder for every phone. Launch dates for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL are August 22 and September 4, respectively.
Google stated that its artificial intelligence features will be available earlier than those of Apple, which stated that its devices would have A.I. by this autumn. Google senior vice president Rick Osterloh, who is in charge of Android and hardware, said that "people's scepticism" about the introduction of artificial intelligence is understandable.
Mr. Osterloh stated, "Today, we're becoming serious because there have been so many promises, so many 'coming soons,' and not enough real-world helpfulness when it comes to A.I. A.I. experiences, features, and products that are beginning to arrive with Android and our new Pixel devices are all fully shown in real time.
Google promised to provide consumers with "the best of Google's A.I." with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which features two screens: an external screen and a bigger screen when unfurled. The remainder of the lineup, depending on size and specs, starts from $799 to $1,099, while the device's starting price is $1,799, according to the business.
Despite having a limited market share for smartphones, Google has lately made considerable progress. According to statistics from the research firm IDC, the company's share of the smartphone market increased to 4.6 percent in 2023 from 3.6 percent in the previous year.
Along with the new phones, the firm unveiled the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2, which were the first to use Tensor A1 computer processors from the business. According to Google, they were made for its sophisticated audio processing and artificial intelligence to help consumers enjoy better calls and reduce background noise.
The corporation hopes that its artificial intelligence (A.I.) will aid their next product blitz. It has integrated its Gemini chatbot, formerly known as Bard, inside the billions of users' Android operating system.
According to the business, one tool, Gemini Live, would let phone users ask sophisticated questions of the chatbot or find out what sorts of employment could fit their degree and skill set. Starting today, people who pay for a Gemini subscription can access it. In order to provide phone users access to more capabilities, Google said that it will give away a free year of its premium AI plan.
In the upcoming weeks, Gemini will integrate with more applications to become an even more useful assistant, such as Calendar, Tasks, and additional functions on YouTube Music.
Google stated that it will protect users' data by not sharing it with other businesses and offer people choice over what Gemini can access, even though it admitted that all of these initiatives will put artificial intelligence (AI) more into users' private life.
Google's VP of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, stated on his blog that "we're infusing A.I. into everything we do." "A.I. should naturally fit into our everyday lives in order to be truly helpful, and the best place to experience that is on your Android device."
