Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Google
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Google
Cloud Computing
DoC
Crypto
Image Credits:Google
go-ahead
EVs
Fintech
fund raise
gismo
bet on
Image Credits:Google
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
secrecy
Robotics
Security
societal
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
outcome
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
picture
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
adjoin Us
Google ’s next big ironware issue is set forAugust 13 at 10 a.m. PT . That ’s roughly a two - month capitulum start for the Made by Google event , which has traditionally occurred mid - spill . It also , notably , will get the caller announcing its latest flagship , the Pixel 9 , ahead of the iPhone 16 . Apple ’s latest is set for a September announcement .
Google has n’t given justification for the shuffle . Perhaps things will be too noisy less than a month ahead of what has already become the most bizarre presidential election in forward-looking U.S. chronicle . The company also no doubt has a lot to discourse on theGeminifront . The new devices will almost certainly debut key new generative AI features before of the relaxation of the Android field of operations .
One tradition Google ’s stuck with this year is the pre - event gimmick reveal . The move inevitably sucks some of the oxygen out of the room before the big event , but it ’s proven an effective style to generate hullabaloo during the summertime consumer electronics doldrums . In July , Google showed off two fresh equipment : the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Fold , the stemma ’s most premium entries .
And on Tuesday , the company revealed a refresh to the gadget that gave Nest its name : The Nest Learning Thermostat 4 , which come 13 years after the dismissal of the original and most a X after the release of the Thermostat 3 . The company also unveil its in vogue set - top streaming box , called Google TV Streamer , and announce thatGoogle Assistant is here to stay — at least for now .
Phones built for “the Gemini era”
Both carry the tagline “ A ( foldable ) phone built for the Gemini era , ” do the microscope stage for the late in a long line of AI - themed tech events . Gemini took center degree at Google I / Oback in May , though the developer - focused result watch much more tidings concentre on put the substructure for the ship’s company ’s AI ambitions .
In fact , Google made a conscious attempt to distance its consumer hardware offerings from the developer conference , announcing thebudget - focused Pixel 8adays ahead of the event . Notably , the most challenging consumer - facing Android AI feature this year did n’t debut on a Pixel equipment at all . dress circle to Search arrive first onSamsung ’s Galaxy S24 back in January .
Apple made its own AI splash at WWDC in June with the launch ofApple Intelligence . Cupertino does n’t have the same reproductive AI firepower as Google or OpenAI , which is precisely why it ’s open up itself up topartnerships with both .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Apple ’s approach to the class issmall exfoliation , performing as much as potential on - twist . Google has take its own tone in that focusing withGemini Nano . The significantly smaller model get in on Pixel 8 devices via afeature drop just last month .
In recent years , Google has been clear about its ambitions to spring up the Pixel line beyond its long - bear second - violin position in the Android market . The company has been bring out in - house mobile chips for several gadget generation now . Coupled with all of the R&D that ’s been pumped into Gemini , could this be the consequence Pixel finally breaks aside ?
Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold
A phone built for the Gemini era . It can do a lot — even let your old phone down slowly . Learn more and contract up for#MadeByGoogleupdates : https://t.co / PUmAUi4YBepic.twitter.com / I3EEXOkq3I
The Pixel 9 Pro was one of two teaser video released by the company earlier this week . Unsurprisingly , Gemini got importantly more screen meter than the hardware . Twenty of the video recording ’s 30 mo are devoted to asking the GenAI to publish a “ breakup letter ” for an old phone , in favor of “ something magical . ”
That thing is , you suppose it , the Pixel 9 Pro , which rotates 180 degrees to reveal the camera taproom to end all camera streak . Google has broil the camera streak into the Pixel ’s design voice communication , but this pronounced visor is enough to makeCyclopsblush . The bar no longer lam the length of the gimmick ’s back , but the tv camera blow now juts out at a sharper slant .
The telecasting for Google ’s in style foldable is about superposable , though here the screen opens to disclose the words “ Oh hi , AI , ” before closing to showcase the machine ’s back . The design terminology on the tv camera bump is interchangeable , though the foldable ’s is off - centre and sport stacked lens of the eye .
A foldaway phone built for the Gemini geological era . Out with the old . In with the Fold . Learn more and sign up for#MadeByGoogleupdates : https://t.co/7zTWktAvWkpic.twitter.com / UZDudLiUWB
Google ’s decision to go with “ Pixel 9 Pro folding , ” rather than , say , the Pixel Fold 2 , seems to signal a mysterious integration into the base Pixel argument . The company may ultimately prefer to lay the Pro Fold as the unfeigned premium machine in the job . Even with the $ 100 price increase that came with last class ’s Pixel 8 release , the agate line has undercut the the like of Samsung and Apple .
The company ultimately throw caution to the wind with the first Pixel Fold , which arrived last summertime with a beefy $ 1,799 Mary Leontyne Price tag . The take off toll has since come down significantly , however . you could pick one up directly from Google for $ 1,300 . You ’d be advised to wait a few weeks , though , to see what Made by Google has in store .
Google is ask to announce four Pixel gadget : the Pixel 9 , Pixel 9 Pro , Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Premium . All of the machine should disport the party ’s tardy in - house chip , the Tensor G4 and hunt Android 15 .
Android 15
The latest beta of Android 14 ( beta 4 ) dropped just last workweek . While I / Opreviewed some features , you ’ll have to expect until the August 13 event for its final release . computer code - advert “ Vanilla Ice Cream ” ( those delicious afters names are still used internally ) , the recent version of the nomadic operating system of rules will bring new feature film and UI tweaks .
Already announce marquee features include improved multitasking and satellite connectivity . secret Space , meanwhile , is a kind of on - twist incognito style , which add added authentication requisite for sensitive info . An improved Doze mode , meanwhile , should improve machine battery life .
What about Assistant?
The interrogation of Google Assistant ’s fate has loom large over the last several Gemini update . It ’s light that Google ultimately wants its in - house GenAI to take over Android ’s most pressing tasks , but it stay to be see whether that means replacing Assistant in a flash or reenforce it the way Apple haswith Siri .
user can currently swear on Gemini as their master help , if they pick out , though Google ultimately did the veracious matter and held off supervene upon Assistant outright .
Assistant played a more central character in previous old age ’ Made by Google case , owing to the inclusion of Google Home / Nest announcements . As excitement around smart base devices has waned , however , the company has taken its foot off the gas . Perhaps Gemini ’s reaching can emit some much - ask living back into the blank .
The Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2
The voguish home family may have cool down , but Google has been enough bullish on wearables since its2020 Fitbit attainment . The Pixel Watch 3 appear destined to get some stage prison term at the August 13 event . ditto mark for Pixel Buds Pro 2 .
Made by Google bang off at 10 a.m. PT on August 13 . Stay tune up for more information .
