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What you’ll want to know
- Google often declares merchandise in October, however the firm despatched out shock invitations for a Made by Google occasion in August this week.
- Moreover, Google bucked a rising pattern when it determined to not announce or showcase new {hardware} at Google I/O 2024 final month.
- Google might be making an attempt to streamline its product bulletins, thwart leaks, and beat rivals to the punch with the early occasion.
Tech product launches are nothing if not constant. Samsung does biannual Galaxy Unpacked occasions in the summertime and winter, Apple makes iPhone bulletins in September, and Google does Pixel occasions in October. Not less than, that was the launch cycle till Google stunned us all by asserting a Made by Google occasion in the course of August. Invitations had been despatched out earlier this week, and it’s clearly the Pixel 9 collection launch occasion.
Media invitations defined that the Made by Google occasion was occurring Tuesday, August 13 at Google’s Mountain View headquarters. There’s a keynote scheduled for 10 AM PT, and attendees will get hands-on time with the merchandise afterward. However the stunner has one thing to do with the date: Google didn’t host a Made by Google occasion till October 4 of final yr.
Many might be introduced on the Made by Google occasion, together with as many as 4 smartphones. There could be three common Pixel 9 collection units revealed, in addition to a Pixel Fold successor. Moreover, Google may launch a number of Pixel Watch variants for the primary time ever. If that wasn’t sufficient, there’s at all times the chance that Google surprises us with one thing else.
The Pixel Pill could be due for an replace, and Google hasn’t touched Nest {hardware} shortly. On prime of that, there are units that rumors and leaks have steered are able to go, like a brand new model of the Chromecast with Google TV 4K. The Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 fashions really feel like digital locks for a debut on the Made by Google occasion, however there might be extra.
Android 15 may additionally be revealed additional on the occasion for the reason that Pixel 9 collection would be the first smartphone to ship working the up to date working system. However why is the occasion coming almost two months sooner than common? We don’t know for certain, however there are just a few causes Google might need jumped the gun on the Pixel 9 collection launch.
Google didn’t announce {hardware} at Google I/O
This yr, Google I/O 2024 was all about software program. It’s a developer convention, however that is the primary time shortly that no {hardware} merchandise had been previewed or introduced at I/O. For those who recall, the Pixel Pill was showcased at I/O 2022 and subsequently launched after I/O 2023. Google additionally introduced the primary Pixel Fold at I/O 2023.
It will make sense for Google to maintain a constant launch cycle by refreshing the Pixel Fold and Pixel Pill at subsequent I/O conferences. That didn’t occur this yr. As an alternative, it’s doable that Google needs to restrict the primary Pixel {hardware} releases to a single occasion. This may give us a purpose why Google is rumored to name the Pixel Fold successor the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, versus the Pixel Fold 2.
In a approach, this technique is sound. Google’s {hardware} releases are unfold out, with the A-series Pixel, Pixel Pill, and Pixel Fold all often releasing someday in Might. Then, the flagship Pixels and Pixel Watch launch in October. This method signifies that there are new Pixel units launched roughly each 6 months.
August is true in the course of Might and October, so if Google needs to consolidate its product releases, August can be the month to do it. As such, I wouldn‘t be stunned if we noticed quite a lot of {hardware} releases on the Made by Google occasion. If that is certainly Google’s plan, consumers would be capable of get a take a look at the whole Pixel ecosystem each summer season.
Google could be getting forward of Apple Intelligence
By transferring the Made by Google occasion to August, Google is getting forward of Apple’s annual September occasion. There’s no method to know whether or not this was intentional or only a coincidence, however there are clear benefits to the transfer. Google was the primary to make an “AI smartphone” with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional final yr, and with Apple Intelligence on the horizon, it might want to work onerous to remain on the prime of the cellular AI race.
Google has a quite a few synthetic intelligence options bundled with Android 15, together with AI-based spam name detection and automated theft detection. There are loads extra that tie in with Gemini, Circle to Search, and different options. Android 15 will publicly launch first on the Pixel 9 collection, so Google may get forward of Apple Intelligence by transferring up the Made by Google occasion date.
Google may additionally debut new AI options which might be unique to the Pixel 9 collection. It has an opportunity to set the bar earlier than Apple Intelligence and the iPhone 16 collection are publicly launched, and that’s an enormous profit to having an occasion in August.
Lastly, the corporate may by making an attempt to chop down on leaks by releasing the Pixel 9 collection earlier. Latest Pixel releases have been ravaged by leaks, with almost all particulars in regards to the units changing into out there earlier than they’re introduced. Shortening the discharge cycle offers leakers much less time to assemble info. Nonetheless, that is most likely the least doubtless of the doable causes for the August occasion. Corporations are at all times making an attempt to restrict leaks, however they don’t often alter their plans due to them.
Of all of the potential causes for Google transferring its occasion as much as August, I feel the discharge schedule makes probably the most sense. There have been inklings that Google has wished to consolidate its product releases, and there being no launches at I/O was a telltale signal that the corporate is shaking issues up.
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