Victoria Song, a Google products expert, Allison Johnson, a consumer electronics specialist, and Chris Welch, a mobile tech analyst, dive into Google's latest gadget reveals. They discuss the exciting features of the Pixel 9, the upgraded Pixel Watch 3, and the promising Pixel Buds Pro 2. The trio explores quirks of folding phones and Google's shift from Chromecast to a new streaming device. With a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism, they also highlight innovations in AI and the evolving landscape of fitness tech.
The Pixel 9 features significant upgrades like an enhanced ultra-wide camera and a new Tensor G4 chip, boosting AI capabilities.
Google's Pixel Watch 3 emphasizes serious health and fitness tracking, including a pulse detection feature for emergency services assistance.
The newly launched Google TV Streamer reflects a design shift and aims to compete with high-end streaming options despite lacking major performance enhancements.
Deep dives
The Pixel Lineup: A Step Forward
The latest additions to Google's Pixel phone lineup include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Fold. The Pixel 9 features incremental upgrades like improved RAM and an enhanced ultra-wide camera, alongside a new Tensor G4 chip aimed at boosting AI capabilities. While the Pixel 9 remains one of the more affordable options, its price hike raises questions about competitive positioning in the market. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro offers more advanced features like increased RAM and is optimized for AI functions, but it won't ship until next month, creating a sense of anticipation as consumers weigh their choices.
Impressive Features of the Pixel Fold
The Pixel Fold showcases a shift to a more conventional phone shape, featuring a taller outer screen that enhances usability before opening it into a tablet format. It also boasts improvements in brightness and overall user experience, with hopes for better app compatibility and performance derived from the new Tensor chip. Although the camera quality remains a concern, the foldable's refined design positions it as a strong competitor in the foldable market. However, with a hefty price tag of $1,800, its success will heavily depend on user satisfaction and whether consumers see value in the upgraded features.
Health Tracking Enhancements in Pixel Watch 3
The Pixel Watch 3 introduces significant enhancements aimed at health and fitness tracking, making it a competitive player among smartwatches. With a new larger display option and a suite of features akin to Garmin, the watch allows for personalized workouts and detailed health insights. Notably, it includes a pulse detection feature that can call emergency services if needed, showcasing Google's push into serious health monitoring. These updates indicate Google’s commitment to integrating health with wearables while dealing with past vulnerabilities like fragile designs and software optimizations.
Revamped Pixel Buds with Enhanced Sound
The latest iteration of Pixel Buds promises substantial improvements in sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC), thanks to the introduction of the Tensor A1 chip. The new design boasts a more comfortable fit, specifically catering to active users by enhancing stability during workouts. While the notable improvements suggest an exciting upgrade, the real test will be in whether they can truly rival competing high-performance earbuds in both comfort and sound fidelity. These updates solidify Google’s position in the audio accessory market, appealing to those seeking quality audio experiences.
The Transition from Chromecast to Google TV Streamer
Google has replaced its long-standing Chromecast with the new Google TV Streamer, a move that reflects both a name change and a shift in design from a dongle to a box format. Priced at $100, the new device aims to compete against high-end streaming options but lacks groundbreaking performance improvements, leading many to question its market viability. This change may herald a new era for Google’s streaming strategy, focusing on a more integrated software experience while maintaining the casting functionality. However, its success will hinge on whether users find enough value in the streaming capabilities to transition from existing platforms.
Today on the flagship podcast of the correct height-to-width ratio of a foldable phone:
The Verge’s David Pierce, Allison Johnson, Victoria Song, and Chris Welch discuss all the new gadget announcements from Google’s Pixel event — including the Pixel 9, the Pixel Watch 3, the Pixel buds, and more.
