Google recently held its Made by Google 2024 event, showcasing an impressive array of new hardware and software offerings.
The tech giant announced the highly anticipated Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3, while also highlighting significant advancements in generative AI technology.
This year’s event emphasized Google’s commitment to innovation across its ecosystem, providing users with more choices and enhanced experiences.
If you didn’t have a chance to tune into the event, here’s a breakdown of all the products and services unveiled.
1. Pixel 9 Series: Pro, XL, and Fold
Google’s Pixel 9 lineup marks a significant departure from previous years, introducing four distinct models: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
This diverse range caters to various user preferences and needs, reminiscent of Google’s past strategy with the return of an XL variant, last seen in the Pixel 4 XL from 2019.
The standard Pixel 9 features a 6.3-inch Actua display, 12GB of RAM, a 10.5MP front camera, and a dual rear camera system consisting of a 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lens. Starting at $799 (app KES 103,071) , it comes in Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Wintergreen (mint green), and Peony (baby pink) color options.
The Pixel 9 Pro elevates the experience with a 6.3-inch Super Actua display, boasting a higher brightness rating than the standard Actua display. It packs 16GB of RAM, a 42MP front camera, and a triple rear camera setup (50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto).
Also Read: Google Pixel 8: Everything you need to know
Priced from $999 (KES 128,871), it’s available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel (grey), and Rose Quartz (pink). As an added bonus, Pixel 9 Pro users receive one year of Google One AI Premium Plan, which includes access to Gemini Advanced, Gemini Live, and 2TB of cloud storage.
For those who prefer larger screens, the Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts a 6.8-inch Super Actua display while maintaining the Pro’s specifications. It starts at $1,099 (app KES 141,771) and shares the same color options as the Pro model.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google’s latest foldable device, features a 6.3-inch Actua outer display and an 8-inch Super Actua inner display. It comes with 16GB of RAM, a 10MP front camera, and a camera configuration similar to last year’s Pixel Fold (48MP wide, 10.5MP ultrawide, and 10.8MP telephoto). Pricing begins at $1,799 (app KES 232,071), and it’s available in Obsidian and Porcelain.
All Pixel 9 models are powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chip, offer 24-hour+ battery life, support emergency SOS with crisis alerts, and come with seven years of software and security updates. Pre-orders for the entire lineup begin on August 13.
2. Android 15 and AI Advancements
Google’s commitment to AI innovation is evident in the new features introduced with Android 15. Following in the footsteps of Samsung and Apple’s AI push, Google has expanded its Gemini and AI offerings throughout its new product lineup.
Gemini, an advanced AI assistant, replaces Google Assistant as the default on Android phones. This upgrade brings improved understanding and interaction capabilities, including the ability to comprehend on-screen content with the new Gemini overlay feature.
Google has also made Gemini Live available for Android users subscribed to Gemini Advanced, providing access to more advanced conversational capabilities.
Several AI-powered tools enhance the user experience. “Add Me” allows users to merge a group photo with a photo of the person behind the camera, creating an inclusive image of everyone together.
“Pixel Screenshots” uses AI to process screenshots and help users find them later with simple text prompts, addressing shortcomings of similar features like Microsoft’s Recall by only ingesting user-taken screenshots and allowing users to toggle it on or off.
“Call Notes,” accessible from the call screen UI, provides users with a detailed AI-powered summary of a call’s key points once activated.
“Reimagine” enables users to edit specific parts of a picture using AI, allowing them to add elements like sunsets or change the color of objects with simple prompts.
Google has also updated its Magic Editor feature. The new Auto Frame in Magic Editor automatically reframes photos, suggests the best crop, and even expands images post-production.
To address privacy and security concerns, Google emphasizes that these AI features utilize Gemini Nano, an on-device multimodal AI model, ensuring data remains secure on the user’s device without relying on cloud processing.
3. Pixel Buds Pro 2: Enhanced Audio Experience
Two years after the launch of the original Pixel Buds Pro, Google has unveiled a revamped set of wireless earbuds. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer significant improvements while maintaining a similar two-toned aesthetic as their predecessors.
Available in Hazel, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony, these earbuds feature a custom-designed 11mm dynamic speaker driver and the Tensor A1 chip for enhanced audio processing.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 boast Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0, Transparency mode, Conversation Detection, a voice accelerometer, and three microphones for improved call quality.
With an IP54 rating for the earbuds and IPX4 for the case, they’re suitable for active lifestyles and resistant to sweat and water. The familiar egg-shaped charging cradle houses the earbuds, which feature a comfortable design with a bulb and wingtips. Capacitive touch sensors allow users to control music, calls, and other functions with taps and swipes.
Priced at $229 (app KES 38,571), the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are set to hit the market with pre-orders beginning on August 13, alongside other new Pixel devices.
4. Pixel Watch 3: Bigger and Better
The Pixel Watch 3 introduces subtle yet meaningful improvements, including a brighter 2,000-nit peak display and extended battery life made possible by dual chip architecture.
New fitness features cater to health-conscious users, such as the Morning Brief that provides a readiness score based on the previous day’s activity, along with advanced training metrics. The most notable addition to the Pixel Watch lineup is the larger 45mm model, addressing previous concerns about the watch’s size.
This new XL version features a 45mm screen (compared to the regular 41mm) and a bigger 420 mAh battery, though it’s worth noting that a larger capacity doesn’t always guarantee longer endurance if the display consumes more power.
Both the 41mm and 45mm versions feature an Actua display, Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen, and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for improved device tracking with features like Find My Device. The watches run on Wear OS 5.0, ensuring a smooth and up-to-date smartwatch experience.
The Pixel Watch 3 41mm starts at $349 (KES 45,021) and is available in a Matte Black aluminum case with an Obsidian active band, a Polished Silver aluminum case with a Porcelain active band, a Champagne Gold aluminum case with a Hazel active band, and a Polished Silver aluminum case with a Rose Quartz active band.
The 45mm model starts at $399 (app KES 51,471) and comes in fewer colorways: a matte black aluminum case with an obsidian active band, polished silver aluminum case with a porcelain active band, and matte hazel aluminum case with a hazel active band.
Pre-orders for both Pixel Watch 3 models begin on August 13, alongside other new Pixel devices.
Google’s latest product lineup demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation across its ecosystem. From diverse smartphone options to AI-powered features and improved wearables, Google continues to push the boundaries of technology.
The Pixel 9 series offers something for everyone, from compact devices to foldables, while the advancements in AI and machine learning promise to make our devices smarter and more intuitive than ever before.
With the refined Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the expanded Pixel Watch 3 lineup, Google is making a strong push in the wearables market, offering users more choices and enhanced experiences.
As these devices hit the market, it will be exciting to see how they perform and how users respond to Google’s latest innovations.
