Google Pixel 9 launched, deep AI integration

Google unveiled a new smartphone on August 13 as the company races to integrate AI into its hardware. The standout feature on the product is the ability to search for information that appears in screenshots. Android users can also interact with the Gemini chatbot as an overlay on another app to answer questions, or create content on the overlaid app.

Google says Gemini is designed to handle complex tasks without sending data to a third party, like Apple does with Apple Intelligence. Gemini uses data right on the smartphone to analyze and make suggestions like scheduling appointments, composing messages, and personalized document summaries. In addition, the Add Me feature on the Pixel 9 phone allows two separate group selfies to be combined into one, creating a photo with everyone in it.

Google is also introducing a Gemini Live feature exclusive to Pro models, which allows users to have natural conversations with the AI ​​assistant. During the conversation, users can interrupt or change the subject, and Gemini will adapt seamlessly. Live will be rolled out first to Gemini Advanced subscribers.

The Pro models will also get an upgraded Video Boost feature, which improves video recording. The new version uses AI to upscale 4K video to 8K via Google's cloud and send it back to the smartphone. However, this feature requires a lot of bandwidth.

The event also broke another Google tradition: Pixel phones were announced in the summer instead of the fall, since the device debuted in 2016.

Pixel 9 Pro Fold gets an overhaul

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is 10.5mm thin when folded and 5.1mm thin when unfolded, an improvement over the Pixel Fold's 12.1 and 5.8mm. The weight has also been reduced from 283 to 257 grams.

In addition, the hinge has been significantly improved, allowing the device to open completely flat. The device runs on the new Tensor G4 chip, 16 GB of RAM and a 4,650 mAh battery, supporting 21 W wired charging.

The camera on the new smartphone is not much different from the previous generation, including a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 10.5-megapixel telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in white and black, and is priced at $1,799 for the 256GB version and $1,919 for the 512GB model.

Pixel 9 trio

The Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL all run the new Tensor G4. The Pro model has 16GB of RAM and a 5,060mAh battery, while the regular model has 12GB of RAM and a 4,700mAh battery. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display, while the other two models have 6.3 inches.

The camera is the strong point of the Pixel. The Pro duo is equipped with a camera cluster with a 50-megapixel main sensor, an ultra-wide and a telephoto sensor with 48 megapixels, while the selfie camera is 42 megapixels. The standard Pixel 9 model uses a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 10.5-megapixel front camera.

The Pixel 9 starts at $799, the 9 Pro starts at $999, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL starts at $1,099. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL start shipping in late August. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro Fold go on sale in September.

At the event, Google also announced the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless headphones. The Pixel Watch has a Loss of Pulse feature that uses algorithms to determine if the user's heart has stopped beating to contact emergency services.