Technology
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 2:39 pm EDT
Key Points
- Google unveiled two new smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, along with the Pixel Watch 2 during its Made by Google event, aiming to compete with Apple’s iPhone in the smartphone market.
- The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro feature design updates and are powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G3 chip, offering AI-powered camera enhancements and innovative features such as a built-in thermometer. The Pixel Watch 2 introduces stress tracking and improved fitness features, all while being integrated with the Fitbit platform.
During Google’s Made by Google event in New York City, the tech giant unveiled two new smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, along with its latest smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 2. These devices are Google’s latest endeavors to compete with Apple’s iPhone.
The Pixel 8 starts at $699, while the Pixel 8 Pro begins at $999, marking a $100 price increase compared to last year’s Pixel 7 series. Although the Pixel brand has been gradually gaining market share, it does not contribute significantly to Alphabet, Google’s parent company’s revenue, which primarily comes from Google ads and Google Cloud services.
Both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro feature design updates with rounder corners and flatter displays compared to their predecessors. The Pixel 8 boasts a high-quality screen with fast refresh rates, rivaling the smoothness of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
These new smartphones are powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G3 chip, which enables the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in various aspects, particularly in enhancing the camera performance. The Pixel 8 Pro introduces AI-powered editing tools, including Magic Eraser for removing unwanted elements from photos and a new feature called Best Take for creating the perfect group shots. Google has also improved its Real Tone photography feature for more accurate representation of diverse skin tones. Additionally, the Audio Magic Eraser allows users to remove unwanted background sounds from videos.
One unique feature of the Pixel 8 Pro is its built-in thermometer, which can be used to measure the temperature of beverages and cookware, although its other potential uses remain unclear. The Tensor G3 chip is expected to improve call quality and spam call detection.
Both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro come with Android 14 pre-installed, making them the first smartphones to launch with this latest Android version.
Google also introduced the Pixel Watch 2, which continues to incorporate the Fitbit platform acquired by Alphabet in 2021. One standout feature is stress tracking, where the watch collects data such as heart rate variability and skin temperature to identify moments of stress and provide healthy recommendations, such as taking a walk or trying a guided breathing exercise. The watch also includes improved heart rate tracking and workout detection, with a promised battery life of up to 24 hours when using the always-on display.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/04/google-pixel-8-pixel-8-pro-and-pixel-watch-2-announced-price-release-date.html
