What you should know
- Google often publicizes 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 could possibly be attempting 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. At the very least, that was the launch cycle till Google shocked us all by asserting a Made by Google occasion in the course of August. Invitations have been despatched out earlier this week, and it’s clearly the Pixel 9 sequence launch occasion.
Media invitations defined that the Made by Google occasion was taking place 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 could possibly be introduced on the Made by Google occasion, together with as many as 4 smartphones. There could be three common Pixel 9 sequence gadgets 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 all the time 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 high of that, there are gadgets that rumors and leaks have prompt 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 could possibly be extra.
Android 15 may additionally be revealed additional on the occasion for the reason that Pixel 9 sequence would be the first smartphone to ship operating the up to date working system. However why is the occasion coming practically two months sooner than typical? We don’t know for certain, however there are just a few causes Google might need jumped the gun on the Pixel 9 sequence 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 have been previewed or introduced at I/O. If you happen to 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 a substitute, it’s doable that Google desires to restrict the primary Pixel {hardware} releases to a single occasion. This may give us a cause why Google is rumored to name the Pixel Fold successor the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, versus the Pixel Fold 2.
In a method, 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 Could. Then, the flagship Pixels and Pixel Watch launch in October. This method signifies that there are new Pixel gadgets launched roughly each 6 months.
August is correct in the course of Could and October, so if Google desires to consolidate its product releases, August can be the month to do it. As such, I wouldn‘t be shocked if we noticed a wide range of {hardware} releases on the Made by Google occasion. If that is certainly Google’s plan, consumers would be capable to get a take a look at the entire Pixel ecosystem each summer season.
Google could be getting forward of Apple Intelligence
By shifting the Made by Google occasion to August, Google is getting forward of Apple’s annual September occasion. There’s no strategy 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 arduous to remain on the high 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 sequence, so Google may get forward of Apple Intelligence by shifting up the Made by Google occasion date.
Google may additionally debut new AI options which can be unique to the Pixel 9 sequence. It has an opportunity to set the bar earlier than Apple Intelligence and the iPhone 16 sequence are publicly launched, and that’s an enormous profit to having an occasion in August.
Lastly, the corporate may by attempting to chop down on leaks by releasing the Pixel 9 sequence earlier. Latest Pixel releases have been ravaged by leaks, with practically all particulars concerning the gadgets turning into obtainable earlier than they’re introduced. Shortening the discharge cycle offers leakers much less time to assemble data. Nonetheless, that is most likely the least doubtless of the doable causes for the August occasion. Corporations are all the time attempting to restrict leaks, however they don’t often alter their plans due to them.
Of all of the potential causes for Google shifting its occasion as much as August, I believe the discharge schedule makes probably the most sense. There have been inklings that Google has needed to consolidate its product releases, and there being no launches at I/O was a telltale signal that the corporate is shaking issues up.