Google’s subsequent huge {hardware} occasion is about for August 13 at 10 a.m. PT. That’s roughly a two-month head begin for the Made By Google occasion, which has historically occurred mid-fall. It additionally, notably, will discover the corporate saying its newest flagship, the Pixel 9, forward of the iPhone 16. Apple’s newest is about for a September announcement.
Google hasn’t given justification for the shuffle. Maybe issues can be too noisy lower than a month forward of what has already grow to be probably the most weird presidential election in fashionable U.S. historical past. The corporate additionally little doubt has rather a lot to debate on the Gemini entrance. The brand new gadgets will nearly definitely debut key new generative AI options forward of the remainder of the Android discipline.
One custom Google’s caught with this yr is the pre-event system reveal. The transfer inevitably sucks among the oxygen out of the room earlier than the large occasion, but it surely’s confirmed an efficient method to generate pleasure in the course of the summer time client electronics doldrums. Earlier this week, Google confirmed off two new gadgets: the Pixel 9 Professional and the Pixel 9 Fold, the road’s most premium entries.
Telephones constructed for “the Gemini period”

Each carry the tagline “A (foldable) telephone constructed for the Gemini period,” setting the stage for the most recent in a protracted line of AI-themed tech occasions. Gemini took heart stage at Google I/O again in Might, although the developer-focused occasion noticed rather more information centered on laying the groundwork for the corporate’s AI ambitions.
Actually, Google made a aware try and distance its client {hardware} choices from the developer convention, saying the budget-focused Pixel 8a days forward of the occasion. Notably, probably the most intriguing consumer-facing Android AI function this yr didn’t debut on a Pixel system in any respect. Circle to Search arrived first on Samsung’s Galaxy S24 again in January.
Apple made its personal AI splash at WWDC in June with the launch of Apple Intelligence. Cupertino doesn’t have the identical generative AI firepower as Google or OpenAI, which is exactly why it’s opened itself as much as partnerships with each.
Apple’s strategy to the class is small scale, performing as a lot as attainable on-device. Google has taken its personal steps in that course with Gemini Nano. The considerably smaller mannequin arrived on Pixel 8 gadgets by way of a function drop simply final month.
In recent times, Google has been clear about its ambitions to develop the Pixel line past its long-standing second-fiddle place within the Android market. The corporate has been producing in-house cell chips for a number of system generations now. Coupled with all the R&D that’s been pumped into Gemini, may this be the second Pixel lastly breaks away?
Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional Fold
The Pixel 9 Professional was one among two teaser movies launched by the corporate earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, Gemini bought considerably extra display screen time than the {hardware}. Twenty of the video’s 30 seconds are dedicated to asking the GenAI to write down a “breakup letter” for an previous telephone, in favor of “one thing magical.”
That factor is, you guessed it, the Pixel 9 Professional, which rotates 180 levels to disclose the digicam bar to finish all digicam bars. Google has baked the digicam bar into the Pixel’s design language, however this pronounced visor is sufficient to make Cyclops blush. The bar now not runs the size of the system’s again, however the digicam bump now juts out at a sharper angle.
The video for Google’s newest foldable is nearly an identical, although right here the display screen opens to disclose the phrases “Oh hello, AI,” earlier than closing to showcase the system’s again. The design language on the digicam bump is analogous, although the foldable’s is off-center and options stacked lenses.
Google’s determination to go along with “Pixel 9 Professional Fold,” fairly than, say, the Pixel Fold 2, appears to sign a deeper integration into the bottom Pixel line. The corporate could finally decide to place the Professional Fold because the true premium system within the line. Even with the $100 value improve that got here with final yr’s Pixel 8 launch, the road has undercut the likes of Samsung and Apple.
The corporate finally threw warning to the wind with the primary Pixel Fold, which arrived final summer time with a beefy $1,799 price ticket. The beginning value has since come down considerably, nevertheless. You’ll be able to choose one up straight from Google for $1,300. You’d be suggested to attend a number of weeks, although, to see what Made by Google has in retailer.
Google is predicted to announce 4 Pixel gadgets: the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL and Pixel 9 Professional Premium. The entire gadgets ought to sport the corporate’s newest in-house chip, the Tensor G4 and run Android 15.
Android 15
The newest beta of Android 14 (beta 4) dropped simply final week. Whereas I/O previewed some options, you’ll have to attend till the August 13 occasion for its last launch. Code-named “Vanilla Ice Cream” (these pleasant dessert names are nonetheless used internally), the most recent model of the cell working system will convey new options and UI tweaks.
Already introduced marquee options embrace improved multitasking and satellite tv for pc connectivity. Personal Area, in the meantime, is a sort of on-device incognito mode, which brings added authentication necessities for delicate data. An improved Doze mode, in the meantime, ought to enhance system battery life.
What about Assistant?

The query of Google Assistant’s destiny has loomed massive over the past a number of Gemini updates. It’s clear that Google finally needs its in-house GenAI to take over Android’s most urgent duties, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not meaning changing Assistant outright or reinforcing it the way in which Apple has with Siri.
Customers can at the moment depend on Gemini as their major assistant, in the event that they select, although Google finally did the precise factor and held off changing Assistant outright.
Assistant performed a extra central position in earlier years’ Made by Google occasions, owing to the inclusion of Google House/Nest bulletins. As pleasure round sensible dwelling gadgets has waned, nevertheless, the corporate has taken its foot off the fuel. Maybe Gemini’s arrival can breathe some much-needed life again into the house.
The Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Professional 2

The sensible dwelling class could have cooled, however Google has been lots bullish on wearables since its 2020 Fitbit acquisition. The Pixel Watch 3 seems destined to get some stage time on the August 13 occasion. Ditto for Pixel Buds Professional 2.
Made by Google kicks off at 10 a.m. PT on August 13. Keep tuned for more information.