So read on for a recap of the Made by Google October event.
If you want to watch the whole showcase for yourself, take a look at the video below.
Or read on for our live blog of the Made by Google event.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
So what’s it like to actually be at a big tech launch event?
Wel over to Lance:
“Google is holding this event in its new Pier 57 offices.
Such a spot makes for a good place to test phone cameras.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Fancy watching it live?
Then check out the video below.
Some rather jaunty music in this holding video.
And an image of the Pixel 8 Pro.
Here’s hoping for some surprises.
This is the face of a man who’s clearly excited for some Pixel goodness!
Let us know your thoughts on the Made by Google event by tweeting @TechRadar on… X.
And we’re live!
Now we’re joined by Google’s Rick Osterloh the SVP of Devices & Services at Google.
He’s touting Google innovation… and AI has already been mentioned.
And the Home app has been given a better boost at understanding natural language.
But these updates are coming next year.
Here’s the newGoogle Pixel Watch 2.
It looks a lot like the Pixel Watch but has been “upgraded inside and out.”
New aluminum housing and its lighter to wear.
And the elegant but simple band mechanism is still present and correct.
We’re hearing from an ex-Olympian about the features; afraid I missed her name!
It can also figure out how sleep tracking data can have an effect on workout performance.
Pixel Watch 2 preorders are live today and they will ship next week on October 12.
Prices start in the US at $349.
Now we’re on to new Pixel phones.
And here they are: the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8.
No big desing surprises here.
The Pixel 8 is a tad smaller than its predecessor.
Google is now talking sustainability.
But that’s a bit if a pipedream.
Now we’re onto the “Super Actua” display on the Pixel 8 Pro.
Basically it gets rather bright, topping out at 2,000 nits.
And Google glossed past it, but there’s a temperature sensor on the rear of the phone.
Onto the Tensor G3 chip.
Basically it’s more powerful and the AI processing on the chip has got a big boost.
Numbers are one thing, actual features are another.
Google is moving very fast.
Right now we’re onto the cameras, arguably the meat of the Pixel phones.
Real Tone has made it over to video too, supposedly capturing more accurate skin tones in video recordings.
Audio Magic Eraser taps into AI and Tensor G3 to remove unwanted audio in video.
It’s a little bit odd - kinda distorting reality.
But equally, it’s pretty smart.
It looks impressively powerful.
But it could also see the end of.. real photos.
Overall there is a good suite of new and improved smart camera features here.
There’s also a new ‘pro’ mode to unlock more phone controls and camera features.
Expect better details, colors and lighting in videos, even if it’s not true to life.
Now we’re onto changes to the Google Assistant.
In general, I’ve found the Google Assistant to be the best of the so-called virtual assistants.
And so some of the Bard smarts will be coming to the Assistant.
Meet the “Assistant with Bard”.
Assistant with Bard will come to testers in the next few months.
But there’s no clear timing for when general Pixel users could get access to the AI.
Google is really talking up the generative AI features of the Pixel 8 phones.
Regardless, if you want the Pixel 8 Pro it’s up for preorder right now from $999.
And the Pixel 8 start at $699.
This means the Pixel 8 phones should last until 2030.
And like that it’s the end of the Made by Google event.
We got a chance to give the new Pixel devices a spin.
Check out ourGoogle Pixel Pro 8 reviewhands-on, for Lance’s thoughts on the new flagship phone.
And Lance also took the Pixel 8 for a spin, so check out hisGoogle Pixel 8 reviewhands-on.
We also got a look at the Pixel Watch 2.
So check out Lance’sGoogle Pixel Watch 2 reviewhands-on.
We’ll be working on full reviews for the today’s Pixel devices.
So check back in with TechRadar next week.
But for now, the unit that’s caught my eye is the Pixel 8 Pro.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
