AT&T won’t sell Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Google’s ongoing struggles with Pixel devices
Top 3 Key Points:
- AT&T drops Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AT&T won’t offer Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which could impact Google’s sales in the U.S.
- Hardware challenges persist: Google’s Pixel series continues to struggle with hardware issues, despite improvements in AI and design.
- Questionable feature choices: Google faces criticism for inconsistent feature offerings and pricing strategies, particularly in global markets.
Google has recently introduced the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, their second-generation foldable phone. However, if you’re an AT&T customer eager to buy this new device, there’s some bad news. AT&T has confirmed that they will not be offering the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a decision that could potentially hurt Google’s sales in the U.S. market. This is significant because AT&T is one of the largest carriers in the country, with nearly 72 million postpaid phone customers.
For many U.S. consumers, buying a phone through a carrier is the norm, as it often comes with attractive deals and promotions. While the original Pixel Fold was available through AT&T, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold won’t be, although other Pixel 9 series devices, such as the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and Pixel Watch 3, will be offered by the carrier. It’s unclear whether AT&T will certify unlocked Pixel 9 Pro Fold devices for use on their network.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts several upgrades over its predecessor, including the powerful Tensor G4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and Google’s latest AI features. It’s also lighter and features larger displays, with a 6.3-inch cover screen and an 8-inch main screen. Despite AT&T’s decision, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will still be available on Verizon and T-Mobile, with a starting price of $1,799 and a release date of September 4.
As a fan of Pixel phones, I appreciate their clean software and consistent camera performance, which often makes them my go-to device despite using various phones throughout the year. However, Google’s Pixel series isn’t without its flaws. Over the years, I’ve encountered several hardware issues, from screen problems on the Pixel 2 XL to random detachment of the volume rocker on the Pixel 7 Pro. These issues are more common with Pixels compared to other brands, raising concerns about the durability of these devices, especially now that Google is offering seven years of updates.
While Google’s focus on AI and software is commendable, the company still struggles with getting the basics right. Some of this can be attributed to hardware choices, such as using Samsung’s Exynos 2400 as the foundation for the Tensor G4 chip. Although Google doesn’t prioritize raw performance, the lack of effective thermal management in the Pixel 9 series makes them prone to overheating and throttling.
Moreover, Google has made some questionable decisions regarding feature availability across different markets. For instance, most global models of the Pixel 9 series come with a Wi-Fi 7 modem, but the models sold in India are stuck with an older Wi-Fi 6 modem. Similarly, certain features like 8K video and Night Sight video are limited to the Pro variants, and the base models still come with just 128GB of storage, which feels outdated in 2024.
It’s also puzzling that the base models of the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL have 16GB of RAM paired with only 128GB of storage, a combination that doesn’t make much sense. Google seems to be following Apple’s pricing strategy, encouraging customers to pay more for higher storage options, but without offering the same level of features and trade-in deals as competitors like Samsung.
While these might seem like minor annoyances, they add up, especially in the competitive flagship market where every detail counts. Google may position its devices as the best in AI, but if it wants to compete with Apple and Samsung on pricing, it needs to deliver on the basics as well.
Key points:
- Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
- Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
- Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.
Android 15 Delayed
Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.
Gemini Live Goes Free
In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.
Pixel 6 and Later
The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.
Key Points:
- Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
- Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
- Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.
Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:
Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.
Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:
Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.
Other Chrome Updates:
Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.
These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.
YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.
- AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
- AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
- AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.
YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.
Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.
Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.
For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”
YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.
For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.
These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.
-
News7 months agoSamsung USA crafting One UI 6.1.1
-
Apps7 months agoGboard Proofread feature will support selected text
-
News6 months ago
Breaking: Samsung Galaxy S22 may get Galaxy AI features
-
News6 months agoSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with One UI 6.1 and all S24 AI features revealed
-
News7 months ago
One UI 6.1 Auracast (Bluetooth LE Audio) feature coming to many Samsung phones
-
Apps4 months agoGoogle’s fancy new Weather app is finally available for more Android phones
-
News7 months agoSatellite SOS feature coming to Google Pixel phones, evidence leaked
-
News7 months agoGoogle Pixel evolves as Europe’s third best selling flagship