Key features and challenges of Google Pixel 9 series
Top 3 Key Points:
- Enhanced AI Summarization: The Google Pixel 9’s AI-powered Pixel Recorder now offers more useful summaries, surpassing previous models.
- Display Output Limitations: Despite native support for external displays, the Pixel 9 series lacks a robust desktop mode, limiting its usability.
- Improved Device Tracking: The Pixel 9 series can be located even when powered off, thanks to advanced Bluetooth technology.
The Google Pixel 9 series brings several notable improvements and features to the table, enhancing the user experience with its cutting-edge technology. However, there are still some areas where the new series could benefit from further refinement.
Pixel Recorder’s Enhanced Summarization
One of the standout features of the Google Pixel 9 is its improved Pixel Recorder app, which offers more effective summarization capabilities. While previous Pixel models struggled with generating useful summaries for longer recordings, the Pixel 9 leverages Google’s advanced AI model, Gemini Nano with multimodality, to handle this task more efficiently. This AI model processes not just text, but also images, audio, and speech, enabling the Pixel 9 to summarize transcripts of recordings over 30 minutes long, which the Pixel 8 struggled with. However, there are still limitations, particularly with recordings over an hour in length, where the app might still struggle.
Display Output Support: A Work in Progress
The Google Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, now supports display output right out of the box. This is a significant step forward as previous Pixel models lacked this feature. The phones utilize DisplayPort Alternate Mode to mirror their screens onto external displays. However, the lack of an optimized desktop interface, similar to Samsung DeX, limits its practicality. While Google is working on a more refined desktop mode for future Android releases, users currently need to tinker with settings and third-party apps to improve the experience.
Powered-Off Finding with Find My Device
Losing a smartphone can be stressful, but Google Pixel 9 series devices have a unique feature to ease this concern. These phones can still be located even when powered off, thanks to a reserve power system that keeps the Bluetooth chip active for several hours after the battery dies. This allows the phone to continue broadcasting its location to nearby devices in the Find My Device network, making it easier to track down a lost Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, or Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Pixel Studio’s AI Image Generation: Potential Pitfalls
Another intriguing feature of the Pixel 9 series is Pixel Studio, an app that creates images from text prompts using advanced AI. While this tool can unlock creativity, it also has the potential to generate inappropriate or offensive content, even with Google’s safeguards in place. This highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining ethical standards in AI-generated content.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 9 series showcases impressive advancements in AI and device features, making it a compelling option for tech enthusiasts. However, the limitations in display output and the challenges in controlling AI-generated content indicate that there’s still room for improvement. As Google continues to refine these features, future updates may unlock even more potential in the Pixel 9 series.
Top 3 Key Points:
- Google TV adds more free channels, including The Bob Ross Channel, reaching 157 total.
- Google faces a second antitrust trial, this time focused on its dominance in online advertising.
- YouTube rolls out Pause ads, encouraging users to subscribe to YouTube Premium.
Google is continuously expanding its free TV offerings. This week, Google TV added seven new channels, bringing the total to 157. New channels include The Bob Ross Channel, Comedy Dynamics, and The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan. These channels are available on Chromecast and other Google TV devices, allowing users to watch them directly through the home screen or the Freeplay app.
Initially, when Google TV launched its free channel service in 2023, there were around 80 channels. Through partnerships with platforms like Plex and Tubi, users can now access even more content through Google TV’s “Live” tab. As of now, this feature is only available in the U.S., and there’s no information on expanding it internationally.
On a different front, Google is facing another antitrust trial. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Google of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online advertising. This is the second major antitrust case against the company in just a few months, following a ruling in August that Google held a monopoly in online search.
Unlike the search case, this ad case is more complex. Google’s dominance in advertising largely stems from its acquisition of several competitors, creating a highly sophisticated system for managing ads across platforms. Now, the DOJ is arguing that Google used these acquisitions to unfairly maintain control over the digital ad market.
As the trial unfolds, witnesses from news publishers and advertising experts are testifying on how Google’s practices have impacted competition. If the court rules against Google again, the company could face serious consequences, possibly even having parts of its business broken up.
Meanwhile, over on YouTube, the platform has started expanding its Pause ads feature. These ads appear when a user pauses a video, with a static ad popping up next to the video screen. YouTube’s goal is to make these ads feel less intrusive compared to the usual pre-roll and mid-roll ads, but it’s also a clear push to get users to subscribe to YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.
Although some users are frustrated by the increasing number of ads, YouTube claims that advertisers are responding positively to the new format. However, the platform has made no indication that it plans to reduce the number of other ads users encounter, especially for those who aren’t subscribed to Premium.
In conclusion, Google’s expanding presence in TV, ongoing legal battles, and evolving advertising strategies reflect its continuing influence on both entertainment and online business.
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.
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