I yearn for the days when phone launches were merely phone launches, rather than AI events that I must presume were generated by AI that promptly disregarded instructions and decided to make the event all about itself.
In an effort to persuade us that its artificial intelligence (AI) is more captivating, Google neglected to address the most recent hardware and smartphones at its Made by Google event on August 13.
Not about phones
If you are in search of evidence that the event was not primarily about the Pixel phones, look no further than the fact that Google utilized Samsung and Motorola phones on stage to showcase its AI capabilities at an event that it had previously announced would feature the new Pixel 9 series devices.
Additionally, the presentation began with a 30-minute discussion and demonstration of Gemini AI prior to the introduction of the phones. Before the Pixel 9 was even discussed, we observed it being used for an AI demonstration.
After an hour of the event, I had only observed a small number of renderings depicting the Pixel 9 phones, as the hardware was largely disregarded.
The new phones seem to be a remarkable advancement of an already exceptional design. However, despite the fact that Google had cameras positioned throughout the stage, we were unable to obtain any stunning close-up beauty photos of the phones.
Why? Because everyone was eager to demonstrate how the AI would manipulate my photographs, provide me with weather information, arrange images, and frequently use the word “super.”
The issue is that none of Google’s AI demonstrations were particularly compelling. All of the variations on a theme that were observed at Google I/O this year were identical. Indeed, there were instances during which I experienced a sense of reliving Google I/O, a sensation that I did not enjoy.
It only got worse
The Pixel Watch 3’s introduction was completed in less than 10 minutes, despite the fact that it featured one of the only genuinely intriguing features of the event: Loss of Pulse Detection.
This is a health feature that has never been observed before, and unlike the majority of AI demonstrations, it was immediately comprehensible to all individuals as to why it was significant and how it could potentially impact someone’s life.
However, Google was unable to maintain its silence for an extended period, as it immediately seized the opportunity to conduct a live display of an individual conversing with Gemini Live upon the release of the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
It was as awkward and cringe-inducing as all of the other lets-talk-to-AI demonstrations during the event, so we did not learn anything new, and it certainly did not contribute to the product’s sales.
“The Gemini era is real,” declared Rick Osterloh, Google’s vice president of platforms and devices, at the conclusion of the event. He then proceeded to discuss AI in greater detail. It was at least about Project Astra, which was one of the few intriguing developments that emerged from Google I/O.
However, in this instance, the overwhelming amount of artificial intelligence that all individuals had to endure rendered it uninteresting. The closing demonstrations continued indefinitely, with increasingly absurd inquiries that I am skeptical that anyone will ever pose to AI with any sincerity. Comparable to the process of establishing a business.
It’s all over
Osterloh announced that attendees could immediately experiment with the AI features upon the conclusion of the event. He did not instruct individuals to test the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, or Pixel Watch.
Google’s focus is entirely on Gemini and AI, to the extent that it has neglected that we all need to purchase phones, watches, and earbuds in order to use them. I believe that several new devices were introduced during the event that would have been suitable for the purpose; however, I must have overlooked the specifics when I departed for the restroom.
I am interested in learning about the hardware and the fundamental technology that enables the AI to function. I aspire to be captivated by the new design and comprehend each curve of the revised shape.
I am interested in learning about the testing process that resulted in the phones being twice as durable, as well as seeing the evidence to support this claim. Drop a phone from an aircraft or something similar.
Demonstrate the watch on a wrist with a variety of straps to illustrate the new dimensions and the significant reduction in size of the bezels. Despite my desire to develop a strong attachment to the products during a product launch event, I emerged from this one with a limited understanding of them.
Oh, and if you stuck around for the After Party livestream, Sean Evans, the presenter of Hot Ones, sat down with Osterloh and served him spicy wings and prewritten questions. The initial one? “What is the most exciting aspect of the current state of AI?” It would be amusing if it were not so profoundly depressing.