In a bold move to assert its dominance in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, Google is set to unveil its Pixel 9 smartphone range earlier than usual. The tech giant's strategy, according to industry experts, is aimed at outpacing competitors and establishing leadership in the AI-driven smartphone market.
The highly anticipated Made by Google event, scheduled for Tuesday evening, marks a significant departure from the company's traditional October launch timeline. This strategic shift positions Google to make its announcements ahead of Apple's annual iPhone reveal, typically held in September.
Ben Wood, a renowned smartphone expert and chief analyst at CCS Insight, offers insight into Google's motivations. "We believe this is an effort to get the jump on Apple's iPhone event in September, particularly in terms of AI announcements," Wood explains. He suggests that by announcing new AI features first, Google could potentially "claim leadership in this area."
The tech industry has witnessed AI-powered tools becoming a crucial arena for innovation. Google's latest offering, the Pixel 9 range, will be the first to incorporate the company's generative AI chatbot, Gemini, showcasing the firm's commitment to AI integration.
Wood anticipates that Google will emphasize its advanced camera capabilities, acknowledging the pivotal role smartphone cameras play in consumer purchasing decisions. He also expects Google to highlight its proprietary Tensor chipset, positioning it as a competitive advantage in delivering AI-powered experiences.
The analyst predicts a strong focus on AI features during the event, with Google likely to showcase anchor services such as Circle to Search, alongside enhancements in message handling and photo editing capabilities. Intriguingly, Wood hints at potential new features, including an 'add me to this photo' function for group photographs.
Google's accelerated launch follows Samsung's introduction of Galaxy AI to its foldable phone range in January. The Korean tech giant's AI suite offers tools for translation, transcription, and photo editing, underscoring the growing importance of AI in smartphone functionality.
Apple, not to be left behind, previewed its AI plans in June under the banner of Apple Intelligence. The Cupertino-based company aims to integrate more artificial intelligence features into the iPhone, including a partnership with OpenAI to incorporate the ChatGPT chatbot into Apple software.
As the battle for AI supremacy in smartphones intensifies, Google's early move with the Pixel 9 launch could set a new precedent in the industry. The coming months will reveal whether this strategy succeeds in positioning Google as the leader in smartphone AI technology, or if competitors can match or surpass its innovations.
