At a recent event, Google has revealed its new Pixel 8 Pro flagship smartphone, laden with significant enhancements. The device, powered by the Tensor G3 chipset, boasts an upgraded rear camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor, a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide camera.
The unique Zoom Enhance feature refines images during zoom. The Pixel 8 Pro also introduces a temperature reader, with potential applications ranging from measuring surface temperatures to human body readings. The device's 6.7-inch display incorporates LTPO technology and offers a peak brightness of 2,400 nits. These features result in a starting price of $999, a $100 increase from the Pixel 7 Pro.
Pixel 8: Compact Yet Powerful
The standard Pixel 8 has received upgrades, primarily driven by Google's G3 Tensor processor. It features a 6.2-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The camera configuration includes a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Both the Pixel 8 models will integrate new AI-based editing tools in Google Photos, such as Magic Editor and Best Take. The Pixel 8's starting price has been adjusted to $699.
The Pixel Watch 2 and Buds Pro
Design and Functionality Enhancements The Pixel Watch 2 introduces a range of improvements, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor, ensuring up to 24 hours of battery life. New sensors enable features like stress detection and automatic workout tracking. The Pixel Buds Pro will debut in new colors and benefit from conversation detection and Bluetooth Super Wideband to elevate voice call clarity.
AI-Powered Google Assistant
Google also announced the launch of Assistant with Bard, leveraging generative AI to offer personalized assistance. This enhanced assistant can help in planning trips, retrieving email details, and even generating grocery lists. Integrated with Google's existing apps like Gmail and Docs, it aids in information retrieval and summarization. Users can interact via text, voice, or images. A notable feature allows users to overlay The Bard on photos, prompting the Assistant with Bard to generate captions, even suggesting relevant hashtags. Google emphasizes the user privacy settings, with a rollout to early testers planned before its broader release on Android and iOS in the upcoming months.
Android 14 for Pixel and Beyond
At the event Google unveiled Android 14, the latest iteration of its mobile operating system, available initially on the Pixel phones (4A 5G and up). This update introduces deeper passkey support, enhanced privacy protections, and a myriad of UI, customization, and health updates. A standout feature is the AI-powered wallpaper generator, exclusive to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro at launch. The update also offers expanded passkey support, allowing fingerprint sign-ins for third-party apps and streamlining the login experience. Other features encompass better camera extension support, 10-bit HDR image support, and Android's Health Connect feature, which stores the health and fitness data on the device.on-device.
