Google Unveils AI-Powered Pixel 10 Smartphones with Advanced Gemini Features

Google Launches Pixel 10 Phones With Ambitious New AI Features

Company takes AI victory lap by showcasing Gemini on Pixel Watch 4, new foldable, and earbuds. Alphabet Inc.'s Google introduced a new slate of consumer gadgets on Wednesday, including several smartphones, a watch and new wireless earbuds, all meant to show off the company's latest advances in artificial intelligence. The phone lineup consists of the Pixel 10 ($800), Pixel 10 Pro ($1,000), Pixel 10 Pro XL ($1,200) and Pixel 10 Pro Fold ($1,800). The Pixel Watch 4 costs $350 for its smaller 41mm size and $400 for the 45mm model. And the company's latest budget earbuds, the Pixel Buds 2a, will run $130. Most of the phones have the same starting price as their direct predecessors except for the XL, which now comes with double the storage.

Google tries to trump iPhone with AI-powered Pixel 10 phones

Video In a celebrity-studded launch event on Wednesday, Google showed off its Pixel 10 hardware, including four smartphones, an updated smartwatch, and earbuds. Unsurprisingly, every gadget comes with a heavy dose of AI. It's been nearly nine years since Google unveiled its first Pixel phone in an attempt to challenge Apple in the premium handset market, and the Chocolate Factory has priced and specced the Pixel 10 range accordingly. The base spec Pixel 10 goes for $799, the Pixel 10 Pro for $999, the Pro XL for $1,199, and the foldable Pro Fold clocks in at $1,799, with the latter shipping on October 9 compared to August 28 for the rest of the range. In hardware terms, Google's big selling point is its Tensor G5 chip that's optimized for AI workloads. The phones come with 12GB of RAM for the 10 and 16GB for the other handsets. Google uses all this memory and processing power to drive a host of AI features, most notably its Magic Cue system, which trawls through your data, from Gmail, Calendar, Screenshots, and Messages, so that you don't have to. As shown at Wednesday's Made by Google event, which was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Cue uses its Gemini Nano AI engine to pop up suggestions based on conversations. In one demo, someone asked Fallon where he was having dinner tonight in a chat and Cue searched through and popped up the location. For business, Cue should also work for meetings and presentations. Youtube Video Google has purposely set up Cue to just use information on the handset itself, which would help with corporate data privacy rules. Overall the system looks fairly impressive, particularly in searching through large volumes of email or pictures, but we'll see once the phones actually start shipping. A potentially useful AI feature is Voice Translate. The Tensor-powered system will translate between English and French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish in near real time. It will also convey the speaker's tone and inflection, while providing a text transcript. The demo worked well, albeit with a slight pause, but this could be a real boon for international callers. If you want extra AI features, such as the ability to automatically generate emails, documents, slides and videos, you'll have to pay $20 a month extra. All handsets, with the exception of the basic Pixel 10, come with one year's free subscription. Google has also updated Voicemail so that the Nano system will ask callers if it can take a message if you don't answer the call. There's a new Daily Hub function that, depending on how you set it up, will present a single page containing scheduled appointments and ancillary information like weather, along with suggestions based on your search history. For the first time, Google has added a 5x telephoto camera to all the handsets and the Chocolate Factory has also roped AI in here too, with a Gemini-powered Camera Coach that offers tips on taking better pictures and cleaning them up if you make mistakes. It'll also make edits using voice prompts and use software-enabled zoom functions for the lens. Another new addition is wireless charging, using the Qi-2 standard that's become the de facto standard. The handsets have a magnetic holder that can handle 15W charging (25W for the Pro XL) and Google has slightly increased battery sizes of its handsets, although we'll see if the new AI capabilities will cut into usage time. In addition to the four phones, there's a revamped Pixel Watch 4 starting at $349, now touting an AI-powered personal assistant and a broader partnership with Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry, signed on as a "performance advisor." There are also two new Pixel Buds for in-ear listening, priced at $129 and $229, depending on what features you want. These will get AI features such as Adaptive Audio, which adjusts the volume based on your environment. How big a draw this AI snazziness will be is uncertain, but Google clearly wanted to make a big deal out of all its features before the next iPhone iteration comes along. Apple has been lagging somewhat in this area for its handsets, with the AI-powered Siri assistant delayed until 2026 at the earliest, something Google was keen to bring up without naming Cupertino directly. The Pixel brand still only accounts for 3 percent of the US smartphone market, according to the latest analyst figures, but those who do have one (including at least two hacks here at The Register) tend to like them. Being the first in line for security updates has definite advantages, but while sales grew 13 percent year over year in the last quarter, it's still nowhere near challenging the big three phone sellers in America - Apple, Samsung, and Motorola, respectively. ®

Google unveils modest upgrades to Pixel smartphones, other gadgets

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google introduced on Wednesday a new lineup of Pixel smartphones and gadgets, intensifying its efforts to embed artificial intelligence across a wide ecosystem of products. The products were launched at the annual 'Made by Google' event held in New York, which marked a return to more modest upgrades of its smartphones, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds compared to last year's event that industry analysts said was bigger and bolder than usual. New AI features rolling out with the Pixel 10 lineup include a "coach" in the camera app to help users take better pictures and an assistant that displays relevant information without a user's explicit request, such as showing a flight confirmation email when they call an airline. The exteriors of the phones remain largely the same, though Google added a telephoto lens on the base model to bring it in line with the cameras on its pricier units. Prices, starting at $799 for the base unit and $1,799 for the foldable model, remained flat despite concerns earlier this year that some smartphones could experience drastic price hikes due to U.S. tariffs. The Pixel 10, as well as the souped-up Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will be available later this month, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is slated to ship in October. All the Pixel phones are equipped with Google's latest mobile processor, Tensor G5, and for the first time, feature a magnetic charging technology called Pixelsnap that is reminiscent of the MagSafe functionality on rival Apple's (AAPL.O), opens new tab iPhones. Google unveiled a series of Pixelsnap chargers, cases and phone stands to accompany the launch. MARKET SHARE WOES Google's annual hardware event has traditionally served as a way for the company to show off to device makers and software developers the potential of Android, a key strategic component to battling competition from Apple, which has its own operating system for its iPhones. Though Google develops the Android operating system underlying more than 80% of smartphones worldwide, its Pixel line generates a fraction of the sales of other firms selling Android-powered phones, such as Samsung (005930.KS), opens new tab and Xiaomi (1810.HK), opens new tab. Google has so far limited its focus to the high-end market. Nearly three-quarters of Pixel shipments occurred in the United States, Japan and UK, according to research firm IDC. Amid the generative AI boom, the company shifted the timing of its hardware event for the first time last year from its traditional autumn schedule to the summer, giving it a chance to preempt Apple in promoting AI integrations on smartphones. That has not yet translated to a material improvement in market share: for the second quarter, Google held 1.1% of the worldwide smartphone market, up from 0.9% one year ago, according to IDC. In the United States, Pixel's biggest market in terms of shipments, the share slid to 4.3% from 4.5% in that same time period, according to IDC. Google announced new versions of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4, and its cheaper Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds, though it left the Pixel Buds Pro 2 pat besides announcing a new color and an upcoming software update with device-specific upgrades. Reporting by Kenrick Cai; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * Suggested Topics: * Disrupted Kenrick Cai Thomson Reuters Kenrick Cai is a correspondent for Reuters based in San Francisco. He covers Google, its parent company Alphabet and artificial intelligence. Cai joined Reuters in 2024. He previously worked at Forbes magazine, where he was a staff writer covering venture capital and startups. He received a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing in 2023. He is a graduate of Duke University.

Google spotlights AI over hardware upgrades in unveiling new smartphones

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google introduced on Wednesday a new lineup of Pixel smartphones and gadgets, intensifying its efforts to embed artificial intelligence across a wide ecosystem of products. The products were launched at the annual "Made by Google" event held in New York that diverged from its typical format to emphasize mainstream consumer appeal over technical details. Talk show host Jimmy Fallon, the Jonas Brothers and other celebrities featured heavily across the presentation, as they helped demonstrate real-world applications of Google's AI integrations into the hardware. As for the hardware itself, the upgrades were comparatively modest. "There has been a lot of hype about (AI in phones) and frankly a lot of broken promises too, but Gemini is the real deal," said Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of devices and services, referring to Google's AI chatbot and model. At its developer conference in June, iPhone maker Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab toned down its AI promises a year after it failed to deliver AI upgrades to key products such as Siri. Apple is expected to unveil its new line of iPhones this autumn. While Google's hardware upgrades were modest compared with its bold refresh in 2024, the company maintained its forward progress on its stated ambition to develop a universal AI assistant. "We've got the best models, we've got the best AI assistant, and it means this can just unlock so much helpfulness on your phone," Osterloh said. New AI features rolling out with the Pixel 10 lineup include a "coach" in the camera app to help users take better pictures and an assistant that displays relevant information without a user's explicit request, such as showing a flight confirmation email when they call an airline. Employees also demoed integrations of AI features earlier unveiled at Google's developer conference in May, such as a real-time language translation function for phone calls. The exteriors of the phones remain largely the same, though Google added a telephoto lens on the base model to bring it in line with the cameras on its pricier units. Prices, starting at $799 for the base unit and $1,799 for the foldable model, remained flat despite concerns earlier this year that some smartphones could experience drastic price hikes due to U.S. tariffs. "A lot of the stuff they showed today would probably run almost exactly the same way on last year's hardware. Their point is it's not about just the hardware anymore," said Bob O'Donnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research. MARKET SHARE WOES Google's annual hardware event has traditionally served as a way for the company to show off to device makers and software developers the potential of Android, a key strategic component to battling competition from Apple, which has its own operating system for its iPhones. Though Google develops the Android operating system underlying more than 80% of smartphones worldwide, its Pixel line generates only a fraction of the sales of other firms selling Android-powered phones, such as Samsung (005930.KS), opens new tab and Xiaomi (1810.HK), opens new tab. Analysts told Reuters this year's event appeared to be an attempt by Google to broaden the appeal of Pixel beyond its traditional base. "Last year there was such a jump in the hardware, from a design and feature perspective," said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies. "This feels more like a big push from a marketing perspective." Google's AI push has not yet translated to a material improvement in market share: for the second quarter, Google held 1.1% of the worldwide smartphone market, up from 0.9% one year ago, according to IDC. In the United States, Pixel's biggest market in terms of shipments, the share slid to 4.3% from 4.5% in that same time period, according to IDC. Google has so far limited its focus to the high-end market. Nearly three-quarters of Pixel shipments occurred in the United States, Japan and UK, according to research firm IDC. On Wednesday, the company announced it would begin selling the Pixel devices in Mexico for the first time. Google's limited geographical presence with Pixel has inhibited its ability to amass market share, analysts told Reuters. "I hope this is the start of expanding their channel presence," Milanesi said. "The opportunity of the addressable market they can reach is still what is kind of holding Google back." The Pixel 10, as well as the souped-up Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will be available later this month, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is slated to ship in October. All the Pixel phones are equipped with Google's latest mobile processor, Tensor G5, and for the first time, feature a magnetic charging technology called Pixelsnap that is reminiscent of the MagSafe functionality on Apple's iPhones. Google unveiled a series of Pixelsnap chargers, cases and phone stands to accompany the launch. Google also announced new versions of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4, and its cheaper Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds, though it did not update the Pixel Buds Pro 2 besides announcing a new color and upcoming device-specific software upgrades. Reporting by Kenrick Cai in San Francisco; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab * Suggested Topics: * Disrupted Kenrick Cai Thomson Reuters Kenrick Cai is a correspondent for Reuters based in San Francisco. He covers Google, its parent company Alphabet and artificial intelligence. Cai joined Reuters in 2024. He previously worked at Forbes magazine, where he was a staff writer covering venture capital and startups. He received a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing in 2023. He is a graduate of Duke University.

Google announces its AI-powered Pixel 10 smartphone series

Google on Wednesday debuted its latest line of Pixel smartphones that prominently feature the Gemini assistant as artificial intelligence increasingly becomes the battleground where device companies compete. The Alphabet company announced the Pixel 10 family of smartphones, saying the devices can use Google's AI to do smart tasks, like quickly surfacing the address of an Airbnb when someone sends a text asking for it. The Pixel 10 series includes several models and incorporates new AI and camera features. The baseline model, the Pixel 10, starts at $799 and is available in several colors. A more powerful Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a larger screen and 256GB of base storage starts at $1,199. Google is also releasing an updated version of its folding phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, that starts at $1,799. Google's Pixel phone launch comes before Apple is expected to announce new iPhone models in September. While the Pixel typically has single-digit market share -- far behind brands like Samsung, Motorola and Apple -- the devices enable Google to release cutting-edge Android features without going through third-party hardware makers. The Pixel line of devices also allows Google to showcase how it believes its Android software compares with that of the iPhone. The latest series of smartphones also have the potential to serve as a funnel for Google's artificial intelligence services and subscriptions. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis previously described a vision for a universal assistant that "can seamlessly operate over any domain, any modality or any device." Hassabis told employees at an all-hands meeting last year that "the products themselves are going to evolve massively over the next year or two." Google's Gemini models are considered by critics to be more advanced than the models underpinning Apple Intelligence, the iPhone's built-in AI suite. Earlier this year, Apple delayed a big update to Siri until 2026, creating an opening for Google to secure a lead among AI-eager customers with its well-respected Gemini assistant, which can already hold a natural conversation and manage calendars and other apps. A Google Pixel 10 ad released earlier this month poked fun at Apple's Siri delays. "If you buy a new phone because of a feature that's coming soon, but it's coming soon for a full year, you could change your definition of soon, or change your phone," the Pixel ad said. Among the Pixel 10's key AI features is "Magic Cue," which Google said is an AI product that "brings a new level of personalized intelligence and helpfulness." If calling an airline, Magic Cue surfaces flight details "as soon as you dial," the company says, adding that it is meant to anticipate the users' needs and suggest "relevant information and helpful actions based on the context on your phone."

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google debuts Pixel 10 and a health coach

Why it matters: With an earlier-than-usual launch, Google aims to gain some buzz ahead of Apple's expected iPhone announcement next month. Driving the news: The Pixel 10 family includes a standard model, two sizes of the Pro model as well as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, a modest update to last year's foldable. * All of the devices include Google's newest Tensor processor, the latest on-device Gemini nano AI model and Qi2 wireless charging. By the numbers: The Pixel 10 starts at $799 and includes a 6.3-inch display and a three-lens rear camera, including a 5x optical zoom, a first for the base model. * The Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999 and adds a higher-resolution 6.3-inch display, more memory and up to a 100x zoom using a combination of 5x optical zoom, cropping and computational photography. * There's also a similarly equipped Pixel 10 Pro XL model that starts at $1,199 and includes a larger 6.8-inch display. * At the highest end, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold adds wireless charging and durability improvements over last year's model, but lacks the extreme thinness Samsung achieved with its Galaxy Z Fold7. Prices starts at $1799, the same starting price as last year. * Google also unveiled new earbuds and Pixel Watch 4, which starts at $399 and features a domed display that crams more pixels into the screen with thinner bezels than its predecessor. The big picture: Google, Apple and Samsung are all leaning heavily on new AI features to convince people they need to upgrade the device already in their pockets. * Google also introduced two AI-powered "coaches" and a new feature called Magic Cue. That tool uses the Tensor chip and on-device large language model to suggest actions in Gmail, Calendar and Messages. * The coach -- included as part of the new devices' camera app -- offers tips on different angles and approaches that can make for a more compelling picture. * Meanwhile Google also debuted an AI-powered health coach that will launch in October as part of its Fitbit premium service. Google is touting it as a combination of a fitness trainer, sleep coach and health advisor. Between the lines: The Pixel 10 line are the first smartphones to add industry-standard content credentials to each photo taken with the camera that show how a picture was captured and any changes made using AI or human editing.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. "There has been a lot of hype about this and, frankly, a lot of broken promises, too," Google executive Rick Osterloh said during a 75-minute presentation in New York about the new Pixel phones. The event was emceed by late-night TV show host Jimmy Fallon. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. "We think this yeasr we have a game-changing phone with game-changing technology," Osterloh said. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. The Pixel 10 will also be able to almost instantaneously translate phone conversations into a range of different languages using the participants own voices. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google targets Apple's Achilles' heel with new AI-powered smartphone

The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with heavy AI integration

At the "Made by Google Event" on Wednesday, Google threw itself a 10th birthday party for the Pixel phone -- complete with Jimmy Fallon, the Jonas Brothers, Steph Curry, and the kind of hype line that belongs on a T-shirt: "Ask more of your phone." The hardware looked familiar, but the pitch was different. Pixel 10 isn't just about specs, it's about proving that an "AI phone" is something people might actually want to use every day. The Pixel 10 line got the showy upgrades, while the company used the stage to push a fuller ecosystem with a tougher foldable, a brighter watch, and cheaper earbuds. "This is a Taylor Swift album announcement for nerds," Fallon quipped as the cameras rolled. Rick Osterloh, Google's hardware chief, raised the stakes. "There have been a lot of broken promises about AI in phones," he said. "Gemini is the real deal." The phones themselves are familiar. The Pixel 10 starts at $799, the Pro at $999, the Pro XL at $1,199, and a new Fold variant at $1,799 -- all matching prices from last year. Every model now runs on the TSMC‑built Tensor G5 chip, with a 34% faster CPU and 60% quicker AI performance. The Pro XL pushes faster Qi2 charging; and the 10 Pro Fold picks up full IP68 dust-and-water resistance. And AI is front and center. Every model features "Magic Cue," which automatically surfaces relevant information -- such as airline and restaurant reservation confirmations -- when calling or texting people associated with the plans, drawing on Gmail, Calendar, and Maps. "Camera Coach" offers real‑time framing suggestions, and Pro models include "Super Res" or "Pro Res Zoom," enabling up to 100× zoom party trick through on‑device generative AI processing. Language tools also get a boost; voice translations now mirror the speaker in real time across multiple languages via on‑device AI processing. Photography upgrades include triple rear cameras across the lineup and stronger zoom capabilities. The Pixel 10 gets its first telephoto lens, while the Pro phones keep premium sensors and deliver enhanced zoom. Google embeds C2PA content credentials into photos, signaling when AI tools are used -- a move designed to maintain photo authenticity as digital manipulation becomes more prevalent. Most models hit stores on Aug. 28, while the Fold follows on Oct. 9. And Pro buyers get a year of Google AI Pro bundled in. The Pixel Watch 4 got a serious boost -- a 50 % brighter domed display, improved battery life, and satellite‑based SOS for when you're off the grid. For the first time, it's also designed for easier repairs, offering replaceable batteries and screens. On the audio side, the new Pixel Buds 2a are designed for a value pitch without cheapening the experience. At $129, they're the lightest and smallest such buds Google has made, now with active noise cancellation, the Tensor A1 chip, and Gemini AI assistant baked in, including message summaries and on‑the‑fly recommendations. The battery case even features a replaceable battery. Google also used the stage to stitch in showbiz: The Jonas Brothers filmed a shot-on-Pixel music video to flex 8K and audio tricks, and NBA superstar Curry signed on as a "performance advisor" across Health, Pixel, and Cloud -- a partnership Osterloh framed as merging "elite insights" with Google's AI. These AI pushes come as Apple's AI rollout, particularly its Siri enhancements, remains delayed. Google indirectly targeted those delays with a new ad highlighting its own availability of AI features and lampooning the endless "coming soon" messaging around AI upgrades. Between Wednesday's laughs and the lens flare, Google was quietly positioning itself as the leader in the AI phone race. The company doesn't just want your money today; it wants to live in your routine, powered by an AI that notices all of the details.

Google packs new Pixel phones with AI

New York (AFP) - Google on Wednesday unveiled new Pixel 10 smartphones, showcasing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities woven into its Android mobile operating system. The line-up of new products included a foldable phone, improved Pixel smartwatch, and ear buds all synced to work with AI and each other. "Pixel continues to be the best way for people to try out the latest bleeding-edge AI from Google," product manager Tyler Kugler said during a briefing with journalists. Pixel phones claim a scant portion of a high-end smartphone market ruled by Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, but custom Google hardware is an opportunity for the internet giant to highlight what is possible with its Android mobile operating system. And while Samsung routinely ranks as the world's top smartphone seller, it powers handsets with Android software from Google. "Initially, Google Pixel devices were designed as a technological showcase to limit Android fragmentation and accelerate innovation," said Forrester principal analyst Thomas Husson. "Ten years later, the strategic challenge is still not to become the market leader, but to demonstrate the value of Google's integrated ecosystem." The tactic promises to promote use of Google's platform by handset makers and is a spin on the way Apple ties together its iPhones and other devices with its software. Meanwhile, with Apple seen as lagging in the fierce AI race, Google has touted all-out efforts to integrate advanced AI throughout its offerings as it competes with powerhouses such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft. "Its positioning remains premium and its market share is less than 5 percent, but in the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Husson said of the Pixel smartphone line. It is also "a means of countering Apple's integrated hardware-software-services strategy while remaining a strategic partner for Samsung and the Android ecosystem," Husson added. AI built into new Pixel phones lets Gemini AI assistant look through the cameras to "see" what users see, answering questions or providing tips about locations, objects or situations, according to Kugler. Google is not the only one putting AI in phones. South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung has made AI a centerpiece of its Galaxy smartphone line and recently released a new Galaxy Z Fold7. Google's product team described the new Pixel Watch 4 as a redesigned experience that marks the biggest update to the line. Features include smartwatch fitness tracking fine-tuned to distinguish between activities such as walking, bicycling, or tennis. The Pixel Watch also enables users to command Gemini AI assistant from one's wrist. Gemini detects the mood of whoever is speaking to it and adjusts its responses accordingly, and can even "look" through the phone camera to offer photo suggestions, according to the Google team.

Google unveils new Pixel 10 phone models and AI features at star-studded event

Alain Sherter is a senior managing editor with CBS News. He covers business, economics, money and workplace issues for CBS MoneyWatch. Google tapped the star power of Jimmy Fallon and other celebrities on Wednesday to unveil several new products, including the company's next generation of Pixel phones. Also participating in the event in Brooklyn, New York, were popular podcast host Alex Cooper, Formula One driver Lando Norris and singer Nick Jonas. Google's new suite of products includes four Pixel 10 phones, the Pixel 4 Watch and a revamped set of Pixel earbuds. The hardware will include new AI features designed to help users retrieve information, automatically create videos and snap better photos. Google has been steadily layering AI capabilities into its Pixel products since 2023 as the Alphabet-owned competes with Apple, which tech analysts note has been slower to integrate AI features into the iPhone. The Pixel phones, now on their 10th generation, will have an AI-powered feature called "Magic Cue" designed to anticipate a person's information needs. For example, if travelers use the device to call their airline, the phone is able to recognize the number and display their flight information, according to Google. The phones also comes with an AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of platforms and device, said during Wednesday's event that adding AI to its Pixel devices is aimed at making the phones more "personal and proactive." "So it doesn't just wait and listen to your requests -- it starts to anticipate them because it knows what you're trying to do," he added. "We call this personal intelligence." The basic Pixel 10 phone costs $800, the Pro runs $1,000 and the Pro XL goes for $1,200; a foldable version of the phone is also available for $1,800. Three new Pixel phones will be available in stores starting August 28, but consumers will have to wait until October 9 to get their hands on Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Pixel 4 Watch will be the company's first smartwatch equipped with Gemini, Google's AI assistant. The device will include new health and safety features, such as emergency satellite communications. Gemini will also be coming to TVs, smart speakers, smart displays and cars this fall, Osterloh said Wednesday. Google also used the event to announce that NBA star Stephen Curry will serve as a "performance adviser" on its products as part of a new multi-year partnership.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google Unveils Modest Upgrades to Pixel Smartphones, Other Gadgets

(Reuters) -Alphabet's Google introduced on Wednesday a new lineup of Pixel smartphones and gadgets, intensifying its efforts to embed artificial intelligence across a wide ecosystem of products. The products were launched at the annual 'Made by Google' event held in New York, which marked a return to more modest upgrades of its smartphones, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds compared to last year's event that industry analysts said was bigger and bolder than usual. New AI features rolling out with the Pixel 10 lineup include a "coach" in the camera app to help users take better pictures and an assistant that displays relevant information without a user's explicit request, such as showing a flight confirmation email when they call an airline. The exteriors of the phones remain largely the same, though Google added a telephoto lens on the base model to bring it in line with the cameras on its pricier units. Prices, starting at $799 for the base unit and $1,799 for the foldable model, remained flat despite concerns earlier this year that some smartphones could experience drastic price hikes due to U.S. tariffs. The Pixel 10, as well as the souped-up Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will be available later this month, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is slated to ship in October. All the Pixel phones are equipped with Google's latest mobile processor, Tensor G5, and for the first time, feature a magnetic charging technology called Pixelsnap that is reminiscent of the MagSafe functionality on rival Apple's iPhones. Google unveiled a series of Pixelsnap chargers, cases and phone stands to accompany the launch. MARKET SHARE WOES Google's annual hardware event has traditionally served as a way for the company to show off to device makers and software developers the potential of Android, a key strategic component to battling competition from Apple, which has its own operating system for its iPhones. Though Google develops the Android operating system underlying more than 80% of smartphones worldwide, its Pixel line generates a fraction of the sales of other firms selling Android-powered phones, such as Samsung and Xiaomi. Google has so far limited its focus to the high-end market. Nearly three-quarters of Pixel shipments occurred in the United States, Japan and UK, according to research firm IDC. Amid the generative AI boom, the company shifted the timing of its hardware event for the first time last year from its traditional autumn schedule to the summer, giving it a chance to preempt Apple in promoting AI integrations on smartphones. That has not yet translated to a material improvement in market share: for the second quarter, Google held 1.1% of the worldwide smartphone market, up from 0.9% one year ago, according to IDC. In the United States, Pixel's biggest market in terms of shipments, the share slid to 4.3% from 4.5% in that same time period, according to IDC. Google announced new versions of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4, and its cheaper Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds, though it left the Pixel Buds Pro 2 pat besides announcing a new color and an upcoming software update with device-specific upgrades. (Reporting by Kenrick Cai; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

Google's Pixel 10 Phones Raise the Ante on Artificial Intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s except the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google's Pixel 10 Phones Raises the Ante on Artificial Intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google's Pixel 10 phones raises the ante on artificial intelligence

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at US$800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the U.S. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google mocks Apple's AI struggles as it launches Pixel 10...

Google on Wednesday unveiled a new line-up of Pixel smartphones injected with another dose of artificial intelligence that's designed to do everything from fetch vital information stored on the devices to help improve photos as they're being taken. The AI expansion on the four Pixel 10 models amplifies Google's efforts to broaden the use of a technology that is already starting to reshape society. At the same time, Google is taking a swipe at Apple's Achilles' heel on the iPhone. Apple so far has only been able to introduce a few basic AI features on the iPhone while failing to deliver on last year's promise to deliver a more conversational and versatile version of its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri. Without mentioning the iPhone by name, Google has already been mocking Apple's missteps in online ads promoting the four new Pixel models as smartphones loaded with AI technology that consumers won't have to wait for more than a year to arrive. "There has been a lot of hype about this and, frankly, a lot of broken promises, too," Google executive Rick Osterloh said during a 75-minute presentation in New York about the new Pixel phones. The event was emceed by late-night TV show host Jimmy Fallon. Google, in contrast, has been steadily increasing the amount of AI that it began to implant on its Pixels since 2023, with this year's models taking it to another level. "We think this year we have a game-changing phone with game-changing technology," Osterloh said. Taking advantage of a more advanced processor, Google is introducing a new AI feature on the Pixel 10 phones called "Magic Cue" that's designed to serve as a digital mind reader that automatically fetches information stored on the devices and displays the data at the time it's needed. For instance, if a Pixel 10 user is calling up an airline, Magic Cue is supposed to instantaneously recognize the phone number and display the flight information if it's in Gmail or a Google Calendar. The Pixel 10 phones will also come with a preview feature of a new AI tool called "Camera Coach" that will automatically suggest the best framing and lighting angle as the lens is being aimed at a subject. Camera Coach will also recommend the best lens mode to use for an optimal picture. The premium models -- Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL -- will also include a "Super Res" option that deploys a grab bag of software and AI tricks to zoom up to 100 times the resolution to capture the details of objects located miles away from the camera. The AI wizardry could happen without users even realizing it's happening, making it even more difficult to know whether an image captured in a photo reflects how things really looked at the time a picture was taken or was modified by technology. The Pixel 10 will also be able to almost instantaneously translate phone conversations into a range of different languages using the participants own voices. Google is also offering a free one-year subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL models in hopes of hooking more people on the Gemini toolkit it has assembled to compete against OpenAI's ChatGPT. The prices on all four Pixel 10 models will remain unchanged from last year's Pixel 9 generation, with the basic starting at $800 and the Pro selling for $1,000, the Pro XL at $1,200 and a foldable version at $1,800. All the Pixel 10s expect the foldable model will be in stores on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available starting October 9. Although the Pixel smartphone remains a Lilliputian next to the Gulliverian stature of the iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy models, Google's ongoing advances in AI while holding the line on its marquee devices raise the competitive stakes. "In the age of AI, it is a true laboratory of innovation," Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said of the Pixel. Apple, in particular, will be facing more pressure than usual when it introduces the next-generation iPhone next month. Although the company has already said the smarter Siri won't be ready until next year at the earliest, Apple will still be expected to show some progress in AI to demonstrate the iPhone is adapting to technology's AI evolution rather than tilting toward gradual obsolescence. Clinging to a once-successful formula eventually sank the BlackBerry and its physical keyboard when the iPhone and its touch screen came along nearly 20 years ago. Apple's pricing of the next iPhone will also be under the spotlight, given that the devices are made in China and India -- two of the prime targets in President Donald Trump's trade war. But Apple appeared to gain a reprieve from Trump's most onerous threats earlier this month by adding another $100 billion on top of an earlier $500 billion investment pledge to the US. The tariff relief may enable Apple to minimize or even avoid price increases for the iPhone, just as Google has done with the Pixel 10 models.

Google unveils modest upgrades to Pixel smartphones, other gadgets

(Reuters) -Alphabet's Google introduced on Wednesday a new lineup of Pixel smartphones and gadgets, intensifying its efforts to embed artificial intelligence across a wide ecosystem of products. The products were launched at the annual 'Made by Google' event held in New York, which marked a return to more modest upgrades of its smartphones, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds compared to last year's event that industry analysts said was bigger and bolder than usual. New AI features rolling out with the Pixel 10 lineup include a "coach" in the camera app to help users take better pictures and an assistant that displays relevant information without a user's explicit request, such as showing a flight confirmation email when they call an airline. The exteriors of the phones remain largely the same, though Google added a telephoto lens on the base model to bring it in line with the cameras on its pricier units. Prices, starting at $799 for the base unit and $1,799 for the foldable model, remained flat despite concerns earlier this year that some smartphones could experience drastic price hikes due to U.S. tariffs. The Pixel 10, as well as the souped-up Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will be available later this month, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is slated to ship in October. All the Pixel phones are equipped with Google's latest mobile processor, Tensor G5, and for the first time, feature a magnetic charging technology called Pixelsnap that is reminiscent of the MagSafe functionality on rival Apple's iPhones. Google unveiled a series of Pixelsnap chargers, cases and phone stands to accompany the launch. MARKET SHARE WOES Google's annual hardware event has traditionally served as a way for the company to show off to device makers and software developers the potential of Android, a key strategic component to battling competition from Apple, which has its own operating system for its iPhones. Though Google develops the Android operating system underlying more than 80% of smartphones worldwide, its Pixel line generates a fraction of the sales of other firms selling Android-powered phones, such as Samsung and Xiaomi. Google has so far limited its focus to the high-end market. Nearly three-quarters of Pixel shipments occurred in the United States, Japan and UK, according to research firm IDC. Amid the generative AI boom, the company shifted the timing of its hardware event for the first time last year from its traditional autumn schedule to the summer, giving it a chance to preempt Apple in promoting AI integrations on smartphones. That has not yet translated to a material improvement in market share: for the second quarter, Google held 1.1% of the worldwide smartphone market, up from 0.9% one year ago, according to IDC. In the United States, Pixel's biggest market in terms of shipments, the share slid to 4.3% from 4.5% in that same time period, according to IDC. Google announced new versions of its smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 4, and its cheaper Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds, though it left the Pixel Buds Pro 2 pat besides announcing a new color and an upcoming software update with device-specific upgrades. (Reporting by Kenrick Cai; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)