Google is set to release a series of new hardware, focusing on its flagship smartphone. The Pixel 8 features “Stock Android”, the Google version of Android that competes with other top Androids such as Samsung and Apple’s iPhone.
Google will also sell the second iteration of the Pixel Watch, its answer to the Apple Watch. A major upgrade in the phone’s hardware includes on-device computation, making AI queries faster since it does not rely on the internet. CNET reports:
Next week is the Made by Google event, where we expect the company to launch the Pixel 8, 8 Pro and Pixel Watch 2. Over the past weeks, Google has not-so-subtly showed off the upcoming phones and smartwatch and also added a preview/sign up page to let people get notified about updates and ordering the new hardware. We already know a lot: the names of the devices, what they look like and that there are likely some AI features. Who needs rumors, am I right? Google’s Pixel event feels less like it’ll be an unveiling and more like a filling in of the blanks.
As has been the case for several years now, Google holds an annual event in October to launch the latest generation of Pixel devices. This year’s Made by Google event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT). It’s being held in New York City for invited members of the press and will stream on Google’s YouTube channel. CNET will be at the event in person to cover the reveals of the new phones and wristwatch, along with anything else Google may show off.
The Android OS will also include a major change to better compete with Apple’s iOS. For many years, Pixel phones were only supported for 3 years while iPhones were usually for 6 to 8 years. Pixels will now have an extended support time of 7 years, making phones more valuable to trade in. Forbes reports
Then there’s Android. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be the first handsets to launch with Android 14 out of the box; other manufacturers will follow in short order, presumably when the Android Open Source Project’s version 14 has a full release after a number of delays over the last few months.
Android 14 has two key bullet points to watch out for. The first is Google’s decision to extend the support window to a reported seven years. That’s seven years of Android OS updates and security fixes to keep the devices secure. The latter is one of the critical factors in determining the lifespan of the phone – the hardware could hold out for decades, but without security, there’s little practical use.
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