A comprehensive look at Google's annual blockbuster conference: AI challenges iPhone, mobile version of Bard Assistant is here.

Just before the arrival of the heavy shopping season of Thanksgiving and Christmas at the end of the year, Google, with ambitious plans, wants to grab a share from Apple and present its most powerful challenge to the iPhone using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

On Wednesday, October 4th, Eastern Time, Google held its annual hardware launch event, Made by Google, in New York City. The new generation of smartphones, the Pixel 8 series, and the accompanying earphones, Pixel Buds Pro, made their debut. In addition to the first release of smartwatches last year, Google further expanded into wearable devices by releasing the second-generation smartwatch, Pixel Watch 2.

At the same time, Google released the new version of the Android system, Android 14, as well as the Google Assistant with Bard, powered by generative AI.

Pixel 8 starts at around $700, slightly smaller than the previous generation, with higher brightness and more intelligent AI features

Compared to the previous generation Pixel 7, the standard version of the Pixel 8 released by Google is smaller. It is equipped with a 6.2-inch OLED Actua display, while the Pixel 7 has a display size of 6.3 inches. In terms of appearance, the corners of the Pixel 8 are more rounded than the previous two generations.

The Pixel 8's display is 42% brighter than the Pixel 7, with a refresh rate that is one-third higher than the Pixel 7's 90Hz, reaching 120Hz. The iPhone 15, which is priced the same as the Pixel 8, has a display refresh rate of only 60Hz.

Outdoors, the Pixel 8's display can reach a maximum brightness of 2000 nits and supports always-on display. The Pixel 8 has a battery capacity of 4,485mAh, an increase of about 5% compared to the Pixel 7. Google claims that the battery life exceeds 24 hours.

Like its predecessor, the Pixel 8 retains the dual-camera setup and updates the main camera. The 50-megapixel main camera has a larger aperture and is 21% more sensitive to light than the Pixel 7. The 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera has autofocus and macro capabilities.

Google has also launched some new features that support photography. Among them, the Magic Eraser feature allows users to completely change the image by moving the subject and changing the background. With the Best Take feature, users can combine a series of photos taken to "swap heads" of different people in one photo, making everyone in the photo look at the camera and smile at the same time.

The latest Tensor G3 processor from Google supports the above functions.

Google claims that the AI machine learning model running on the Pixel 8 equipped with this chip is ten times more complex than the model used on the Pixel 6. Its Call Screen feature can better filter out spam calls, reducing spam calls by an average of 50%. It can silently answer calls from unknown numbers with a more natural voice. The intelligent Call Screen can distinguish between calls that the user wants and those they don't want. It can provide context-based suggestions for replies, allowing users to quickly respond to calls without answering directly.

The Audio Magic Eraser feature allows users to remove unwanted background audio from video recordings, making the call sound clearer. The new features in the keyboard and recording app support seamless switching between multiple languages during voice transcription.

Google claims that with the Pixel 8, users can quickly obtain more context and analyze web content in depth. With the Summarize feature, the Pixel can generate summaries of web pages, allowing users to quickly grasp the key points, similar to how Google's AI chatbot Bard and other AI assistants work on desktops.

Users can also use the Pixel 8 to translate the websites they are browsing, allowing the phone to read the content aloud to the user.

Google claims that the Pixel 8 is better at understanding subtle differences in human speech, allowing users to communicate with it more naturally to get work done. If a user pauses or says "um" while speaking, it will wait until the user finishes before replying. The Pixel 8 supports voice input, editing, and sending messages in multiple languages.

The Pixel 8 is available in rose, light brown, and obsidian colors, starting at $699.99, which is $100 more than the starting price of the Pixel 7.

Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, with upgraded display and camera, video enhancement feature, and AI support

The high-end version of the new Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch Super Actua display. Google claims that this LTPO display is the brightest display the company has ever provided for a phone, even in direct sunlight, it will present ultra-HDR images with realistic effects. The refresh rate of the Pixel 8 Pro display is 120 Hz, with an outdoor peak brightness of 2400 nits, higher than the 2000 nits of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

Consistent with previous leaks, the Pixel 8 Pro has a built-in temperature sensor on the back. It can quickly scan objects to let users know their temperature, such as checking if a pot is hot enough or if the milk in a baby bottle is at the right temperature.

Google has stated that it has submitted an application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow the Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 to measure users' body temperature and save it to the Fitbit smartwatch.

In terms of camera, both cameras on the Pixel 8 Pro have been upgraded: the 50-megapixel main camera can take better photos and videos in low-light environments; the ultra-wide-angle lens has a higher resolution 48-megapixel sensor, which can focus as close as 2 centimeters in macro mode; the 48-megapixel telephoto lens has a 5x telephoto module, capturing 56% more light than the previous generation and achieving 10x optical zoom; the 10.5-megapixel front camera now has autofocus, delivering the best selfie experience on a Pixel phone.

The Pixel 8 Pro also has some professional camera control features, such as controlling focus, shutter speed, and the lens used, and can directly shoot 50-megapixel JPEG or RAW format photos through the native camera app.

Like the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8 Pro is also equipped with the Tensor G3 processor, thus having the same AI-powered features as the Pixel 8.

In addition, Google has announced that later this year, the Pixel 8 Pro will have a new feature called Video Boost, which will allow the Tensor G3 chip to leverage Google's data centers to provide users with state-of-the-art video processing. Video Boost can adjust color, brightness, stability, and granularity to generate stunningly realistic videos. It also supports Night Sight Video for better low-light smartphone video quality.

The Pixel 8 Pro will also have a feature called Zoom Enhance, which the Pixel 8 does not have. It can help users zoom in on images and re-adjust fine details after shooting. The Pixel 8 Pro is also available in three colors: Ceramic White, Gulf Blue, and Obsidian Black. The starting price for the Pixel 8 Pro is $999, which is $100 higher than the previous generation Pixel 7 Pro. Both new models will be available for pre-order on October 4th and will start shipping on October 12th.

Pixel 8 series phones will receive software updates for seven years

Alongside the launch of the new phones, Google announced that both the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will receive continuous operating system, security, and feature updates for seven years. This means that users who purchase the new Pixel devices will continue to receive updates until 2030.

Google has significantly extended the software update duration this time. Previously, Pixel phones from Google offered a maximum of five years of security updates and three years of Android system updates.

Pixel Watch 2 starting at around $350, chip upgrade, more sensors, improved algorithms

In addition to smartphones, Google also unveiled two hardware products. Among them, the second-generation smartwatch, Pixel Watch 2, has a similar appearance to last year's first-generation model, but is equipped with a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor. Even with the always-on display, the battery life can last up to 24 hours.

Google has made comprehensive adjustments to the sensor layout of the Pixel Watch, replacing the single-row LED with multiple LEDs and photodiodes to measure from multiple angles and positions, and then input the data into algorithms. James Park, CEO of Fitbit, stated that the accuracy of the algorithm for intense activities has been improved by 40% in the Pixel Watch 2.

The Pixel Watch 2 has more sensors, including sensors for skin temperature and continuous skin electrical activity, which enable new stress detection capabilities and automatic recording of the start of seven different activities. The Pixel Watch 2 is also equipped with a brand-new multi-path heart rate sensor, which can obtain the user's heart rate in more ways and locations.

The Pixel Watch 2 will also be available for pre-order on October 4th, with the GPS version priced at $349.99 and the LTE version priced at $399.99. It comes in four color options: silver with blue, silver with white, gold with hazel, and all-black. Shipping will begin on October 12th.

Pixel 8 comes with Pixel Buds Pro headphones priced at around $200

Google also released the Pixel Buds Pro headphones, which are compatible with the Pixel 8 phones and come in two new colors: Light Blue and Ceramic White. Google has upgraded the conversation detection feature of its earphones. If the earphones detect that the user is speaking, it will automatically pause the audio and activate the transparency mode.

Google is also attempting to improve the quality of voice calls by adding Bluetooth Super Wideband functionality, making the user's voice sound fuller and clearer. The Buds Pro will also support the Clear Calling feature in Pixel phones, which helps reduce background noise during calls.

The Pixel Buds Pro is priced at $199.99 and will be available for pre-order on October 4th, with the same price for all colors, including the new ones.

Android 14 introduces new security features and lock screen customization

Google also released the latest version of its Android operating system, Android 14, which will be available for update on Pixel and other Android phones from manufacturers such as Samsung on October 4th.

Android 14 introduces several security features, including deeper key support, privacy protection for handling suspicious data proxies, and a wide range of UI, customization, and health data storage features through Health Connect.

One of the highlights of Android 14 is the new lock screen customization feature. Users can switch between different clock styles and formats to personalize the look of their phones. Google has also added an AI-driven wallpaper generator, but this feature is currently only available on Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.

Assistant with Bard: A smartphone assistant powered by generative AI

Google has also introduced Assistant with Bard, a personal assistant powered by generative AI that provides personalized assistance services. It will be available on Android and iOS systems in the coming months.

Google claims that the enhanced version of Assistant with Bard can help users plan trips, find detailed information in their email inboxes, and even create shopping lists.

Similar to the web version of Bard, Assistant with Bard will integrate Google's existing apps such as Gmail and Docs to help users search for and summarize information. Users can interact with this tool through text, voice, or images, and it still retains some key features of the original Assistant, allowing users to perform actions such as sending messages.