Google often publicizes new Pixel merchandise all year long, however 2023 might find yourself being a very necessary second for the corporate’s machine line. Google is rumored to be releasing its first foldable cellphone, which might instantly compete with Samsung’s confirmed line of Galaxy Z Fold units.
Google additionally launched its personal ChatGPT rival, Bard, which it opened as much as the general public in March. It would not be shocking to see new developments to Bard and hear about Google’s different AI ambitions throughout its I/O convention in May.
Both potential bulletins would additional sign that tech giants are interested by what’s subsequent for the smartphone and the apps that run on these units in 2023. Samsung and Motorola, for instance, each launched new idea units earlier this yr with slidable and rollable screens, which might someday succeed immediately’s foldables. And Microsoft has its personal revamped model of Bing that makes use of AI to supply extra direct and conversational solutions, giving Google stronger competitors in the search enviornment it is dominated for years.
Here’s a have a look at what we’re anticipating from Google this yr, based mostly on rumors, reviews and the corporate’s typical product launch schedule. We’ll be updating this story recurrently as extra leaks and reviews floor.
Pixel 7A
Google’s Pixel 6A from final yr.
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If historical past repeats itself, Google will launch a less expensive model of the Pixel 7 often known as the Pixel 7A in the spring or summer season. Google launched the Pixel 6A at Google I/O final yr earlier than placing it on sale in July. That means we could be simply weeks away from studying concerning the Pixel 7A, if Google does determine to announce it at its annual developer convention once more this yr.
We will not know something for sure till Google debuts the Pixel 7A, however some leaks and reviews have offered clues about what it’d embody. Developer Kuba Wojciechowski, who claims to have discovered particulars probably referring to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggests the Pixel 7A might have a display screen with the next 90Hz refresh fee and wi-fi charging.
That may not sound too thrilling, but it surely’s notable as a result of these two options are absent from the 6A. By bringing them to the Pixel 7A, Google would additional shut the hole between its premium and budget-friendly telephones.
Another purported leak from Vietnamese web site Zing News suggests the Pixel 7A may have a 6.1-inch display screen similar to the 6A and a design that resembles the Pixel 7.
If the Pixel 7A follows in the Pixel 6A’s footsteps, we will count on it to have the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7, however a digital camera that is a step down.
Pixel Fold
Samsung is presently the chief in terms of foldable telephones just like the Z Fold 4, however possibly Google might give it some competitors.
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Aside from Apple, Google is without doubt one of the solely main phone-makers that hasn’t launched a foldable cellphone or mentioned plans to take action. But that would change in the close to future. Reports from 9to5Google and WinFuture counsel Google’s first foldable Pixel machine might arrive as quickly as June.
The cellphone might keep away from the Samsung Z Fold sequence’ tall, skinny design in favor of a shorter, wider format with a glance that is just like the Oppo Find N or Microsoft Surface Duo, in keeping with reviews and leaks from 9to5Google and YouTube persona Dave2D. Code in the beta for Android 13, which Wojciechowski says he found, additionally suggests the Pixel Fold would have a digital camera with predominant, ultrawide and telephoto lenses.
Google is thought for undercutting rivals like Apple and Samsung on value with its common Pixel telephones. If Google does launch a foldable cellphone, I’m hoping it takes an analogous method. Samsung presently dominates foldable telephones with 62% of the market in the primary half of 2022, in keeping with Counterpoint Research, so it will be attention-grabbing to see if Google can provide Samsung some worthwhile competitors.
Sales of foldable telephones are rising, however they nonetheless make up only a fraction of the broader smartphone market. Global shipments are anticipated to develop by 52% year-over-year in 2023, in keeping with Counterpoint, reaching 22.7 million items. But when you think about that 304 million smartphones are estimated to have been shipped in the fourth quarter of 2022 based mostly on Counterpoint’s findings, 22.7 million in an entire yr looks as if a drop in the ocean.
Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
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Google sometimes releases new flagship Pixel telephones in the autumn, and we’re anticipating the corporate to comply with that very same sample in 2023. We will not know what’s in retailer for Google’s Pixel 8 and 8 Pro till it publicizes these units.
However, Google’s updates have been very camera-centric in current years, with the Pixel 7 lineup gaining improved zoom and the Pixel 7 Pro receiving a brand new macro images mode. With the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which have been the primary Pixels to run on Google’s Tensor chips, we noticed new options like Magic Eraser, Face Unblur and Real Tone. With that in thoughts, it would not be shocking to see Google push the digital camera even additional on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, though we can’t know precisely what that appears like simply but. Both telephones can even doubtless have a brand new Tensor processor, too.
Leaks have been scarce up to now, however there have been just a few reviews claiming to supply particulars about Google’s subsequent pair of Pixels. WinFuture reviews the brand new telephones will run on Android 14, which is predicted to be the following main model of Android, and may have 12GB of RAM. Well-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer additionally partnered with blogs MySmartPrice and SmartPrix to publish what are mentioned to be renderings of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Android 14
Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
Android 14 is presently accessible in a preview mode for developers, with the ultimate consumer-ready model anticipated to reach in the autumn. Google releases new Android options and Pixel-specific options all year long, however its annual model upgrades often present sweeping platform-wide enhancements.
Android 13, for instance, launched extra coloration choices for Google’s Material You interface, end-to-end encryption for RCS group chats in Messages and extra privateness protections, corresponding to the choice to grant apps entry to a restricted choice of images as an alternative of your entire library.
Based on what we learn about Android 14 up to now, it looks as if Google will proceed constructing on these themes by making enhancements associated to energy effectivity, privateness and accessibility. We’ll doubtless discover out extra at Google’s I/O developer convention in May.
Pixel Tablet
Screenshot/CNET
Google is taking a recent method to tablets with its upcoming Pixel Tablet, which may have a speaker charging dock that turns it right into a Nest Hub when docked.
The firm hasn’t revealed a lot about its upcoming pill, but it surely did present some particulars throughout its final Pixel occasion in October. Other than its speaker dock, we additionally realized that the pill may have a nano-ceramic coating impressed by porcelain and will run on the Tensor G2 processor discovered in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
Google mentioned it plans to launch the pill in 2023, though it did not present specifics. We’re anticipating to study extra at Google I/O or in the autumn, when the corporate sometimes holds its Pixel product launch occasion.
More AI in Google Search and elsewhere
Joining the Bard waitlist solely takes just a few faucets/clicks.
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Following the success of ChatGPT, generative AI has been in every single place in 2023 — and that features in Google’s merchandise. The firm already launched its AI-powered search chatbot Bard and introduced new AI features for Gmail and Google Docs for producing drafts and rewriting emails.
But we’re anticipating AI to be a dominant development at Google I/O convention this yr, particularly because it seeks to maintain tempo with Microsoft and different rivals. Google reportedly issued a code crimson in December after ChatGPT debuted, in keeping with The New York Times, so it would not be shocking to see Google use its convention as a possibility to claim its authority in AI.
AI has been a outstanding theme at Google I/O earlier than. Last yr, for instance, Google mentioned enhancements to automation, like auto translation and transcription for video, in addition to updates to Search that make it higher at dealing with questions that mix textual content and photographs. With all the eye Microsoft’s Bing has garnered due to its incorporation of AI, Google will doubtless make AI and Search a centerpiece of its I/O presentation.
Pixel Watch 2
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Google hasn’t mentioned plans for future Pixel Watches, nor have there been many leaks or rumors about what’s subsequent for Google’s smartwatch. But since Google’s Pixel telephones comply with a yearly cadence — as do the Pixel Watch’s greatest opponents just like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch — it would not be shocking to see the Pixel Watch comply with swimsuit.
Based on Google’s present route for the Pixel Watch, we will in all probability count on to see the identical spherical design on its sequel. The newest model of Wear OS, which we’re anticipating to listen to extra about at Google I/O, can even doubtless make an look. I’m additionally hoping to see longer battery life and just a few additional well being and fitness-tracking options, corresponding to auto-workout detection.
