Google recently wrapped up its latest “Made by Google” event, or as it’s come to be called, the Pixel 3 Event.
In it, Google introduced a range of new products – and a clear focus on AI.
Here are the most important announcements you may have missed.
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
The most anticipated product reveal of the event was the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
But for many, this wasn’t the first look.
In fact, some claim the Pixel 3 was the most leaked phone ever, with multiple photos and rendering floating around the web well before its official release.
And though those leaks took away from the surprise and awe element, Google did unveil some great new features to talk about at the event.
The first and most obvious difference between the new Pixel phones and their previous incarnations is the display quality.
A less-than-stellar had been an issue for the Pixel 2 XL in particular, and one that the new version appears to have corrected.
DisplayMate seems to agree, tweeting that they’ve reviewed the new Smartphone and giving it an impressive A+ for display quality.
The design remains similar to what we’ve seen in the past with the Pixel, with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL touting a 5.5-inch 2160x1080px and 6.3-inch 2960x1440x displays, respectively.
It will be available in three colors – Just Black, Very White, and Not Pink – and features an all-glass back to support wireless charging.
Other notable differences include an improved camera, a front-facing speaker 40% louder than last years, and a faster processor.
Outside of exterior tech improvements, the Google Pixel 3 features some impressive AI tech as well.
One is its built-in call screening, which uses AI to help users identify and block possible spam calls.
Google explained, “Starting out in English in the US, Pixel 3’s on-device AI helps you screen phone calls and avoid spam calls. Imagine you’re at dinner with family or in a meeting at work and a call from an unknown caller comes in. Just tap on ‘Screen call’ to find out who’s calling and why, as well as other information (as prompted by you).”
Once you tap on “screen call” the Pixel 3 will send the caller a message and provide you with a transcript of the caller’s response, where you can then choose to answer, reply, or mark as spam.
The other AI feature that’s been added to the Pixel’s Digital Assitant is the Duplex AI.
This extremely impressive, almost human AI is designed to make phone calls on your behalf for specific tasks like making dinner reservations or booking a hair appointment.
Google first unveiled the AI at its I/O conference earlier this year, and the demo was almost too humanlike – so much so that Google had to later promise that any future Duplex calls would be identified as such.
Google announced that the AI would be available on Pixel 3 smartphones starting November 1.
The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 itself will be available in the US starting October 18 and the UK starting November 1.
Google Pixel Stand
Going hand-in-hand with the Pixel 3, Google also unveiled the (also leaked) Pixel Stand.
Its primary job is to serve as a wireless charger for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but it comes with a slew of other handy features.
As a charger, it’s one of the best around, using Google’s fast charging technology and the ability to be used with most smartphone cases.
When you dock your phone on the stand, a prompt will pop up and ask if you want to “do more while charging.”
You do.
As is the going trend, the most noticeable new feature of the Pixel Stand is its integration with the Google Assistant.
When on the Stand, your Pixel basically becomes a replica of a Google Home.
You can use the “Hey Google” command to request the Pixel tell you about your day (it will read the news, tell you when you should leave for work, etc.), or request information as you usually would.
You can also enable the Assitant’s Routines Features to control home devices on schedule – for example, turn the lights off at a certain time.
When not using it for a specific action, you can turn the Pixel Stand into a digital photo frame. The Stand will look through and feature different from your Google Photos, and the AI-enabled photo frame will even work to select the very best images from your library.
So, while the Pixel Stand might appear to be just another (albeit pretty cool) phone charger, its integration with the Google Assitant is what really sets it apart.
It’s an interesting move on Google’s part as well, as it effectively pushing users to use the Google Assistant as much as possible.
The Google Pixel Stand officially launches November 1, and will cost you $79.
Google Pixel 3 Event: Google Pixel Slate
Google also introduced the new Pixel Slate, a Chrome-OS powered tablet.
The Pixel Slate features a detachable keyword, advanced camera, and mobile, touchscreen design.
https://youtu.be/FF1yy67BSp0
While not at the full capacity of Google’s existing Pixelbook, the Slate operates as Google’s answer to the Surface concept.
It comes with access to thousands of Android apps optimized for tablet use and up to 10 hours of battery life.
And of course, it comes fully integrated with the Google Assistant, meaning you can expect
The Pixel Slate comes with a 12.3-inch display and weighs in at just 1.6 pounds.
Pricing for the tablet starts at $599. Its two optional accessories – the Pixel Keyboard and Pixel Pen – come in at $199 and $99, respectively.
One cool feature about the Pixel Keyword is its dedicated Google Assitant key, allowing you to access the Assistant with the touch of a button.
The Pixel Slate will be available for purchase this November.
Google Pixel 3 Event: Google Home Hub
Google’s other major introduction was the Google Home Hub, the latest addition to its Google Home Family.
https://youtu.be/LxuHbgz1UtI
The 7” Home Hub is a smart display, meaning it comes as display-mounted speaker, allowing you to speak directly Google Assistant directly and view results on screen.
It comes with full smart speaker capabilities, allowing you to access Google, YouTube, Google Photos, Calendar, Maps, and more.
The Home Hub appears to be Google’s answer to the Amazon Echo – the first device enter the smart display arena.
The Home Hub is a bit smaller and lighter than the Echo, but the biggest difference is this: the Echo comes with a camera for voice calling, whereas the Home Hub is camera-free.
Google addresses this in its blog, saying “we consciously decided to not include a camera on Google Home Hub, so you feel comfortable placing it in the private spaces of your home, like the bedroom.”
Other than that, the most noticeable difference is price: the Home Hub comes in $80 cheaper than the Echo.
With the Home Hub, you can easily control your smart home products like lights, cameras, locks, etc., and stream video (though only from YouTube.)
And of course, it’s fully-enabled with the Google Assistant, meaning it can answer any questions or requests, and display information on its screen like maps, weather updates, or daily your upcoming calendar.
Google designed the device to fit seamlessly into your home, with an understated design that doesn’t make the smart speaker obvious and an Ambient EQ light sensor that allows the screen to automatically adjust to match the lighting in the room – even when it’s time to dim the light completely.
It also comes with Routines installed, designed to make your mornings as painless as possible.
Just say “Hey Google, good morning,” and it will respond with any activities planned in your Calendar, your commute from Google Maps, your latest reminders, the weather forecast, and more.
It also comes with Voice Match technology, which means up to 6 people in your family can get their own personalized Routine.
The Google Home Hub will be available in the US on October 22.
Key Takeaways from the Google Pixel 3 Event
If there’s one thing we can clearly take away from Google’s latest event, it’s this: Google wants you to have access to the Assistant, no matter where you are or what device you’re using.
They want it in your phone, your phone stand, your tablets, even your headphones. They’re even going so far as to make tech like the Google Home Hub as affordable as they can, to ensure as many as possible have access to it – in as many rooms as possible.
In short, the AI evolution is here, folks.
For marketers, the increasing shift towards AI and digital assistants means the days of putting off voice optimization are officially over.
As more people get their hands on devices like the Google Slate, you can expect the use of the Assistant increase.
That means that users will be presented less often with pages of search results to choose from; instead, they’ll be relying on the Google Assistant to choose the best result to their query.
And that, of course, means that an emphasis on voice search for SEO is crucial to a sustainable marketing strategy – now more than ever. It means focusing on local, featured snippets, and long tail, question-focused keywords.
It also means embracing a new wave of technology.
As the general public becomes more accustomed to life with digital assistants, they’ll expect the brands they interact with to keep up.
So if you haven’t already, look into to personalized AI solutions like chatbots for your site and Google Actions to help your brand stay relevant in the new digital marketing landscape.
Wrapping Up the Google Pixel 3 Event
As far as impressive devices go, the Google Pixel 3 event certainly didn’t disappoint.
Each comes with its own impressive features and functionality, and all come with a clear emphasis on AI.
