Google’s Pixel 7 Occasion Was Mainly a Subtweet at Apple

Tech duopoly in-fighting: like to see it. Google dropped a number of sick burns on longtime frenemy Apple throughout its Pixel occasion Thursday — the place the tech behemoth unveiled its Pixel 7 lineup and long-rumored Pixel Watch and teased a forthcoming dockable Pixel pill — and we’re right here for it. 

Google’s occasion livestream started with a enjoyable little bit of adver-tainment whereby a bunch of musicians coordinated an impromptu digital jam session with somewhat assist from their Pixel telephones, watches and earbuds. Because the hip quartet got here collectively to make lovely music on the identical stage Google’s executives had been about to look, I assumed for a second I used to be viewing one other Apple occasion. Is Google “cool” now?

As an individual sitting right here with a Fitbit on my left wrist and a Pixel 6 to my proper, I’ll disclose my bias and say, sure, completely cool. As an individual sitting right here counting the methods Google simply pulled a “How do you do, fellow children?” I’ve to say… in all probability not. 

There was a man in my school dorm who wished nothing greater than to have buddies cease by to hang around, however for no matter motive (he was form of bizarre, I assume) nobody ever knocked on his door. “I do not perceive it,” he stated. “I’ve meals. And music!” That is mainly Google. 

To me, the Pixel 6 rocks, the Pixel Watch appears to be like like a winner and Android 13 has a ton of nice options to get enthusiastic about. However the Pixel model has nonetheless solely earned 2% of the North American market in comparison with the iPhone’s 52%. 

Nonetheless, I like a superb underdog story, or no matter you name a software program big with a shaky {hardware} observe report that additionally occurs to be one of many largest corporations on the earth. And I particularly take pleasure in it when that “underdog” is that this savage.

At all times-on show and lock display widgets: “We take it as a praise when others within the trade comply with our lead,” Google’s VP of Product Administration Brian Rakowski stated on the Pixel 7 keynote, name-checking the Pixel’s always-on show, lock display widgets and astrophotography. To paraphrase: However we have had these things for, like, ever! Apple notably simply added an always-on show to the iPhone 14 Professional and lock display widgets in iOS 16, each up to now — checks watch — month.

Automotive-crash detection: Rakowski additionally identified Google launched car-crash detection three years in the past, earlier than it was cool — earlier than it was a twinkle within the iPhone 14’s eye. Main hipster vibes.

iPhone design: Google threw somewhat shade at Apple’s design decisions as nicely, assuredly subtweeting the iPhone’s colours (“We do not simply copy/paste one coloration we like throughout all of our merchandise”), flat-edged slabular design (“Your cellphone and watch are designed to be private, to be touched and worn … And so they have clean, rounded surfaces so that they all the time really feel proper in your hand and in your wrist”) and the Apple Watch’s “distinguished” exterior connectors (“You may discover that the Pixel Watch does not have [them], like a variety of watches do”).

Picture Unblur: One of many Pixel 7’s thrilling new options is Picture Unblur, which Google says will sharpen blurry pictures, even outdated ones taken “on a cellphone or a digital camera that does not fairly match the standard of a Pixel cellphone.” Like, say, an iPhone? Simply saying the quiet half out loud right here.

RCS: The spiciest zinger got here from Google’s requisite RCS plea. “RCS is the trendy trade commonplace for messaging. And it is already been adopted by many of the trade,” Rakowski stated, emphasizing trendy and most. Be aware that RCS is definitely Google’s personal know-how, not technically an trade commonplace (and not with out its issues). Google’s been attempting to make RCS occur since 2008, actually hijacking the inexperienced bubble disgrace story. “We hope each device-maker will get the message and adopts RCS, making texting higher for each smartphone person,” Rakowski added. To paraphrase: I’m as soon as once more asking you to assist Wealthy Communication Companies! 

This isn’t the primary time Google has referred to as out Apple for not “getting the message.” In August, Google launched a complete Android marketing campaign devoted to the trigger, this time express in its addressee. Google introduced a number of enhancements to its Messages app earlier in 2022, a lot of which make texting a good friend with an iPhone somewhat nicer. However Apple doubled down on its proprietary messaging app in iOS 16, releasing new options like unsending a textual content that will not work when your recipient is workforce Android. “Purchase your mother an iPhone,” sniffed Tim Prepare dinner. The blue/inexperienced bubble divide lives on. A lot drama!

I’d be remiss if I did not level out this underdog story shouldn’t be with out its plot twists: Google later introduced options for the Pixel cellphone lineup that it copied from Apple, like Cinematic Blur (or Cinematic Mode), 2x zoom and face unlock/Face ID.

For extra Google Pixel protection, try every thing Google introduced, our first takes on the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional and Pixel Watch, and relive the expertise with CNET’s reside weblog.