AI, folding cell phone, tablet: How Google wants to jump on the bandwagon

Many of the viewers who watched the live stream from the Google I/O developer conference on Wednesday could not shake the impression that Google has recognized a need for action in some areas of development. After there have recently been some steep passes, especially in the field of artificial intelligence (keyword ChatGPT), the search engine giant now wants to jump on the bandwagon – a strategy that also seems to apply to Google’s hardware division. An overview of the innovations:

New Google search: The fact that Google has been a pioneer in the further development of artificial intelligence for years may have been lost in public perception recently. All too often, ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing search engine have dominated the headlines. Google held back for a long time because they wanted to ensure responsible use of the technology. Now the Google search engine will be equipped with a number of new AI functions. In this way, more complex questions than before should be able to be answered in the future. The answers are formulated in complete sentences. The search results are enriched with suitable images and – in the case of a search for products – with topic-specific advice and dealer offers as well as the usual links to websites. In a new conversation mode, Google then also answers follow-up questions. The context is taken from question to question. This new version of Googling is called “Search Generative Experience” (SGE), a test phase is now beginning for users in the USA.

Even more AI: As a basis for the new AI functions, Google is introducing the language model PaLM 2. This masters more than 100 languages ​​and has writing, programming and analysis skills. Google’s ChatGPT competitor Bard is also getting an update and is now available in 180 countries. For now, Bard only speaks English, Korean, and Japanese. Soon there will be 40 languages, including German. Numerous other AI functions will be introduced in Google Photos, Google Cloud or Gmail, among others.

Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold: Google also presented two new smartphones on Wednesday – the mid-range model Pixel 7a and the Pixel Fold, a foldable cell phone for the first time. A sign that Google wants to further strengthen the previously neglected hardware area. The Pixel 7a has a 6.1-inch screen and an overhauled camera with a 64-megapixel sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera.

The Pixel 7a costs 509 euros and can now be ordered from various retailers. With the Pixel Fold, which is supposed to be a mobile phone and tablet at the same time, Google is emulating competitors like Samsung. The 12.1 millimeters that the device is thick when folded becomes 5.8 millimeters when it is folded – significantly less than other folding cell phones. According to Google, the camera (48 MP main camera, ultra wide angle, telephoto lens with 5x optical magnification) is said to be the best in a foldable smartphone. The Pixel Fold can be ordered from 1899 euros.

Pixel tablets: Google’s last tablet was a flop – with a new concept, the Pixel Tablet should be spared this fate. For 679 euros, the device comes with a docking station, a magnetic holder that turns the classic tablet into a kind of smart speaker. The display is eleven inches in size, and the main and selfie cameras each have a resolution of eight megapixels. A speaker is built into the docking station.