During the launch event for the new Pixel phone, Google didn’t hesitate to make implicit comparisons to its rival Apple. Some of the details are very subtle, others are quite obvious.
While it’s nothing new for companies like Google to compare themselves to their competitors at such big events, Google seemed to be adding Apple references throughout the presentation. This may be because Google has become particularly competitive in the artificial intelligence industry, an area that Apple is just beginning to enter.
Gemini supports “not only English speakers”
When introducing Gemini, Sameer Samat, Google's head of Android ecosystem, boasted that Gemini is available in 45 languages and over 200 countries and regions, emphasizing its expansion to older Android devices but not flagships.
In conclusion, Samit mentioned that Gemini is now available worldwide, not limited to English speakers and just one market.This latest clarification appears to be a direct jab at Apple Intelligence, which has not been widely publicized and was only available to English speakers in the United States when it launched this fall.
Google confirms that it does not share data with third parties.
Google also emphasized Gemini's ability to handle tasks, such as using your Drive resume to write a short CV, without passing it on to a third party. “Gemini can handle such complex personal queries in Google’s secure cloud without sending any of your personal data to a third-party AI provider you may not know or trust.”“Samat said,”
This seems like a clear move for Apple, which has partnered with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to Siri. When Siri can’t answer a question, it will ask you for permission to ask ChatGPT instead. However, Gemini still asks you to trust Google.
Google shows off new features live to the public
Apple is known for hosting “virtual” events, which means showing a pre-recorded, staged video. Meanwhile, since the end of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Google has returned to live events.
You could see that when Google executive Dave Citron took the stage to showcase some of Gemini's AI features, boldly declaring: “All the demos we do today are live.”Google took this risk, and things didn't go quite as planned.
After taking a picture of Sabrina Carpenter's concert poster, Citron asks Gemini to check his calendar to see if he's available. Gemini doesn't respond on the first two attempts, but finally responds when Citron switches phones.
The Pixel 9 Pro has a small size that users don't have to replace.
The only difference between the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the new smaller Pixel Pro option is size. “You can choose between the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL without any trade-offs.”Brian Rakowski, Vice President of Product Management at Google, said. “They have the same great display, beautiful design, premium craftsmanship, processing power, and the same Pixel Pro camera.”
Meanwhile, there are some minor differences between the smaller iPhone 15 Pro and the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers up to 5X optical zoom, while the standard 15 Pro is limited to 3X. The larger iPhone 15 Pro Max also comes with a 4,422mAh battery, which is significantly better than the compact iPhone model’s 3,274mAh battery. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL, the two devices have 4,700mAh and 5,060mAh batteries, respectively — a much smaller difference.
Compare Google Pixel 9 Pro camera to iPhone 15 Pro Max
When showing off the Pixel 9 Pro's camera, Google compared it directly to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Google's Kenny Solomon said the company has “redesigned” the Pixel 9's panorama mode, and now supports Night Sight to improve photos in low-light conditions.
To demonstrate these changes, Suleiman invited the audience to look at a photo taken at night. He then immediately compared it to a darker image from “another smartphone company” — Apple.