This week, Google surprised us with its Made by Google event, where we were introduced to four Pixel phones including the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a new smartwatch, new earbuds, and (of course) a bunch of Gemini AI updates to sink our teeth into.
We were also exposed to major VR headset leaks from Meta and Pico, and there were rumors that Apple’s iPhone Air would be a sleek alternative to the usual smartphones.
Want to stay up to date on all this? Scroll down for a roundup of the week’s most important tech news. See you next week for another quick roundup.
7. Made by Google: Gemini AI got an upgrade
This week, Google surprised the world with Gemini Live at its Made for Google event, where it launched beautiful new Pixel 9 phones. The new AI-powered version of its digital assistant can now talk to you about complex topics, know what’s on your calendar and tell you what Jane asked you in an email a week ago. It also has ten different voices to choose from, allowing for a much more personal relationship with your phone.
Other new AI features include manipulating your photos in Pixel Studio, allowing you to add things that weren’t there originally, like the sun, a tree, or even a spaceship. As if that wasn’t enough, Gemini can now do all your research for you, producing a Google Doc with sources, references, and links. Homework will never be the same again!
6. Made by Google: Four new Pixel 9 phones unveiled
Google has taken a major design leap with its latest line of Pixel 9 phones. The camera arrays are still striking, but in place of bands we get islands, and in place of curved backs, we get a view of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL that has more in common with Apple’s iPhone design aesthetic than ever before.
Google has upgraded the power across the board, from the Tensor G3 to the G4, and added a lot more RAM. They’re all joined by the completely redesigned foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It’s super thin and has a massive 8-inch flexible display on the inside.
Of course, perhaps the bigger story with all of these phones is how they handle all of the new Gemini AI features, like Add Me for photos and Gemini Live. We’ve spent time with all of these phones (and these cool AI features) and came away impressed, but we won’t know for sure whether they’re a must-buy or a must-upgrade until we’ve reviewed them all.
5. Made by Google: Pixel Watch 3 killed Fitbit smartwatches
On the wearable side, the new Pixel Watch 3 unveiled at the Made By Google event is bigger and better than ever. A new 45mm model sits alongside the existing 41mm model, featuring a 40% larger display that can reach 2,000 nits of brightness. Both watches include advanced running metrics, Wear OS 5, all-new watch face complications, and Fitbit Premium’s Readiness score, now free from its paywall shackles.
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news for Fitbit: the Versa and Sense smartwatch lines have been axed. Fitbits are returning to sleek, band-style trackers in the Luxe and Inspire categories, while the Google Pixel Watch will be the only smartwatch line Google sells going forward. RIP.
4. Made by Google: Pixel Buds Pro 2 came out with a bang
Alongside new Pixel phones – including the mouthful that is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold – Google also released a new pair of earbuds, and we got the chance to try them out for ourselves. The new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 aim to rival other high-end earbuds with active noise cancellation, long-lasting battery life, and a price point of $229.99 / £219 / around AU$379.
The biggest win, though, might not be a more natural default playback or the ability to insert the Gemini into your ears when paired with the right phone. It’s the fact that Google has drastically reduced the size from the first generation for an earbud that’s far more comfortable, protrudes less from your ears, and does a much better job of providing a passive seal. Oh, and they come in two seriously cool shades: Peony or Wintergreen.
We can’t wait to spend more time with them and enjoy artists like Bruce Springsteen and Olivia Rodrigo, but read on for our full first impressions.
This week was a big week for VR headset leaks. We got a look at the “Final Design” of the almost-confirmed Meta Quest 3S – a cheaper alternative to the Quest 3 that’s sort of a Quest 2.5, the existence of which Meta itself has leaked twice already – which looks bulkier than we’d like, but could feature an all-new action button that’s either programmable or serves as a way to quickly toggle between VR and MR. We’ll likely find out more at Meta Connect on September 25-26.
Then there was the Pico 4S, with leaks suggesting that it’ll be a high-end model instead – with one leaker saying it’ll be called the Pico 4 Ultra in some regions. If real, it’d be Pico’s answer to the Meta Quest 3, which would be exciting. The Pico 4 was a solid Meta Quest 2 rival, only letting it down on the software front; if the Pico 4S (assuming it’s real) can claw back some points in this area, it could be the first true Quest 3 alternative (aside from Meta’s other headsets) – especially as it has more RAM making it more powerful. We’ll just have to wait and see how the real thing turns out when and if it’s officially announced.
2. OpenAI has updated GPT 4-o, but has concerns about its AI
This week, OpenAI revealed that it is observing users developing feelings for its ChatGPT bot, using language you might normally only use with friends or loved ones rather than a gadget. The company is also concerned that human interactions could be affected by users’ ability to interrupt the AI, which is considered rude in normal conversation.
Additionally, a new update for GPT 4-o has been rolled out. However, since it has no major new feature to point to, OpenAI is at a loss as to how to explain how the upgrade makes ChatGPT better. This could be a problem that other AI makers will run into in the future. How do you effectively quantify the usefulness of AI?
If these issues aren’t addressed soon, they could spell even more bad news for AI developers. Skeptics point to these unintended negative side effects and the black-box nature of AI as reasons why it needs to be more tightly regulated. But we’ll have to wait and see whether government agencies take action, or whether AI development will remain in the wild west for a while longer.
1. New iPhone Air rumors put us in a tough spot
Many people will be thinking about upgrading to the iPhone 16 next month. But a few new rumors this week may have derailed those plans – or at least thrown them up in the air, so to speak.
According to reliable Apple commentators, the company plans to launch a new iPhone Air model next year, alongside the iPhone 17. This super-slim model will sit somewhere between the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro in terms of price and will act like the MacBook Air of Apple’s phone lineup.
We don’t know about you, but this seems like a good excuse not to spend more than $799 / £799 / AU$1,499 on a new phone this year…