Finally, it’s here. Google’s big hardware press event kicks off later today, and it looks to be an almost entirely Pixel-based affair, with more phones than ever.
First, the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro will be straight-up successors to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. Rumors suggest Google will also introduce a Pixel 9 Pro XL, with a larger screen. We’re expecting all three phones to have a redesigned substantial camera module — the Pixel 9 is 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lenses — and Google may introduce a new chipset too, probably called the Tensor G4. Oh, and expect a new foldable to break cover too, with a ‘Pro’ moniker, but will it be even pricier this year?
Expect to hear more about Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant, and Android 15. The company has already said Gemini will be more deeply integrated into its next iteration of Android (goodbye, Google Assistant?) and will have better contextual awareness. We’re intrigued to see what shape all of that will take.
We predict Google will unveil a next-gen smartwatch and wireless buds, too. But to make sure, you can watch and read along with our liveblog or follow the Made By Google YouTube channel—or both!
We should also have hands-on impressions of everything Google lets us get our grubby paws on. The event kicks off today at 1PM ET.
— Mat Smith
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More durable than expected
On the eve of seeing its replacement (probably), how has Google’s first foldable fared? Our die-hard foldables expert, Sam Rutherford, made the Pixel Fold his main phone for the last year, and for added jeopardy, he doesn’t use a case. It’s not been an issue: It has myriad scuffs and scratches, some dents from being dropped and a few scrapes on its matte Gorilla Glass Victus back, but all of this is purely cosmetic. While he ended up fixing a cracked external screen due to multiple drops on a tile flooring, the bigger (foldable!) display has remained undamaged. The Pixel Fold is a lot tougher than we thought it would be.
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Team shooter Deadlock is racing up the charts.
Valve’s next game, not yet officially announced, had 16,000-plus concurrent players over the weekend. We know it’s called Deadlock and that Valve was working on it for a while, so this is a soft launch of some kind. Reportedly in development since 2018, the game is a competitive MOBA shooter, billed as “the next Dota” by veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker.
The big question: Where’s my invite to play?
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