ICYMI: The 7 most important tech news of the week, from Google’s Pixel 9 reveals to OpenAI’s GPT 4-o concerns
This week, Google wowed us with its Made by Google event, where we were shown four Pixel phones, including the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a new smartwatch, new earbuds, and (of course) plenty of Gemini AI updates to try out.
We were also confronted with important leaks about VR headsets from Meta and Pico and there were rumors that Apple’s iPhone Air would be a slim alternative to the usual smartphones.
To stay up to date on all of this, scroll down for a recap of the week’s top tech news, and we’ll see you next weekend for another quick recap.
7. Made by Google: Gemini AI has received an upgrade
This week, Google wowed the world with Gemini Live at its Made for Google event, where it unveiled gorgeous new Pixel 9 phones. The new AI-powered version of its digital assistant can now talk to you about complex topics, knows what’s on your calendar, and can tell you what Jane asked you in an email a week ago. It also has ten different voices to choose from, so you can develop a much more personal relationship with your phone.
Other new AI features include editing your photos in Pixel Studio so you can add things that weren’t originally there, like the sun, a tree, or even a spaceship. And as if that wasn’t enough, Gemini can now do all the research for you, too, creating a Google Doc with sources, references, and links. Homework will never be the same again!
6. Made by Google: Four new Pixel 9 phones were introduced
Google has taken a big design swing with its latest Pixel 9 range. The camera arrays are still striking, but instead of bands there are islands and instead of curved backs, we see a look on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL that has more in common than ever with the design aesthetic of Apple’s iPhone.
Google has improved performance across the entire lineup, moving from the Tensor G3 to the G4 and adding a lot more RAM. Joining them is the completely redesigned foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It’s super thin and has a huge flexible 8-inch screen inside.
Of course, the big story of all these phones might be how they take advantage of all the new Gemini AI features like Add Me for Photos and Gemini Live. We’ve spent time with all of these phones (and those cool AI features) and have been impressed, but we won’t know for sure if they’re a must-buy or upgrade until we’ve tested them all.
5. Made by Google: Pixel Watch 3 has overtaken Fitbit smartwatches
As for wearables, the new Pixel Watch 3, unveiled at the Made By Google event, is bigger and better than ever. Alongside the existing 41mm model is a new 45mm model with a 40% larger screen that can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness. Both watches offer advanced running metrics, Wear OS 5, brand 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 series have been discontinued. Fitbits are back to slim wristband-sized trackers like the Luxe and Inspire, while the Google Pixel Watch will be the only smartwatch series that Google sells going forward. Rest in peace.
4. Made by Google: Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a hit
Alongside new Pixel phones – including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold – Google has also launched a new pair of earbuds, and we had the chance to try them out. The new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are designed to rival other high-end earbuds with active noise cancellation, long battery life, and a price tag of $229.99 / £219 / around AU$379.
The biggest opportunity, however, may not be a more natural default playback or the ability to wear Gemini in your ears when paired with the right phone. It’s the fact that Google has drastically shrunk the size from the first generation to create an earbud that’s much more comfortable, sticks out from your ears less, and offers a much better passive seal. Oh, and they come in two really fun shades: Peony or Wintergreen.
We can’t wait to spend more time with them and rock out to artists like Bruce Springsteen and Olivia Rodrigo, but for now, check out our full first impressions.
There have been a lot of leaks about VR headsets this week. We got a look at the “final design” of the almost-confirmed Meta Quest 3S – a cheaper alternative to the Quest 3, a sort of Quest 2.5 whose existence Meta itself leaked twice – which looks clunkier than we’d like, but could come with a brand new action button that’s either programmable or used to quickly switch between VR and MR. We’ll likely find out more at Meta Connect on September 25 and 26.
Then there was the Pico 4S, which leaks suggest is more of a high-end model – the leaker said it will be called the Pico 4 Ultra in some regions. If it’s real, it would be Pico’s answer to the Meta Quest 3, which would be exciting. The Pico 4 was a solid competitor to the Meta Quest 2, only disappointing in software; if the Pico 4S (assuming it’s real) can score points in that area, it could be the first real alternative to the Quest 3 (ignoring Meta’s other headsets) – especially since 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 announced that it is observing how users develop feelings for its ChatGPT bot, using language one would normally only use with friends or loved ones, rather than with a device. There is also concern that interpersonal interaction could be compromised by users’ ability to interrupt the AI - which is rude in normal conversation.
In addition, a new update to GPT 4-o has been released, but since it doesn’t have a major new feature to point to, OpenAI doesn’t know how to explain how the upgrade improves ChatGPT – which could be a problem for other AI makers in the future as well. How do you effectively quantify the benefit of AI?
If these issues aren’t resolved soon, they could spell particularly bad news for AI makers. Skeptics point to these unintended negative side effects and the black box nature of AI as reasons for greater regulation. But we’ll have to wait and see if any government bodies take action or if AI development will remain in the Wild West for a little while longer.
1. New rumors about the iPhone Air embarrass us
Many people will be thinking about upgrading to the iPhone 16 next month. But some new rumors this week may have thwarted those plans—or at least thrown them into disarray, 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 apparently be priced somewhere between an iPhone 17 and a 17 Pro and will behave like the MacBook Air in Apple’s phone lineup.
We don’t know about you, but that sounds like a good excuse not to spend $799 / £799 / AU$1,499 on a new phone this year…
