Google Announces New Pixel 9 Device For Surprise Event in August - 1

Google Announces New Pixel 9 Device For Surprise Event in August

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by

Google shared a teaser on multiple channels this week promoting the new Pixel 9 and an ahead-of-schedule “Made by Google” in-person event in California on August 13th. Traditionally, the company holds this event to announce new devices in October.

In the short 15-second video titled “AI… meet IX at Made by Google,” the tech giant shows only a glimpse in the dark of what the new device will look like with the hip-hop song “Magic”—by Vince Staples & Mustard—in the background.

In the beginning, it displays the text “Google Pixels” followed by the Roman number IX, allusive to the new device, and at the end a date also in Roman numbers: VII • XIII •MMXXIV

According to The Verge , select individuals and organizations received an official invitation: “You’re invited to an in-person Made by Google event where we’ll showcase the best of Google AI, Android software and the Pixel portfolio of devices.”

The event will take place in Google Bay View, in Mountain View, California, at 10:00 am Pacific Time. Google did not provide more information on the release of other devices like the Pixel Watch 3 or new AI features but did promise a “hands-on product experience” after the keynote.

In May, Google Launched new AI models and features including suggestions on where the company is headed in terms of technology and hints of what users can expect in the near future. Users Are Thrilled

Loyal customers noticed the usual event date changed but it didn’t seem to upset them. “Oh, man. I used to get a new Pixel device on my birthday in October every year. Well…I guess my birthday is coming early this year!!” commented one user on Youtube .

“Very smart of Google [to move] the date. I remember getting the Pixel 8 and about a month later it went on sale way before black Friday. Never again,” added another one.

Huawei’s New “HarmonyOS NEXT” Beta Drops Android and Linux Codebase - 2

Huawei’s New “HarmonyOS NEXT” Beta Drops Android and Linux Codebase

  • Written by Shipra Sanganeria Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
  • Fact-Checked by

Huawei unveiled the latest beta version of its in-house operating system, HarmonyOS NEXT, at the Huawei Developer Conference (HDC) 2024 last week. According to GizmoChina , this iteration breaks away from the Linux Kernel and Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) codebase and features Huawei’s proprietary Hongmeng kernel and system architecture.

“HarmonyOS NEXT is a fully self-developed, independently controllable operating system originating from China,” said Richard Yu Chengdong, Huawei’s consumer business group chair, at the developer conference.

HarmonyOS Next will also feature “Harmony Intelligence”, Huawei’s take on Google Gemini and Apple Intelligence. This feature also brings proprietary AI capabilities to Huawei devices, integrating Xiaoyi as its virtual assistant.

Huawei’s new HarmonyOS will span its entire product lineup—from smartphones and smart wearables to tablets, headphones, smart driving vehicles, and smart home solutions.

“It’s different from other operating systems out there, where each type of device needs a specific OS. Harmony OS Next is one as all, all as one,” Yu said.

Currently, HarmonyOS Next is in a beta testing phase which is available to developers and select users. According to the company, the commercial launch is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2024 with its flagship 5G smartphone series, the Mate 70.

Huawei developed its own operating system, HarmonyOS, as an alternative to Android in August 2019, following its addition to the US Entity List . This designation prevented Huawei from purchasing US-origin technologies, including software, chips, and other critical components, without approval from Washington.

Since its launch in 2019, HarmonyOS has been adopted on over 900 million devices, with more than 2.5 million developers creating apps for the platform, as announced by Yu during the conference.

This latest development aims to further accelerate the adoption of HarmonyOS, particularly after surpassing Apple’s iOS to become China’s second-largest mobile operating platform. According to Canalys, in Q1 2024, Huawei’s market share was 17% compared to Apple’s 15% in the same period.