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Google Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 Series to Pixel Watch and Android 13: Biggest announcements from I/O 2022

  • Published On: May 12, 2022
  • Last Updated: May 12, 2022

   

Highlights

  • Google has announced a slew of Pixel hardware devices at I/O 2022
  • Apart from the Pixel 6a, most of them will be available later this year
  • The search giant also made software-related announcements

Google’s annual I/O Developer conference took place last night. The search giant announced its much-anticipated mid-range Pixel 6a smartphone. Notably, there were also additional hardware-related surprises at the event. 

Also Read: Google Pixel 6a India launch officially confirmed

At the I/O 2022 keynote, Google went on to reveal the flagship Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro along with Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Tablet. The Pixel 7 series, Buds Pro, and Watch are set to arrive later this year whereas the Pixel Tablet will debut next year. Here is a look at some of the biggest announcements from Google’s annual developers conference.

Table of Contents

Pixel 7 series 

Google teased its upcoming Pixel 7 series flagships at the developer conference. The next-generation Pixel 7 and 7 Pro will arrive as the successors to last year’s Pixel 6 series. The upcoming offerings will feature an upgraded design starting with an aluminium horizontal bridge on the back panel housing dual cameras in a pill-shaped cutout and a third lens paired with LED flash outside.

The smartphones will retain a dual-tone finish and come with a premium glass back panel. The Pixel 7 series is confirmed to come with an upgraded Tensor chip so we can expect improvements in terms of performance. The smartphones will also ship with next-gen Android 13 out of the box. The regular and Pro variants will be available in Obsidian and Snow colours as well as a third Lemongrass and Hazel colour respectively. 

Google Pixel Watch

Next up is Google’s first-ever smartwatch, the Pixel Watch. After a lot of leaks and rumours, the search giant finally revealed the design and key features of the wearable device. As expected, the Pixel Watch features a circular dial with a minimalistic design. It has a traditional crown and another physical button on the right side. 

The Pixel Watch will run on WearOS and come with features like Google Assistant, controlling Nest home devices, built-in GPS, the ability to send messages and NFC support. The wearable device is also confirmed to be equipped with a continuous heart rate sensor and sleep monitor along with fitness tracking and active zone minutes. The smartwatch will also come with Fitbit integration. 

Google Pixel Buds Pro

The Pixel Buds Pro are the most premium version of truly wireless earbuds from Google. They are also the first from the brand to come with active noise cancellation. The latest offering retains the same in-ear and dual-tone design as their predecessor. They are IPX4 rated water-resistant. 

The Pixel Buds Pro are equipped with a custom 11mm driver and a 6-core audio processor. The ANC and Silent Seal feature on Pixel Buds Pro adapt to the shape of the user’s ears to maximise the amount of noise cancellation. The TWS earphones also come with a transparency mode to be aware of surroundings. They are also said to receive spatial audio support via an update later this year. Other features of the audio device include touch controls, beamforming microphones, Google Assistant support, multipoint connectivity, and real-time language translation.

The Pixel Buds Pro are claimed to deliver 11 hours of battery usage and 7 hours with ANC enabled. The pro version of Google’s TWS earbuds are priced at $199.99 (~Rs 15,513) and are offered in Coral, Lemongrass, Fog, and Charcoal colours. They will be available for purchase from July 21st. 

Google Pixel Tablet

Google confirmed that it is working on a tablet and it will be launched next year. The Pixel Tablet will be powered by the company’s in-house Tensor chipset. Google says that ‘it is designed to be a perfect companion to your Pixel phone’. The device has bezels around the display and the back panel seems to be made of plastic housing a single camera sensor. Apart from this, details about the Pixel Tablet remain scant at this moment. 

Google Pixel 6a

The Google Pixel 6a arrives as an upgrade to last year’s Pixel 5a. It offers a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera whereas the dual rear camera setup comprises a 12.2MP primary and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The Pixel 6a is powered by a Tensor chip coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB native storage. It is backed by a 4,306mAh battery and runs on Android 12 OS. 

The Pixel 6a costs $449 (~Rs 34,750) and will be available in the US from May 17th. It is confirmed to be available in India later this year. 

Software announcements

Alongside hardware devices, Google also made announcements about AI, Android and software. The company announced its plans to create a password-free technology by auto-enrolling users in two-factor authentication that will reduce the risk of phishing. Google Maps also gets the ‘Immersive View’ feature that will enable users to experience the look of the location before they arrive. The search giant also revealed its next-version mobile operating system i.e. Android 13. It will offer enhanced security and privacy along with more customisation. 

Lastly, Google announced that is re-introducing the Wallet app that aims to be a centralised place for storing payment cards, gift cards, reward cards, proof of vaccination, and more. 

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Viraj Gawde

Viraj loves being in the creative field. Being a tech guy and resident tech advisor for his friends and family, his interest lies in smartphones, laptops and cameras. Passionate about creating art, his forte lies in photography. In his downtime, he loves gaming on his self-built rig and supporting FC Barcelona.