Google Unveils Pixel Fold, First-Ever Foldable Phone with AI-Powered Photo Editing Tool and More
Google has unveiled its first-ever foldable phone, the Pixel Fold, at its I/O conference.[0] The device features a foldable OLED panel and two Samsung-made displays, as well as a Tensor G2 chip manufactured by Samsung.[0] The phone has a 5.8-inch exterior screen that folds out into a 7.6-inch tablet and is available for pre-order in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, with shipping starting on June 27.[1] The Pixel Fold is powered by Google's custom Tensor G2 chip and 12GB of RAM, with storage options of 256GB or 512GB. Google promises the best cameras ever seen on a foldable phone, with a triple rear camera system that includes a 10.8 MP ultrawide lens, a main 48 MP lens, and a 5x folded telephoto lens. There's also a 9.5 MP camera on the exterior screen, plus an 8 MP inner camera.[2]
Software features that take advantage of the form factor are important when it comes to foldable devices, and Google has added a few such features to the Pixel Fold.[0] One of those features is Magic Editor, a new AI-powered photo editing tool that allows users to make significant edits to photos, including enhancing the sky, moving a person or object, and getting rid of people in the background.[3] It will be available to select Pixel users later this year.[4]
At a starting price of $499, the Pixel 7A, a low-cost smartphone, has also been introduced by Google.[5] The device is powered by the Tensor G2 chip and has upgrades to the camera. The Pixel 7A is available now at the Google Store, with a special Coral model.[6]
Google also announced Duet AI for Workspace, which allows users to collaborate with AI on writing, creating images from text, turning data into insights, generating backgrounds for video calls, and more.[3] There's a waitlist to use AI in Workspace.[3]
For developers, Google announced PaLM 2, an update to its large language processing models that is trained better on more languages, as well as math and science, and has improved understanding of security and medical concepts.[7] It has been reported that PaLM 2 has more than 100 languages and has undergone testing in coding, mathematics, creative writing, and analysis.[8]
Google also reportedly has a Pixel Tablet in the works, which is expected to offer an 11-inch display and a Tensor G2 chipset.[9]
While the Pixel Fold is expected to cost upwards of $1,700, Google is offering a free Pixel Watch ($349 value) with every purchase for a limited time.[10] The company also promises the best cameras ever seen on a foldable phone, with a triple rear camera system that includes a 10.8 MP ultrawide lens, a main 48 MP lens, and a 5x folded telephoto lens. There's also a 9.5 MP camera on the exterior screen, plus an 8 MP inner camera.[2]
0. “How to watch Google I/O 2023 live this week” SamMobile – Samsung news, 10 May. 2023, https://www.sammobile.com/news/how-to-watch-google-i-o-2023-live-this-week/
1. “Google Pixel Fold Will Launch This June for $1800” IGN, 10 May. 2023, https://www.ign.com/articles/google-pixel-fold-specs-release-date-price
2. “Google Announces Pixel 7A, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet” Thurrott.com, 10 May. 2023, https://www.thurrott.com/mobile/282979/google-announces-pixel-7a-pixel-fold-pixel-tablet
3. “Google I/O: $1800 Google Pixel Fold, AI Updates and More” MacRumors, 10 May. 2023, https://www.macrumors.com/2023/05/10/google-io-pixel-fold-ai-announcements/
4. “The nine biggest announcements from Google I/O 2023” The Verge, 10 May. 2023, https://www.theverge.com/23718158/google-io-2023-biggest-announcements-ai-pixel-fold-tablet-android-14
5. “Google launches its first foldable phone Pixel Fold at Rs 1.47 L, Pixel Tablet & Pixel 7A start at Rs 40K” Economic Times, 10 May. 2023, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/google-launches-its-first-foldable-phone-pixel-fold-at-rs-1-47-lac-pixel-tablet-pixel-7a-start-at-rs-40k/articleshow/100143272.cms
6. “Google I/O 2023: The Biggest AI and Pixel Announcements Today” IGN, 10 May. 2023, https://www.ign.com/articles/google-io-2023-everything-announced-pixel-fold-tablet-bard-palm2
7. “Google I/O: Watch the Keynote Live Here, All the Reveals Happening Now” CNET, 10 May. 2023, https://www.cnet.com/tech/google-io-watch-the-keynote-live-here-all-the-reveals-to-expect/
8. “What to expect at Google I/O 2023: Leaks and other info reveal Google's AI plans.” Mashable, 9 May. 2023, https://mashable.com/article/google-io-2023-ai-announcements-leaks
9. “How to watch Google I/O 2023: Everything to expect and how to stream live” Tom's Guide, 8 May. 2023, https://www.tomsguide.com/news/how-to-watch-google-io-2023-preview
10. “Pixel Fold Now Up for Pre-Order, Priced at $1799” Droid Life, 10 May. 2023, https://www.droid-life.com/2023/05/10/pixel-fold-now-up-for-pre-order-priced-at-1799
