Google Shifts Focus to AI as Android 15 Missing from Pixel 9 Event

Google held its most recent Made By Google event where it unveiled the Pixel 9 series and new AI benefits for consumers as well as smart home accessories. The only…

By Ishika Setia

August 16, 2024

3 min read

Comments

Google held its most recent Made By Google event where it unveiled the Pixel 9 series and new AI benefits for consumers as well as smart home accessories. The only one that was really missing was Android 15 — a fact that surprised many as it has been on the radar for a while now.

More About Google Event and Android 15

Not a word about Android 15 during the event. Instead, the attention was more pointed towards AI and how Gemini would be featured in their devices. The livestream can be viewed below, but for those who prefer to read about it here: the first 25 minutes are all Gemini features and its bridge into other Google services as well as how it will look bundled inside of the Pixel 9 lineup.

It is the first time Google has announced a new series of smartphones with last year’s Android 14. New Pixel phones generally make the headlines for arriving with new Android software, and then offering one extra year of updates. That means it will get bumped off one year early at launch with Android 14, as the Pixel 9 series is guaranteed only six years of updates instead of always seven.

The event also featured a brief mention of Android, but again the focus was squarely on Gemini. The report highlights this Artificial Intelligence interest, a continuing trend in Silicon Valley as companies put more horsepower behind their AI features. Google has been working hard in recent times to remain up-to-date with advancements seen in AI like ChatGPT.

The AI undertakes this spotlighted pattern is not a new model. The new dialogue around Android 15 comes as no significant development was detailed at Google I/O this year, leaving little beyond talk of the ‘Gemini’ set. The stage for this event was also available where the next Android version would be discussed.

With AI currently in the spotlight, Android updates might just become a lower priority for now. And perhaps Google could run separate AI-specific events. At any rate, it’s unclear when Android 15 will actually be released; all the AI innovation comes first. Do you agree with this shift in focus?