Google has added two extra years of software program help to the Pixel 6 sequence, the Pixel 7 sequence, and the unique Pixel Fold. That’s implausible information for anybody utilizing these telephones; since they use a Google-designed Tensor chip, it is what ought to have been promised all alongside.
It says a bit extra about Android’s instant future, even when it would not spell it out: do not count on the following killer function(s) to be a part of Android.
You’re proper if you happen to’re pondering that Google hasn’t mentioned something about Android 17 but and actually hasn’t informed us a lot about Android 16. nevertheless it would not must as a result of we now know that no matter it’s, the Pixel 6 will (hopefully) have the ability to run it.
The Pixel 6 wasn’t a nasty cellphone, however let’s be sincere — its Tensor chip is not a powerhouse, and having “solely” 8GB of RAM means it is lacking many on-device AI options. It was constructed earlier than Pixel telephones wanted chips that might course of AI even sooner and the reminiscence to energy the options that got here together with it. We shortly noticed that only one 12 months later.
Here’s the factor — none of that, or any of Google’s AI magic, is a part of Android. It’s all proprietary Google property that it releases to pick units because it sees match. Android has been like this for some time, with Google holding again most of the options you suppose include it and deciding which telephones from which firms can have them. If you ever get your palms on a tool that runs the free and open model of Android, you will simply see how it’s missing.
I wish to name this the Pixel paywall. Google reveals us a brand new function, spends half-hour on a stage to inform us how nice it’s and why we should always need it, then says you solely get it if you happen to purchase a brand new Pixel cellphone.
This is not nothing new; each different tech firm does the identical factor. The distinction is different tech firms do not supply a “free” working system that powers billions of smartphones.
We’re going to see this once more with Android 16 when Google debuts a brand new Pixel cellphone. All of the brand new options are going to be Google’s personal and never freely out there as a part of Android, and a handful of them will solely be out there for the Pixel 10. Don’t count on many (or any) of them in your Pixel 6. You will not be dissatisfied that manner.
There’s nothing flawed with this. I do not prefer it, and I do know different individuals who really feel the identical manner, however no person ought to count on a for-profit firm to show over its greatest software program options or the key algorithms that energy them as free software program, regardless of how restrictive the licensing is. Google is doing what we should always count on it to do.
Future variations of Android can have loads of different adjustments underneath the hood, and people might be crucial, particularly by way of stability, safety, and privateness. Many of these “API adjustments” that do not get a lot press do exactly that and are 100% obligatory and necessary.
Things like digicam methods or fancy AI-powered dwelling display options are separate, the identical manner Samsung’s are for Samsung telephones or Apple’s are for iPhones. Google realizes their worth and is aware of it would entice just a few individuals sufficient to purchase a brand new Pixel cellphone although their Pixel 6 remains to be supported and does every part it did when it was new and extra.
It’s nonetheless nice that Google realizes it has an obligation (sure, I mentioned obligation) to help Tensor-powered units so long as attainable. Nvidia can inform them a factor or two about how having management over the brains of an Android system means you possibly can help it for a decade. Or longer.
