The Pixel Watch 5 comes in 41mm and 45mm size variants. When choosing one or two of the best Google Pixel Watch 5 bands to go with your Pixel wearable, keep the size in mind. You wouldn't want to order a band that doesn't end up fitting your Pixel Watch 5.
Another cool fact is that every 41mm Pixel Watch, from the first to the Watch 5, can use the same bands. As for the 45mm Pixel Watch variants introduced from the Watch 5, all of them from then until the latest 45mm Pixel Watch 5 can also use the same bands. I have summarized the best Google Pixel Watch 5 bands for your perusal.
These comfy watch bands fit the Pixel Watch 5 well
Google Pixel Watch Performance Loop Band
Best overall
Available in 41mm and 45mm variants, the first-party Performance Loop Band comes in six different color combos. The micro-adjustable band has stainless steel lugs and is made of recycled polyester, nylon, and elastane yarns that are woven beautifully.
Spigen Athlex Air for Google Pixel Watch 5
Best sporty
The Spigen Athlex Air for Google Pixel Watch 5 is built for strenuous activities, gym use, and sports. It can undergo rough use, comes in 41mm and 45mm options, is lightweight on the wrist, costs below $25, and can be easily adjusted.
Google Pixel Watch Metal Links Band
Best metallic
The Google Pixel Watch Metal Links Band is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, and you can choose from a Matte Black or Brushed Silver finish. This classic stainless steel watch band is all class and elegance, but it is heartbreakingly expensive.
Bandletic Magnetic Silicone Band Google Pixel Watch 5
Best silicone
The Bandletic Magnetic Silicone Band Google Pixel Watch 5 has a unique look that imitates a metal link band. It looks sporty and fun, feels light and comfy, comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, has a wide assortment of colors, and goes easy on your wallet.
Spigen Nano Pop for Google Pixel Watch 5
Best color-combo
The Spigen Nano Pop for Google Pixel Watch 5 is an affordable, classic band available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The Nano Pop series of accessories is a crowd favorite, offering awesome color combos like Blueberry Navy and Black Sesame.
Spigen Rugged Band for Google Pixel Watch 5
Best rugged
Need something really heavy-duty that can survive challenging terrain? Spigen has your back. The Spigen Rugged Band for the Pixel Watch 5 has both 41mm and 45mm variants. It is made of tear and scratch-proof TPU and a very durable metal buckle.
Get the right Pixel Watch 5 band to suit your use style
Accessorizing your Google Pixel Watch 5 entails knowing your preferences. The wearable comes with a basic Pixel Watch Active Band (2nd gen) in the box. While it is water resistant, it makes sense to invest in at least one more Pixel Watch 5 band to go with your lifestyle. If you're a very active individual, you might want to get a heavy-duty strap that is tear-resistant and airy. Getting a more formal band for special occasions and corporate events is also a good idea.
The Pixel Watch Performance Loop Band comes in a wide range of colors and you can choose from 41mm and 45mm variants. This lightweight woven band is freely adjustable and ideal for active wear. If you want something more durable or more affordable, Spigen has a number of fantastic Pixel Watch 5 bands, particularly the sporty Athlex Air and the heavy-duty Rugged Band.
Sleek metal bands like the first-party Pixel Watch Metal Links Band are easy on the eyes, but very harsh on your wallet. I am helplessly in love with this classy metal band, and it even comes with a sizing tool to help you remove extra links, but at $199.99, Google is asking too much. If you don't mind the steep cost of acquiring this stunning stainless steel band, it'll surely elevate the look of your Google Pixel Watch 5 in a marvelous way.
Samsung did a thing this year, making its foldables exciting again with the launch of the smaller, wider Galaxy Z Fold 8. It's basically the little brother of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, a larger foldable that follows the taller and more square design of its predecessors.
Apparently, the smaller Galaxy Z Fold 8 is very popular, as Samsung has highlighted a dramatic increase in preorders and has reportedly ramped up production. But should you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8? Here are my thoughts after spending a few weeks with the phone and extensively testing its camera.
Why you should buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8
It really is the perfect size
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
I have an affinity for flip phones and have used one as my go-to. I like that they're small and pocketable, though they tend to be quite thick when folded. On the flip side, I tend not to care for larger book-style foldables, as they are quite tall and only open to a larger, square-ish display.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 feels like a Goldilocks foldable, adopting the smaller size of a flip phone while offering the utility of a book-style foldable when open. It's actually the size of my passport when closed, and it's incredibly lightweight and easy to slip in my pocket. I honestly didn't think I would like the Fold 8 until I held it in my hand and something just clicked.
Open it, and it feels more like a tablet than traditional foldables, which I think adds to its appeal.
(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)
Additionally, both displays are gorgeous, vibrant, and easy to see outdoors. It also helps that the inner display is basically creaseless. Sure, you can see the crease from certain angles and depending on how the light hits it, but if you run your finger across it, it's pretty much not there.
If Apple really is working towards releasing a foldable, this should be the blueprint.
Multitasking and media
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
One of the most awkward things about multitasking on larger book-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is that they don't always handle multitasking as well as they should. Samsung's One UI can open three apps at the same time in a split-screen view, but due to the square-ish aspect ratio, only one app is open in full view on one side of the display, while the other two are split in half on the other side.
However, what I love about the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is that you can run three full apps side by side or in a row, which makes it feel more like a tablet than its larger sibling.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
What also helps is how the Galaxy Z Fold 8 handles media and content. Ebooks look great on the inner display, whether you read them in landscape or portrait orientation. Videos also look much better on the inner display than they do on the larger Ultra. They aren't any bigger when open full screen, but the black bars on the top and bottom are smaller.
It also handles vertical videos from TikTok and Instagram better, since you can rotate the phone in a portrait orientation. And you can always watch horizontal videos or videos on the external display, which also look great in either orientation and better fill the 16:10 aspect ratio.
Performance and cool AI features
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, which is currently the most powerful mobile processor on the market. It's paired with 12 or 16GB of RAM, depending on your storage configuration, so there's little issue with performance. It is a flagship, after all, and it handles graphics-intensive games like Honkai: Star Rail quite well.
You'll also get plenty of cool AI features like My FanCam, which lets you reframe a video by focusing on a subject, making it the perfect way to share memories with friends or on social media. You also get plenty of Gemini Intelligence features, such as the ability to let the AI order food or book rideshares and hotels for you, and many of the Galaxy AI features can be processed on-device to keep your data as private as possible.
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
And the AI gets even more proactive by suggesting actions for you based on the context of your conversations, such as surfacing relevant photos for you to share, scheduling information, or your location.
The only downside I've noticed is that it can get a bit warm if you're gaming for an extended period, but this is lessened if you're using a Galaxy Z Fold 8 case.
Price (it's cheaper than the Ultra)
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
Foldables aren't cheap, but the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra. If you're trying to choose between the two, price is definitely something to consider, especially since you get roughly the same performance, storage and RAM options, seven-year software promise, and mostly the same feature set. And for the extra couple hundred that you save, you can get yourself some extras, like Qi2 charging accessories.
Why you shouldn't buy the Galaxy Z Fold 8
Price (it's still expensive)
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
That said, $1,900 isn't cheap, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is still a very expensive phone. Yes, I do love this phone, but I'm not sure if I would spend that kind of money on any smartphone (that's more than what I pay for rent in Seattle, WA).
If you're willing, you can always trade in an older phone or try to take advantage of Galaxy Z Fold 8 deals. Buying from carriers also makes it easy to spread the cost over time, but the fact of the matter is that you're paying nearly $2,000 for a smartphone.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is still better
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
For just $200 more, you can get a technically better phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra offers larger displays, a bigger battery, and a better camera system that incorporates a 200MP wide and 10MP telephoto sensor.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra also supports the Flex Panel, a handy One UI feature that turns the bottom half of the display into a keyboard or shows various controls when the phone is folded at an angle, depending on the context of what's on the upper half of the display.
So, it's up to you to decide if the $200 upgrade is worth it.
Cameras are meh
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
I really wanted to like the cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but they're just okay. You get two 50MP sensors that produce decent images, but they tend to lack vibrancy and detail compared to other similar camera systems. I tested the Galaxy Z Fold 8 camera against the Razr Ultra 2026 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the latter two phones produced more pleasing images of the same scenes.
It also doesn't do particularly well in low light, can be a little noisy, and zoom images lack detail compared to other cameras. Given the lack of a telephoto camera, that's understandable, but that adds to why you might wanna splurge for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
No S Pen support
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
If you're hoping for a return of the S Pen to foldable phones, you'll be disappointed with the Galaxy Z Fold 8. Unfortunately, the S Pen remains elusive on Samsung's foldables once again. It's a strange omission, especially given that Motorola now supports an active stylus on the Razr Fold and Samsung continues to include an S Pen with the Galaxy S Ultra models.
It kinda feels like a waste of all that screen real estate, even though it would make for a great canvas and note-taking device, especially with the minimal crease.
Google's small-sized duo shares a 6.3-inch 120Hz Actua OLED display with a peak brightness of 3000 nits. So while the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may not be able to share cases, the best Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro screen protectors are one and the same.
Tempered glass provides the best shatter-proofing, whereas TPU and PET films provide better scratch resistance and touch response as they are thinner than glass. Some plastic screen guards can self-repair minor abrasions by design. Regardless of your preference, I have gathered all your top options right here.
These screen protectors thwart colossal screen damage to your Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro
Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector for Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro
Best overall
The Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro is a two-pack of robust AluminaCore glass screen protectors with shatter-proofing, a cleaning kit, and an alignment too. Spigen promises ease of use and case-friendliness from its value-packed two-pack.
ArmorSuit 2 Pack Paper-Feel Texture Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11
Best film
The ArmorSuit 2 Pack Paper-Feel Texture Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11 is a budget-friendly kit with two paper-like TPU screen protectors for the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro. The top layer deflects glare, improving visibility.
Ferilinso Privacy Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11 Tempered Glass 3 Pack
Best privacy
The Ferilinso Privacy Screen Protector is a three-pack of tempered glass screen protectors that are darkened for privacy. The screen of your Pixel 11 or 11 Pro is only visible from a short distance, preventing peeping Toms from prying.
ZAGG XTR5 Google Pixel 11 / Pixel 11 Pro Screen Protector
Best premium
Admittedly, $60 is a lot for a single screen protector, even if it is the ultra-premium ZAGG XTR5 with blue light filtration and 11 times the strength of glass. But, you get a lifetime replacement warranty, so it's more of an investment, or an insurance policy.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik Camera Lens Protector for Pixel 11 Pro
Best lens guard for Pixel 11 Pro
Since the Pixel 11 Pro has a different camera bar size, the camera lens protector for it needs to be model specific. Don't worry for the Spigen Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik Camera Lens Protector for the Pixel 11 Pro is an all inclusive two-pack, all tools included.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik Camera Lens Protector for Pixel 11
Best lens guard for Pixel 11
Much like the Pixel 11 Pro, the Spigen Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik Camera Lens Protector for the Pixel 11 is made of the same high-clarity, shatter-proof tempered glass. This two-pack also includes all the alignment and cleaning tools necessary for installation.
Reinforce that stunning 6.3-inch OLED on your Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro
Unless you purchase Pixel Care+ when buying your Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, screen repairs are going to cost you splendid amounts of cash. A split second slip could cause major damage to your phone's screen without any protective measures. That is exactly why a sturdy, reliable screen protector is an absolute must, with or without a phone case to go with it.
Tempered glass provides the best shatter-proofing, which is why the high quality Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector is a great fit for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro. I have used this AluminaCore glass screen protector on my Pixel 10 Pro for a year now, and it's still looking fantastic. Touch response is as smooth as butter, phone cases go on with ease, and the installation process is so quick and easy. That $20 price tag is a neat deal, too, delivering plenty of value for money. I also suggest getting the camera lens guard from Spigen, though you need to make sure you buy the model specific variant for your Pixel 11 or 11 Pro.
If you prefer something a lot more premium, ZAGG has got you covered. Spending $60 on the XTR5 for the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro gets you a lifetime replacement warranty to go with the high-end screen protector. Not only is it 11 times as durable as conventional glass protectors, but it also filters harmful blue light emissions from your phone's display, maximizing eye friendliness.
The Google Pixel 11 marks another year in which Google is reusing the design started with the Pixel 9 series, but if history is any indication, we could see a big shake-up with the Pixel 12.
Google's Pixel phones have been gaining traction in the market over the past few years, owing to Google's "iPhone-like" approach to the series hardware design and software leanings. Even Google's marketing looks a lot more like Apple's these days, but we're hoping Google continues to maintain its historic spirit of innovation in the next round of devices.
And that's where Pixel 12 comes in. Pixel phones have looked the same for the past three years, but they've always packed an experimental surprise that keeps everyone guessing. From squeezable sides to radar-powered gesture sensors, and even the new HiLight LED on the back of the Pixel 11, it's a wonder what Google will think up next. Let's explore all the leaks and rumors for Google's next device and see what they have cooking, shall we?
Price and availability
(Image credit: Google)
We fully expect the Google Pixel 12 family to debut next August, following a similar release cadence to the past few Pixels. Per one leak, Google will likely continue releasing four models for the Pixel 12 family: the base Pixel 12, the Pixel 12 Pro, the larger Pixel 12 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 12 Pro Fold.
Unless something drastically changes over the course of the next year, there's also a high likelihood that each model will see another price increase. RAM and storage are at a premium right now, and prices are expected to continue to rise throughout 2027 (and maybe beyond) as AI data centers hog the world's supply of RAM and storage modules. The trickle-down effect is more expensive consumer electronics, which everyone is familiar with at this point.
Spec bumps galore
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Every year, people expect the usual spec bumps to occur. A faster processor, better battery life, faster charging speed, etc. So far, Google has always met that expectation, albeit Tensor processors have always been slower than competing chips from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung Exynos.
While we don't know too much about the Tensor G7 processor that will likely power the Google Pixel 12 series, a few leaks give us some clues as to what's possible on the next chip. First up is a potential RAM upgrade (via Reptalica), with Google reportedly testing out LPDDR5x and LPDDR6 versions of Tensor G7. Looking at the numbers over the years offers a sneak peek at what this could bring:
Pixel 1 (LPDDR4): ~4.2Gbps
Pixel 2-5 (LPDDR4X): ~4.2Gbps (same speed, lower power requirements)
Pixel 6-7 (LPDDR5): ~6.4Gbps
Pixel 8-11 (LPDDR5x): ~10.6Gbps
Pixel 12 (LPDDR6 rumored): estimated ~14.4Gbps
Given the state of RAMageddon and the chipset crisis right now, it's entirely plausible that Google will remain with LPDDR5x for one more year just to save on costs. Still, we can hope for a sizable Tensor speed boost in 2027 if the cards line up right.
Next, we're looking at a potential battery capacity upgrade for the Pixel 12, if one comment from a Google rep holds any water. When asked about silicon-carbon batteries during the Pixel 11 event, a Google representative said the Pixel team was looking into implementing them.
Now, that comment doesn't say the company will definitely implement silicon-carbon into future Pixel batteries, and it doesn't specifically say Pixel 12, either. However, given that Samsung just began using 5% silicon-carbon content in the batteries on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, the likelihood that Google follows suit next year is pretty darn high.
What I'd like to see
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Google once again is using an outdated PowerVR GPU in the Pixel 11, a mistake the company made with the Pixel 10 and appears not to have learned from. On the Pixel 12, we're hoping Google uses a modern GPU that supports the latest Vulkan standards and delivers the gaming performance people expect from $1,200+ phones.
I'd also like to see Google switch up the design to make it more ergonomic. For years and years, Pixel phones were known for their comfortable, rounded edges and contoured lines that fit nicely in a human hand. With the Pixel 9, Google went a very flat route all around, once again going with a very iPhone-like look.
Google has historically stuck with a specific design language for 2-3 years at a time, so if history repeats itself again, we should be in for a big redesign with the Pixel 12.
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Additionally, I'd like to see Google take flicker accessibility more seriously. Pixel phones have had the worst PWM dimming rate for years, and while the Pixel 11 sports the same "sensitive eyes" feature that launched on some Pixel 10 models, that setting still doesn't go far enough in solving the problem for flicker-sensitive people like myself.
Google generally does a great job with bespoke accessibility features, like the amazing sign-language-to-text tool that launched with the Pixel 11, and I know they can get this one right if they want to.
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Lastly, I'd love to see HiLight be a little more...interesting. I got super excited about the Pixel Glow leaks and what we thought was a tease at Google I/O in May, and it turned out to be a tiny LED on the camera island instead of a glowing statement. HiLight is also very basic so far, at least as of the Pixel 11's launch, so any improvement here is sorely needed to make this a useful (or even just interesting) feature.
It'll be some time before we see an official Pixel 12 announcement, but I'm fully expecting plenty of leaks to happen over the next several months. That's always been the case with Pixels, and there's no reason to think that'll dry up this time.
Google TV Freeplay now offers more than 10,000 on-demand movies and TV shows at no subscription cost.
The service has grown beyond 300 channels covering news, sports, reality TV, true crime, and entertainment.
The catalog includes titles from A24 and Lionsgate, including Lady Bird, Seventeen Again, and Hell’s Kitchen.
If you want free movies without paying for another subscription, Google TV Freeplay just got a huge upgrade. Google’s built-in streaming service has expanded beyond live channels to include more than 10,000 on-demand movies and TV shows for free.
The update pushes Google's free live-TV lineup past the 300-channel mark. The lineup includes news, sports, reality TV, true crime, entertainment, and more, with new additions including Bloomberg TV+, Yahoo! Sports Network, World of Love Island, and The Martha Stewart Channel.
The number of channels is also moving fast. Freeplay crossed the 250-channel mark in December 2025, meaning Google has added roughly 50 more channels in only a few months.
Google says the library includes titles from studios such as A24 and Lionsgate, with examples including Lady Bird, Seventeen Again, and Hell’s Kitchen. The catalog will also be refreshed throughout the year, so the selection won’t be static.
That makes the update especially useful for Google TV owners. Supported Google TV devices come with Freeplay baked in, so you don’t have to install another streaming app to browse the new catalog. Open the Freeplay app from the Home screen and begin watching.
The update is delivered directly to Google TV Streamer boxes and smart TVs from brands including Sony, TCL, and Hisense, with no additional downloads required.
There’s one catch, though. The content is ad-supported, so “free” doesn’t mean commercial-free. The expanded Freeplay offering is currently limited to the U.S. and requires a Google account and a high-speed internet connection.
Yet, adding more than 10,000 on-demand titles makes a huge difference to Freeplay’s identity. Google is breaking away from scheduled free TV and giving viewers a true pick-what-you-want option without another monthly bill. With subscription fatigue at an all-time high, Google’s move puts serious pressure on paid rivals like Netflix while giving Tubi and Pluto TV a run for their money.
A 24GB Snapdragon 8 Elite Nubia Z70 Ultra was rebuilt inside a custom acrylic case and sandwiched between two full-size CPU coolers.
The oversized setup helps prevent thermal throttling, delivering 99% stability across 20 3DMark Wild Life Extreme loops.
Termux with GPU acceleration lets the phone power an XFCE Linux desktop with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
The phone reportedly manages around 20–30fps, with the GPU reaching roughly 99% utilization.
Most smartphones hit a thermal ceiling the second you push them beyond casual mobile gaming. But someone took that limitation as a personal challenge and stripped down a Nubia Z70 Ultra, literally sandwiching it between two full-size PC CPU coolers inside a custom acrylic housing. The outcome is a franken-rig smartphone that doubles as a surprisingly viable desktop replacement.
The project, shared by Reddit user ntsow, takes a 24GB Nubia Z70 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and places the phone’s main hardware between two desktop processor coolers inside a custom acrylic case. The original display of the phone has been moved to the front of the case, but the coolers are in direct contact with the shielding over the Snapdragon chip.
Why go that far? Reliable performance. Smartphones can throttle their processors when temperatures climb, but this overbuilt cooling setup means the Snapdragon 8 Elite can keep up a much more consistent performance. In a 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, the modified phone scored 6,980 on its best loop and 6,910 on its lowest with 99% stability over 20 loops.
Outside of benchmarks, the Z70 Ultra runs a full XFCE Linux desktop via Termux with GPU acceleration, enabling it to work with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Tools such as Wine, Box64, and GameNative can also make the setup run Windows software and games.
The experiment doesn’t really prove a phone can replace a PC, but it does show that sustained cooling might be just as important as raw silicon when you push modern smartphone chips into PC-class workloads.
ntsow / Redditntsow / Redditntsow / Reddit
And yes, it can run Witcher 3. The game apparently runs at around 20-30 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 with the Ultra preset, with the GPU hitting about 99% utilization. In some scenes, it can even push a little over 30fps.
However, there is a drawback to the performance. The phone is still working very hard, and a screenshot showed temperatures nearing 100 degrees Celsius. That was recorded in Nubia’s Diablo Mode, which pushes the hardware to its maximum power and allows overclocking, the builder says.
But it’s not a practical substitute for a gaming PC, and that’s almost beside the point. The experiment shows just how powerful modern phone hardware is when thermal limits are aggressively removed. The creator is still working on the software and intends to push the setup further, possibly turning one Android phone into an all-in-one machine for Android, Linux, and Windows workloads.
Google launched its brand-new Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 yesterday at 10 am, and then, eight hours later, re-announced the entire series in an awkward, 1.5-hour-long online presentation hosted by comedic sensation Trevor Noah.
The show was broadcast on YouTube, and at one point only 57,000 people were watching, but I think it did go up to 80,000. Comments were also turned off, and I’m not surprised why.
There were only two really amazing parts of the show: the first was when Joël Yawili, a Senior Product Manager for the Gemini app, appeared on the show, and the second was when the company announced a new accessibility feature called Sign-to-Text, which I’ll get to later.
I want to first focus on the show. There were some compelling moments when I thought it could have worked, but overall, I think what Google was trying to do wasn’t executed the way the company wanted.
Trevor Noah vs. Google
(Image credit: Google)
The whole point of a lifestyle show catered to consumers was to communicate how amazing Pixels are. And they are! In my hands-on with the Pixel 11 series, I wrote that the company has actually upped the game for AI on smartphones.
And asking Trevor Noah to host could have been a smart move.
But the whole show was a cringe fest. And I think it’s because you’re watching someone like Noah, who is super casual, a comedian who knows how to host a show, next to someone from Google who was clearly PR trained and was given a very specific script to follow.
Noah seemed bored, and at times seemed very uninterested in wanting to be there. He even tried to make a very obvious dick joke that clearly wasn’t well received by the Google product expert who was talking with him. The audience did laugh, though (and so did I).
What was Google trying to do with this event?
(Image credit: Google)
I think this show was a very obvious move by Google. It was a way to connect with consumers and help them understand their phones and what the new devices can do.
Traditionally, launch shows are hosted mostly to present to developers, tech enthusiasts, bloggers, influencers, and the media. And the message is then disseminated to the rest of the world through articles, photos, interviews, etc.
We’ve seen these shows evolve to something more spectacular, with special guests, celebrities, and even athletes to show off how they use these phones — all an effort to better connect with consumers. Because at the end of the day, that’s the biggest challenge for any tech company: How do you connect people with your product so they will buy it?
Last year was the first time that Google went completely out of the box, and to be fair, the company put on a pretty cool show. Jimmy Fallon hosted, and everything was pretty exciting… and it made sense because it was 10 years of the Pixel. So doing something spectacular was logical.
(Image credit: Google)
And I would have been completely fine if Google wanted to do the same thing again this year. What really threw me for a loop was the decision to host the show… eight hours after the phones were announced and made public.
At that point you’ve completely lost the audience. Consumers already know about the phones; they are reading our articles, they’re looking at what influencers are posting, and they have no real reason to go to a show, even one hosted by Trevor Noah.
While it makes sense to stream the event on YouTube, since Google controls the platform, a better move would have been to partner with a streaming service such as Netflix or Paramount Plus. An example of a showcase like this is Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look, premiering on Netflix later this month, showing that this is clearly an avenue other companies are exploring to showcase new and upcoming launches.
It could even have been something short-lived, like WWE’s annual WrestleMania, which is now streamed on Netflix. And it could have been titled “Trevor Noah presents … the Google Pixel 11.”
The best parts of the show
(Image credit: Google)
For me, when Joël Yawili, a Senior Product Manager at Google, came on the show, there was a visible positive shift in the conversation. At first, Noah once again came across as uninterested and even said, “another demo,” almost as if he were really bored.
But when Yawili began to speak, he didn’t start with a script. He decided to shift the focus to a genuine connection he seemed to have with Noah: They grew up in the same town, it turns out. It also helped that Yawili seemed to genuinely care about the product he’s worked on. The entire interaction and demo truly made me smile.
I also loved how, in Yawili’s demonstration, he brought in a text conversation he was having with his mother, and the way he did it was so casual that it made me want to keep watching.
(Image credit: Google)
The second time the show hit for me was when Google showed off its new Sign-to-Text feature. Watching how it was demonstrated was fascinating, and the two individuals on stage really seemed interested in what they were doing and how this should have a huge impact on many people in the hard-of-hearing and -speaking community.
(Image credit: Google)
I’ll end this by saying I don’t think Google did a bad job; I just think it wasn’t thoroughly thought out. I think the show could have been executed a bit differently, and I think it shouldn’t have been done eight hours after the products were announced.
Google was doing the right thing by wanting to connect with consumers, and I think it can — just with a few tweaks. Are there patches for a live event?
