Earlier today, Google surprised us all by confirming that Gemini Nano support (i.e. on-device generative AI features) is coming to the Pixel 8 after previously saying it would only come to the Pixel 8 Pro. That announcement came during an episode of the Made by Google podcast. But that’s not the only thing Google divulged during the episode (h/t 9to5Google).
Seang Chau, vice president of Google, spoke at length about various aspects of the Pixel ecosystem. One piece of information released was related to one of the biggest news with the launch of the Pixel 8 series, which was that Google would support them for a full seven years. It turns out that choosing seven years was not arbitrary. It was actually a deliberate choice based on, of all things, the first Google Pixel. Here is Chau:
So when we looked at the trajectory of where the original Pixel that we launched in 2016 landed and how many people were still using the first Pixel, we saw that there’s actually a pretty good active user base up until probably around seven years. So if we think, okay, we want to be able to support the Pixel for as long as people use the device, then seven years is about the right number.
Doing the math, that means a large enough group of people were using the original Pixel until last year. However, this could be an anomaly because the original Pixel still supports unlimited photo and video uploads to Google Photos. There are many people who use the Pixel as a kind of “server”, uploading all their photos and videos through it so as not to affect the Google Photos storage limit. The OG Pixel will most likely always be in use.
Still, Chau also explained how Google was able to make such a broad commitment. Unsurprisingly, it all comes down mainly to Tensor, Google’s self-designed mobile chipset. Chau said, “The SoC creates probably the most complexity when we talk about software updates,” and the team needed to make sure their “labs are equipped to do…continuous testing.” Chau also emphasized that partnerships with carriers, vendors, and the Android team as a whole were necessary.
Unfortunately, Chau did not provide any information on whether other Pixels, beyond the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, would see extensions to the previous five- and three-year upgrade commitments. We’ll have to wait and see that.
