As any follower of the digital world’s quest for the next big thing in convenience knows, Google’s latest flagship – the Pixel 9 – is an incredible piece of tech. Its 12GB RAM (12!) is second only to Sammy’s upcoming Galaxy S24 Ultra and the new Gemini AI tools are a true marvel of engineering, not to mention the vibrancy of its wonderful picture-producing display. It is truly a thing of tech behemoth beauty. The born leader of innovation, baby. So, you can imagine the techies’ collective sigh of disappointment when they stumbled upon the Pixel 9’s miscalculation on the use of wireless charging technology.
Wireless charging is one of the many features that have made mobile technology so convenient. The difference between the older Qi charging standard and Qi2, the new charging standard that allows us to charge faster with MagSafe tech and accessories, should warrant a deep dive. After all, all we want our new devices to do is work better. And we certainly don’t want Google to disappoint. Now that it has stuck with Qi charging technology, why didn’t it just switch to the next-generation charging standard?
When Android Authority asked why Google had skipped Qi2 and was sticking with Qi, the company’s response was a little baffling: Qi-compatible chargers are already widely available (and Qi2 chargers have not shown any tangible user benefits over Qi ones).Anyway, there’s another explanation for Google’s apparent conservatism: when something already works just fine for the majority, why even consider change? Being in the market for longer than Qi2 allows Qi chargers to exist at the same order of ubiquity. But, it seems, this point misses out on the features and functions of Qi2 such as the magnetic array – a feature that allows Qi2 chargers to be attached to pop-sockets and camera phone tripods.
Despite all the merits of Qi2, there could be more to Google’s decision than first meets the eye, as it is still a new tech introduced in late 2023, and the Pixel 9 development cycle might not have allowed for its inclusion. And in the world of tech, where early adoption is common and can sometimes be risky, Google could be taking a wait-and-see approach rather than making a mistake, just as Samsung has done. Google is unlikely to lose many customers over not using Qi2, either. Instead, it leaves Google in a position of waiting to see how magnetic technology unfolds, and choosing the right time to adopt.
While the world awaits the next instalment in the Google Pixel 9 story, eyes turn to a possible tale of Qi2 adoption for the Google Pixel 10. With any luck we’ll see Google continue to prioritise innovation that respects the wants and needs of human users.
Should you get a Google Pixel 9 or the Google Pixel 9 Pro? They’re both impressive pieces of kit, but one has a better camera, or more RAM, or works better with the latest Qi standard of wireless charging, or… Well, yeah. You get the picture.
Of course, it’s not just the Pixel 9. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is Google’s wearables stronghold. And the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are Google’s stake in the audio landscape. It’s clear that each product – with its individual features – has been created under one guiding principle: to seamlessly optimise one’s experience in the digital world. It’s making that tech experience convenient, within reach, and cutting-edge.
From developing the Google search engine, to creating Android mobile operating systems, to crafting consumer technology products such as the Pixel series, the tech giant has shown a commitment to constantly pushing the limits of innovation and user experience. Courtesy GoogleWhat stands behind all of these products and services is the company’s determination to make technology an integral part of life. But how is Google to decide between gadgets like the Google Pixel 9? When it creates a new device, should it be flooded with the very latest technologies it can get its hands on – even if it doesn’t work reliably or is not available to everyone? The debate over the Qi versus Qi2 charging standards in the Pixel 9 is only one snapshot of this debate about how to move forward in a rapidly changing tech landscape. And where does Google head from here? Just as with the Nexus, Google’s initial dive into new categories is something we’ll be watching and speculating on with glee – not just this year, but for the foreseeable future. The Pixel line is only the start of how Google plans to expand its presence further into the world of consumer gadgets.
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