Google’s Pixel Event Took Some Major Shots At Apple

After extolling the virtues of night sight and astrophotography mode, Rakowski moved to car crash detection, a feature that arrived on Pixels three years ago. Apple only introduced it with the iPhone 14 quartet and Apple Watch Series 8 last month. A lot of digital ink has been spilled ever since, and Apple also left no stone unturned to show how deeply it cares for the safety of its users, which is what triggers remarkable innovations like car crash detection. 

It’s ironic that Google led the way with tricks like crash detection, emergency calling, and safety check, but the features only became widespread once Apple did them in its own way later on. Of course, RCS had to enter the conversation, too, especially after the recent back-and-forth between Google and Apple over streamlining the messaging experience for every smartphone user. “RCS is the modern industry standard for messaging, and it’s already been adopted by most of the industry,” said the Google executive, but stopped short of namedropping Apple. The chuckles from the attendees, though, were quite telling.

Google’s team also made a point to brag about the seamless band and case connectivity for the Pixel Watch, taking another potshot at Apple and its eponymous smartwatch. However, Google missed the memo about using a 2018-era processor on the Pixel Watch and chunky bezels that are befitting for the tech industry’s own paleolithic age. But hey, if potshots like this can improve a product ecosystem, never stop, Google!