This first generation of Pixel established much of what defines it today: the revolutionary AI-powered camera, helpful (and excluding) software features and a deeply personal Google experience.
“From day one, Pixel’s mission has been to bring the best out of Google to users,” says Peter Prunuske, Senior Director of Product Management for Pixel.
Since the first launch of 2016, we have released dozens of models, including regular Pixel phones, larger XL models, one-series devices and advanced foldable A-series and advanced folded. “It has been an almost decade -long journey with a key goal: to gather the best of Google’s software, hardware and AI to create the best possible experience for users,” says Shakil Barkat, VP for Devices and Services at Google.
“Pixel has been the place where we debuted lots of our most popular features over the years, such as Night Sight, Car Crash Detection, Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser and more,” says Shenaz Zack, Senior Director of Product Management for Pixel Software. She says some of the team’s earliest projects focused on supporting backup and recovering features across Google Apps, so it would be painless for people who switch to Pixel. There was also the top shot feature in the Pixel Camera app and Google Photos. “Our goal was to make sure any part of the phone offered the best of Google in his pocket,” says Shenaz. “And we will continue to do so with each new model and every new pixel drop.”
A bar, a chip and a big step up
An important focus of Pixel since the beginning has been the close bond between our hardware, software and services. Each time part of the pixel is improved – when the camera’s hardware is upgraded, for example, the new paths open to software features, such as the popular astrophotographic mode. Over the years, hardware, software and service teams become better and better at building the pieces that make up pixels and do it together.
While early generations of the pixel introduced new features, we have been loved (as IP67 water resistance with Pixel 2 and the other Tele camera lens with Pixel 4) Pixel 6 generation of devices was a turning point. It marked the debut of several major additions to the Pixel line: the now iconic camera line that gave our devices a coherent visual identity centered on our best-in-class-winning camera; And our first “pro” phone that reflects the more premium devices that our hardware team was able to produce.