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Google's Grand Experiment: From Energy to Ecosystem—A 13-Year Observation
Thirteen years ago, as a GeekSquad Advanced Repair Agent, I saw Chromebooks for what they were: cheap, $200 laptops with a measly 16GB of storage. Thin clients, the IT crowd called them. I called them underwhelming. Many other’s thought the same. Back then, Google’s cloud ambitions manifested as these bare-bones machines—a far cry from the integrated ecosystems I was used to, dominated by Macs and PCs. I knew Google made Android and those software services—Search, Docs, Sheets, Slides—they were fine. But the big picture? I missed it. Google didn’t build hardware like Apple did. To me, they were just… energy. Pure potential, no form. Steve Jobs said computers are a bicycle for the mind. Google was the kinetic energy pushing the bike, not the bike itself. In this analysis, I want to trace Google’s evolution from that pure energy to a company building the bike, the road, the pedals—even the rider.
The shift in my perspective came when I grasped the consumer side of cloud computing—servers, racks, the whole ‘someone else’s computer’ spiel. Suddenly, Chromebooks started to make sense. Cost-effective, they said. All the heavy lifting on Google’s servers, they said. Naïve as I was, I hadn’t yet fully registered Google’s underlying ad-driven empire, the real reason behind the Chromebook push. That revelation led me to a stint as a regional Chromebook rep. A role masquerading as tech, but really, it was sales with a side of jargon. The training retreat? Let’s call it an indoctrination session. The ‘Moonshot Thinking’ video from Google [X]—all inspiration, no product—was the hook. Suddenly, streaming movies and collaborative docs weren’t just features, they were visions. ‘Moonshot thinking,’ I told myself, swallowing the Kool-Aid. Cloud computing, in that moment, seemed revolutionary. I even had ‘office hours’ with Docs project managers, peppering them with questions about real-time collaboration. ‘What if someone pastes the same URL?’ I asked, probably driving them nuts. But I was hooked. Cloud computing, I thought, was the future—or so they wanted me to believe.
That journey, from wide-eyed newbie to… well, slightly less wide-eyed observer, has taught me one thing: Google’s Achilles' heel is execution. They’ve got the vision, the talent, the sheer audacity—but putting it all together? That’s where they stumble. Only in the last three years have they even attempted to wrangle their disparate hardware, software, cloud, and AI efforts into a coherent whole. Too little, too late? Perhaps. Look at the Pixel team: a frantic scramble to catch up, complete with a Jobsian purge of the ‘unpassionate.' Rick Osterloh, a charming and knowledgeable figurehead, no doubt—but is he a ruthless enough leader? That’s the question. He’s managed to corral the Platform and Services division. Yet, the ecosystem still feels… scattered. The Pixel hardware, for all its promise, still reeks of a ‘side project’—a lavish, expensive, and perpetually unfinished side project. The pieces are there, scattered across the table. Can Google finally assemble the puzzle, or will they forever be a company of impressive parts, but no cohesive whole?
After over a decade of observing Google’s trajectory, certain patterns emerge. Chromebooks (bless their budget-friendly hearts), for instance, have settled comfortably into the budget lane: affordable laptops for grade schoolers and retirees. Hardly the ‘sexy’ category Apple’s M-series or those Windows CoPilot ARM machines occupy, is it? Google’s Nest, meanwhile, envisioned ambient computing years ago. Yet, Amazon’s Alexa+ seems to be delivering on that promise while Google’s vision gathers dust. And let’s talk apps: Google’s own, some of the most popular on both Android and iOS, often perform better on iOS. Yes, that’s changing—slowly. And the messaging app graveyard? Overblown, some say. I say, try herding a family group chat through Google’s ever-shifting messaging landscape. Musical chairs, indeed. But, credit where it’s due, Google Messages is finally showing some long-term commitment. Perhaps the ghosts of Hangouts and Allo are finally resting in peace.
The long view, after thirteen years of observing Google’s sprawling ambitions, reveals a complex picture: immense potential, yet a frustrating pattern of fragmented execution. They’ve built impressive pieces—the AI, the cloud, the hardware—but the promised cohesive ecosystem has remained elusive. Whispers of “Pixel Sense,” Google’s rumored answer to true AI integration, offer a glimmer of hope. (And let’s be clear, these are just rumors—I’m not grading on a curve here.) But, after years of watching disjointed efforts, I find myself cautiously optimistic about the direction Rick Osterloh (knowledgeable, and, some might say, charming) and his newly unified Platform and Services division are taking. There’s a sense that, finally, the pieces might be coming together. The vision of a seamlessly integrated Google experience—hardware, software, AI, and cloud—is tantalizingly close. Will they finally deliver? Or will Google continue to be a company of impressive tech demos and unfulfilled promises? Time will tell. But for the first time in a long time, I’m willing to entertain the possibility that Google might just pull it off.
Pixel 10 Leaks
Pixel 10 series leaks are here, brought us by @OnLeaks on behalf of Android Headlines:
The Pixel 10 series will be the first to use the new Tensor G5 which is expected to be manufactured by TSMC. Google had previously been using Samsung Foundry to manufacture their chipsets for Pixel, and it showed. Google had problems with overheating, the processor was pretty slow, and the modem was bad too. However, Google did fix the modem and mostly fixed the overheating issues with the Tensor G4 on the Pixel 9 series.
We are expecting some big gains in terms of performance on the Tensor G5, however, we also have to keep in mind that this chipset is being built specifically for the Pixel. Google is going to prefer AI performance over raw performance.
The Tensor G5 seems to be the main focus on the Pixel 10 this year. Since the external design doesn’t seem to be changing much, besides adding an additional speaker grill to the bottom of the device shown in the CAD renders, internal hardware, performance, and software could be where we get the most refinement. I’m perfectly fine with Google not changing the design this year. If the Pixel 9 is the design they’ll sit on for a couple of year (read as 3), I’m happy with that. Pixel 9 series is beautiful.
However, I had a conversation with one of my IRL friends about some nice things Google should add to the Pixel 10. I’d welcome all of them as long as it doesn’t raise the price by much. Maybe $50 would let me depart with my hard-earned money. Anything north of that, I might be holding onto my Pixel 9 Pro.
Google Store Oakbrook Customer Service
A fellow Pixel Superfan had a great experience at the Oakbrook Google Store and he thought he’d share:
Just thought it worth sharing, my mom’s
Pixel 7awas having battery issues, I did a chat with support where they told me it wasn’t under warranty, went to the store and they did a special warranty replacement given the battery issues that you can find all over the web. 2 hrs later resolved. Especially great considering she got this phone on my family’sFiplan with a promo that is still on going for2yrs.While there they also fixed my charging issue on my
Pixel 5by using effectively a dentist/surgical pick to pull the pile of lint out.Just thought the good service was worth sharing with the community. ❤️
It’s nice hearing success stories like this. Especially when the Google Store employees go above and beyond what is even asked of them. I hear this happens a lot. It makes people want to go into the store’s instead of dealing with a contractor online. Still, Google’s been doing a much better job at resolving issues at third-party repair shops as well.
Material You and i...OS
Reports are that Apple is bringing a radically new design to iOS with iOS 19.
Mark Gurman, on Bloomberg’s Power Up
“The revamp — due later this year — will fundamentally change the look of the operating systems and make Apple’s various software platforms more consistent, according to people familiar with the effort. That includes updating the style of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons.
As part of the push, the company is working to simplify the way users navigate and control their devices, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the project hasn’t been announced. The design is loosely based on the Vision Pro’s software”
Designer Eli Johnson made a brilliant concept of what that iOS redesign could look like based off of the design of the current Apple Photos, Sports, and Invites app that was recently released. Even Jon Prosser, popular Apple leaker, on Front Page Tech leaked a vision of what he saw as the new Camera app design on iOS 19.
Personally, I welcome it and I’m looking forward to this new era of UI from Apple because it’s a long time coming.
Since I’ve been working on my own app for Android, I’ve been paying more attention to the front end app designs. I’m sure it’s not a surprise, but though I do like Apple’s new glass-like visionOS and what Apple plans to do with their OSes across the Apple space, I’ve realized how much I enjoy Google’s joyful and human Material Design.
Aside from material design not compromising form or function, it just feels more joyful and human to use compared to Apple’s more cold, yet utopian sci-fi leaning design.
Siri, You're Breaking Our Hearts (and Our Settings)
It seems Apple’s AI woes continue. Just when we thought things couldn’t get more embarrassing than delaying “Apple Intelligence,” we get this gem. John Gruber, over on Mastodon, shared a screenshot of his recent conversation with Siri, and let’s just say it’s not a good look:
MacOS 15.3.1. Asked Siri “How do you turn off suggestions in Messages?”
Siri responds with instructions that:
(a) Tell me to go to a System Settings panel that doesn’t exist. There is no “Siri & Spotlight”. There is “Apple Intelligence & Siri" and a separate one for “Spotlight”.
(b) Are for Mail, not Messages, even though I asked about Messages, and Siri’s own response starts with “To turn off Siri suggestions in Messages”
Gruber simply asked Siri how to turn off suggestions in Messages on his MacOS 15.3.1. Siri, in its infinite wisdom, first sent him on a wild goose chase to a non-existent “Siri & Spotlight” panel in System Settings. Then, it proceeded to give him instructions for Mail, not Messages!
This is beyond a simple bug; it’s a fundamental failure in understanding basic user requests. And remember, this is the same Siri that Apple wants us to believe is the foundation for their upcoming “Apple Intelligence” revolution.
Gruber himself pointed out the irony, highlighting how Apple touted “product knowledge” as a key feature of their AI, yet Siri can’t even navigate its own settings.
“Product knowledge” is one of the Apple Intelligence Siri features that, in its statement yesterday, Apple touted as a success. But what I asked here is a very simple question, about an Apple Intelligence feature in one of Apple’s most-used apps, and it turns out Siri doesn’t even know the names of its own settings panels.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Apple’s AI ambitions have outpaced their reality. This latest Siri stumble, coupled with the “Apple Intelligence” delay, paints a picture of a company struggling to keep up in the AI race.
Perhaps it’s time for Apple to take a step back, focus on getting the basics right, and then, maybe then, they can start talking about revolutionizing our AI experience.
Bluesky's 2025 AT Protocol Roadmap: Enhanced Privacy and Developer Tools
Bluesky has just unveiled its 2025 roadmap for the AT Protocol, outlining some pretty significant changes aimed at making the platform smoother and more secure. Essentially, they’re fine-tuning the entire system. A key focus is on streamlining data synchronization with the Sync v1.1 update, which will make running relays more efficient and clarify the process for validating the firehose. Think of it as optimizing the backbone of the network, ensuring everything runs smoothly. As someone who’s been exploring both AT Protocol and ActivityPub clients, I’m particularly interested in seeing how these improvements will help bridge the gap towards a truly functional fediverse. Currently, ActivityPub boasts a larger ecosystem of clients and more established connectivity.
Security is also a major priority, with the introduction of Auth Scopes. This feature will give users much more granular control over app permissions. For example, you’ll be able to allow an app to read your posts without granting access to your direct messages. It’s about putting you firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to your data. Developers are getting some love too, with a new web interface for PDS account management. This will simplify the process of building apps on the AT Protocol, making it easier for new users to sign up and manage their accounts.
Bluesky is also prioritizing the development of features for private groups and encrypted messages. They’re aiming to enable users to share content with specific audiences and keep it truly private, addressing a major demand for enhanced privacy. They’re also cleaning up the protocol by deprecating older features, ensuring everyone is using the latest and most efficient tools.
We believe that robust support for group-private data will be necessary for the long-term success of the protocol (and for apps built on the protocol). Similarly, the ability to share private content with a specific group or audience continues to be a top feature request for both the AT Protocol and the Bluesky app. Just as we’re currently doing with public conversation on the Bluesky app and the AT Protocol, we also want to co-design the protocol specification for private data in tandem with specific real-world product features: this results in better outcomes for both. Designing for privacy is pretty different from designing for global broadcast, and we think the data architecture will probably look pretty different from the MST + firehose system.
Shared data will depend on Auth Scopes, and we don’t expect to start design work until that is complete.
Looking forward, we continue to have plans to implement on-protocol DMs and E2EE group chat. However, we don’t expect to start work on this until after shared data is implemented. Meanwhile, there has been exciting progress in the broader tech world around the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard, and we are optimistic that we will be able to build on reusable components and design patterns when the time comes. It is also possible (and exciting!) that the atproto dev community will experiment and build E2EE chat apps off-protocol before there is an official specification.
The AT Protocol community continues to grow rapidly, and Bluesky encourages everyone to get involved through GitHub discussions and community events. It’s a collaborative effort, and the company is clearly committed to building a robust and user-friendly decentralized social network. I’m keen to see if these updates will allow the AT Protocol to catch up to ActivityPub’s current strengths in client diversity and network connectivity.
Mark Gurman Exposes Apple Intelligence Delay: My Relief and Google's Gain
If I had purchased the iPhone 16 like I had planned on after seeing what Apple teased with Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024, I’d be furious. Mark Gurman has the scoop on Apple’s upgraded Siri experience and it’s not good:
Apple Inc.’s turmoil in its AI division reached new heights on Friday, with the company delaying promised updates to the Siri digital assistant for the foreseeable future.
Apple said that features introduced last June, including Siri’s ability to tap into a user’s personal information to answer queries and have more precise control over apps, will now be released sometime in “the coming year.” The iPhone maker hadn’t previously set a public deadline for the capabilities, but they were initially planned for the iOS 18.4 software update this April.
Bloomberg News reported on Feb. 14 that Apple was struggling to finish developing the features and the enhancements would be postponed until at least May — when iOS 18.5 is due to arrive. Since then, Apple engineers have been racing to fix a rash of bugs in the project. The work has been unsuccessful, according to people involved in the efforts, and they now believe the features won’t be released until next year at the earliest.
Apple has reached a new low. Expectations are high for Apple because they made their bed by showcasing such a future forward AI experience at their annual WWDC event last year. Honestly, as I wrote that, I realized that’s not even the main issue. This is the main issue…
Apple, with its ‘crack marketing team’ as deemed by Craig Federighi, created this impressive ad. The problem? None of these features exist. The upgraded personal Siri, capable of providing helpful on-device information in a manner similar to Gemini or ChatGPT, is not yet available. I nearly purchased an iPhone 16, hoping this feature would be available by the end of 2024. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, and I’m sure many people, unaware of the feature’s delay, purchased the iPhone 16 expecting these features. Apple is one of the few tech companies that can release a product with delayed features without widespread customer backlash on platforms like Reddit or device returns. Consumers invest significant money in these devices, and I believe they are beginning to realize Apple is not immune to such issues. I used to believe Apple would only announce features ready for immediate and complete delivery. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. This time, I avoided being fooled, thanks to Mark Gurman’s reporting on Apple Intelligence.
Just to provide some visual context on the disconnect between Apple marketing and the reality of Apple AI. This TV ad for Apple Intelligence was released 5 months ago. It still cannot do what is shown here. https://t.co/uC2qmHaVpe
— Mark Gurman (markgurman) March 2, 2025
In the meantime, I’m glad I stuck with Team Pixel and I’m looking forward to the continuation of Google’s Gemini advancements and the rumored on-device (Apple Intelligence-esque) “Pixel Sense” and “Pixie”.
The Human Touch: How Google's Design Got Personal
You know, it’s been really interesting to watch how Google’s design has evolved over the years. They’ve gone from playing it safe to really embracing their own unique style, and it’s made a huge difference in how people experience their products. It’s like they’re constantly trying to find that sweet spot between form and function, and it’s been quite a journey to watch. As Ivy Ross, Google’s Head of Hardware Design, put it:
‘How do you translate the sentiment associated with Google—human, optimistic, bold–into color, texture and form?’ That’s exactly what they’ve been doing, and I think it’s really resonating with people."
I mean, think about those early Pixel phones. They were fine, but they didn’t exactly scream “Google.” But now, with the bold colors, playful accents, and those smooth, organic shapes, you can’t mistake a Google product for anything else. And it’s not just about the looks. Google’s design is all about making technology feel more human, more approachable. Those fabric-covered Nest speakers? They’re like a warm hug for your living room. The Pixel Watch, with its gentle curves and that water-droplet inspiration? It’s like a natural extension of your wrist. And don’t even get me started on the Pixel Buds case – it’s so satisfying to hold, like a perfectly smooth pebble.
But here’s the thing: Google isn’t just following trends. While other companies are obsessed with making phones as thin as possible, Google’s focused on making them as useful and enjoyable as possible. And you know what? It’s working. The Pixel Pro and the Pixel Fold are proof that you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for style. So what’s next for Google’s design? I think we’ll see them continue to blur the lines between technology and everyday life, creating products that feel less like gadgets and more like natural extensions of ourselves.
And honestly, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. It’s clear that Google is committed to creating technology that not only serves a purpose but also sparks joy and feels like a natural extension of our lives. That’s a design philosophy I can definitely get behind.
Clicks for Pixel: The Keyboard is Back!
Remember the satisfying click-clack of a physical keyboard? Clicks for Pixel brings it back to your Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 9!
Jeff, co-founder and CMO of Clicks, shows off this innovative enclosure made of durable thermoplastic or TPU, with a flexible top for easy phone insertion. It features a brushed metal side key, contoured polycarbonate keys with a backlight, and nickel-plated dome switches for that perfect tactile and auditory click.
Available in “Onyx” and the special edition “Surge”, which is a MrMobile exclusive. Jeff exclaims that once the Surge color way sells out, they won’t be making anymore so it sounds like that’s the one to buy. In the video, Jeff shows some of his favorite Android built-in keyboard shortcuts that I cant wait to try when I get my hands on my own.
Mine should be here by April, but I’m hoping to get a few promo codes for you all reading my blog to jump in on this nostalgic keyboard kick.
Are the Android Team Looking Into Adding Stackable Widgets to AOSP?
André Labonté, Project Manager on the Material Design team, directly answers this question:
“Stackable widgets are possible on some Android manufacturer’s devices and this is something we are looking into for AOSP. We getting this request a lot. So stay tuned. We aren’t committed to this yet, but keep asking and we’ll work on it.
OnePlus and Samsung are the Android manufacturer’s that André was mainly referring to, but there are many more across the eastern hemisphere. Having it built directly into AOSP would not only make it available for Google Pixel, but it would free up Android developers from these manufacturers to work on other things. The pipeline seems to be that when things that were once only available on al specific manufacturer devices become available across all of Android, those same manufacturers find something else to be a catalyst differentiator among devices. It’s a health progression.
I’ve been using stackable widgets on my Pixel through the Smart Launcher and it’s been pretty great. I can see the appeal, especially since the general philosophy over widgets is to be an app instance that does one thing really well instead of something that is a full window into the app. Though iOS birthed this new resurgence for widget design, Android continues to provide better functionality and practically on having widgets on the home screen. Soon widgets will be on the lockscreen on mobile.
