Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast
Episode: "The Pixel 10 Event: The Good, the Bad, the Jimmy Fallon"
Date: August 22, 2025
Hosts: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), Andrew Marino, David Imel, Ellis Roven, Mariah Zank
Network: Vox Media
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into Google's heavily publicized but controversial Pixel 10 launch event—an event as memorable for its tech news as for its celebrity-packed, talk show-style presentation hosted by Jimmy Fallon. The hosts break down new Pixel hardware, software, live AI demos, and discuss Google’s unusual approach to reaching a mainstream audience. They also provide hands-on impressions, share memorable quotes, and critique the spectacle and substance of the event.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Post-Event Reactions and Critique
[01:12–06:56]
- The Pixel event was "pretty brutal" in presentation—like a mashup between a late night show, morning talk show, Super Smash Bros. cutscene, and QVC infomercial.
- The team jokes, "We are the Google event now!" voicing frustration at the event's lack of focus on actual products.
- Quote:
“This was a phone announcement event masquerading as an infomercial, masquerading as organic celebrities hanging out…”
— Marques [17:38]
2. Pixel 10 Hardware Breakdown
[07:10–15:04]
-
Models: Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold.
-
Pricing: Same as last year; “not that much is actually different.”
-
Hardware Changes:
- All models get Qi2 wireless charging with “Pixel Snap”—a system of strong magnets (similar to MagSafe) compatible with new accessories.
- Improved durability on the Fold (now IP68).
- New Tensor 5 chip (“not Snapdragon 8 elite level”—Marques).
- Small battery, display, and camera updates.
-
Identifying Differences:
- Most value for money is the base Pixel 10.
- Triple cameras now base across the line.
- Pro models have enhanced zoom (up to 100x w/ AI upscaling), more RAM, higher storage, and better (48MP) selfie cams.
- XL offers bigger battery, screen, and slightly faster charging.
-
Quote:
“If you were hoping for 100 watt charging or a 100MP camera… it’s not.”
— Marques [09:57]
3. Pixel Fold Updates
[13:11–15:04]
- Almost identical to last year, but hinge and bezel improvements.
- Pixel Snap and Qi2 added.
- Magnet demo noted for stability.
- New camera app features: instant shot stacking, drag-and-drop images (in beta), more multitasking.
- “Made You Look” face animation feature for kids returns, now expanded.
4. The Event’s Star Power and Strategy
[15:04–18:44]
- Jimmy Fallon hosted with numerous celebrities (Steph Curry, Jonas Brothers, Giannis, YouTubers, Peloton instructors).
- Google’s aim: target “the normies”—standard consumers outside the tech bubble.
- Hosts question the effectiveness:
- “I don’t think that worked.”
- Celebrity presence likely more about generating social media buzz with influencer posts than converting viewers directly.
- Quote:
“They should’ve just spent the money on 15 minutes of Taylor Swift.”
— David [17:12]
5. Live Demos & AI Features in Spotlight
[18:17–21:03]
-
Live phone call translation demo “went pretty well” (with minor hiccups and a memorable odd translation: “I am a crazy person.”).
-
Impressive live AI voice cloning (“within two seconds of your voice”).
-
Discussion around privacy and deep Google data integration.
-
Quote:
“It is impressive that they’re able to generate an AI voice of you within two seconds.”
— David [18:41]
6. Pixel 10 Software: Major AI & Convenience Features
[28:41–40:53]
Magic Q
- Pixel 10–exclusive at launch.
- Surfaces context-relevant replies (flight info, calendar, reservations) in messaging and phone apps.
- Concerns about accuracy if multiple matching reservations exist.
- Likely to roll out to more Google devices.
Conversational Editing
- Edit photos via text prompt/chat box (e.g., “make dress red,” “remove plastic bag”).
- Very effective and user-friendly—”You can get kind of carried away and just be like, add a hot air balloon…” (Marques [35:32]).
- Does not alter faces (for privacy/ethics).
Camera Coach
- Gemini-powered live photo tips (“Turn left”, “Straighten the horizon”).
- Hosts skeptical on real-world usefulness (“This is the feature for boomers, for sure.” — Andrew [37:38]).
Best Take & Add Me
- Enhanced selection of group/pet/smiling photos; “Add Me” now supports pets.
Content Credentials
- First phone to int**egrate "Content Credentials" metadata trail on all AI-edited images—important for transparency and authenticity.
- Quote:
“There is a metadata history of every edit that has been made to the image.”
— David [41:12]
Visual Voicemail Upgrades
- Transcribes voicemails and integrates them into messaging.
Preinstalled Notebook LM
- Google’s Notebook LM AI app now bundled (“another little piece of bloatware for you”—Marques [42:18]).
Pixel Journal App
- Seemingly a response to Apple’s journal, with privacy claims ("no data collected").
- Hosts speculate about data collection and “walled-garden” retention strategies.
7. Pixel Watch 4 and Buds 2a
[48:16–54:53]
-
Pixel Watch 4
- Slight hardware improvements: battery life (now 40 hours), faster charging, even more domed display, slimmer bezels.
- New sideways dock/charger, always-on nightstand clock.
- Gemini everywhere: Raise-to-talk for AI assistant; cloud reliant, no on-device Nano model.
- SOS Satellite access (like iPhone), Fitbit coach integration.
- Hosts perceive it as a nice update but not compelling enough for existing users to upgrade immediately.
-
Quote:
“It looks like a bubble. More than ever now.”
— Marques [49:44] -
Pixel Buds 2a
- $130, ANC, smaller, Gemini built-in.
8. Meta, AR Glasses, & Broader Tech News
[61:33–67:07]
- Meta readying $800 AR glasses (Hypernova), undercutting Apple and previous Google Glass.
- Google AR glasses coming “soon”; demos received positively by Marques.
- Apple’s patent workaround to keep blood oxygen sensors (calculating data on the phone, not watch).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Hardware Naming:
"Lots of really great names, easy names."
— Marques, sarcastically [07:28] -
On Event Style:
"It was a combination of a late night show, a morning talk show, and like the Super Smash Brothers, everyone is here intro cutscene, and an infomercial."
— David [07:00] -
On Demo Fears:
"Having seen that demo in person fail many times...I was watching that intently, like this could go horribly..."
— Marques [18:10] -
On AI-Powered Photos:
"Every photo they take that they care about, they just say ‘make this look better’ to every photo.”
— David [36:18] -
On the Watch's Domed Design:
"It's like a bubble screen. It almost looks like the surface tension of, like, you fill a glass all the way up with water, and then it's bubbling over the top."
— Marques [49:25] -
On Google’s Event Investment:
"They could have spent all that money on 15 minutes of Taylor Swift and probably would have had better conversion."
— David [17:12]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|------------| | The event’s style and opening reactions | 01:12–07:00| | Pixel 10 hardware overview | 07:10–15:04| | Pixel Fold and accessories | 13:11–15:04| | Celebrity approach of the event | 15:04–18:44| | Memorable live AI/translation demos | 18:17–21:03| | Software highlights (Magic Q, Conversational Editing) | 28:41–40:53| | Pixel Watch 4 and Buds 2a review | 48:16–54:53| | Meta/AR glasses, Apple watch patent drama | 61:33–67:07|
Tone and Style
- Laid-back, playful banter: Tech analysis is approachable and often irreverent.
- Highly knowledgeable deep-dives, technical assessments, and references to personal hands-on experiences.
- Frequent in-jokes about Google, Apple, and event marketing excesses.
- Honest about both excitement and skepticism toward new features.
Conclusion
This episode of Waveform provides a thorough, entertaining, and critical debrief of the Google Pixel 10 event—balancing skeptical humor about the event’s format with genuine intrigue for product updates and AI-powered features. The hosts make it clear: while Google’s hardware refinements are minor, new integrations like Pixel Snap, Magic Q, conversational photo editing, and real-world AI demos stand out. However, Google’s attempt to court the mainstream with star power may have missed the mark.
For listeners wanting clear, hands-on analysis of what’s new (and what’s not) with the Pixel 10 ecosystem—and musings on where tech launches are headed—this episode delivers.