Whereas Google took 2025 to arrange the stage for individuals to care about AI, in 2026, the corporate must harness the momentum and seal the deal. Subsequent 12 months will have to be the 12 months Google makes individuals care about AI once they’re shopping for a brand new telephone.
And whereas it’s not all about AI, it’s going to be what Google must depend on to push the needle on smartphones, which seemingly have gotten boring by the 12 months, with nothing to essentially excite lots of people.
2026: the 12 months AI turns into ubiquitous and accessible
I’m saying it now, however Google will fail if it takes 20 years to place Gemini as a unified expertise that can energy AI throughout all platforms because it did with Google Workspace.
Whereas Google Workspace might be the most well-liked and most used workplace suite, it took the corporate actually 20 years to have one thing completely flushed out, unified, and excellent to compete with the likes of Microsoft Workplace.
Granted, Google was good to supply Docs, Gmail, and plenty of apps proper off the bat for use throughout completely different platforms, however it wasn’t till 2016 that the corporate rebranded these choices into G Suite, later renaming it to Workspace.
It completely can’t try this with Gemini due to the stiff competitors on the market.
As Android Central contributor Brady Snyder writes, whereas ChatGPT has higher fashions, extra use circumstances, and superior model energy, Google’s Gemini has proven a powerful sense that the tide is popping. Gemini is the one chatbot that persistently positive factors net visitors, and now that Gemini 3 is out there, Google is taking inventive steps to fulfill the excellent demand.”
In 2026, Google wants, no sorry, HAS TO make Gemini ubiquitous and accessible.
As we start to see much less AI innovation because it finds its place, 2026 shall be about convincing folks that AI is right here to remain and is turning into a extra on a regular basis factor.
A brand new formfactor?
In 2026, I wish to see some progress inside Google’s {hardware} technique. We didn’t see a lot from the corporate in 2025 as a result of the main focus was setting its {hardware} up for AI success. However now it’s time to see some change. Dare I say it? We want a Pixel Flip!!!!
Whereas I perceive corporations have launched a fold as a result of the ROI is way higher for foldable telephones than what could be made out of the gross sales of a flip, there’s some advantage in reaching a big viewers and a flip telephone can try this. Flip telephones are cute, compact, straightforward to make use of, and user-friendly. There’s extra of a use case state of affairs for somebody to purchase a flip telephone than a fold.
I additionally problem Google to broaden its Google House suite of merchandise. Sure we’re getting a new Nest speaker in 2026, and it upgraded the Nest Thermostat in 2024, however I nonetheless don’t assume Google has discovered unifying it’s good house expertise but. And with a strong Gemini expertise and arrange, there’s no purpose why Google can’t do one thing about it.
Guardrails in place have to be robust
As I urge Google to make AI extra ubiquitous and accessible, I encourage that the corporate takes the severity of what AI can do to society extremely critically. And I do know that it’s.
This previous 12 months confirmed us that corporations are shelling cash into the quick manufacturing of AI, additionally it is exhibiting us the hazards that include the usage of AI. Earlier this summer time, dad and mom sued Open AI, alleging the corporate’s ChatGPT contributed to their teen’s suicide.
Tales like this makes my coronary heart ache. As a result of whereas I believe AI is mind-blowing, it’s in moments like these that I do know corporations like Google have to set people up for achievement reasonably than failure.
I wish to see the world proliferate due to AI, not be defeated. We noticed the rise of social media in 2007 and the autumn of social media in 2016. I do know we’re going to hear extra catastrophe tales come out of AI’s follies, however right here’s my please to you Google, let’s attempt to assist humankind succeed as a substitute of tearing it aside.
