Google Suggests iOS 26 Mimics Android Pixel's Established Features
Google has reignited the age-old debate about technological innovation with a new ad campaign that humorously suggests Apple's iOS 26 incorporates features already available on Google's Pixel phones. The ad, part of the ongoing #BestPhonesForever series, depicts an iPhone and a Pixel 9 Pro engaging in a playful podcast conversation, highlighting perceived similarities between their features.
In the advertisement, the iPhone proudly announces its new live translation capabilities for text messages. With a touch of irony, the Pixel 9 Pro responds that it has had that feature for four years, underscoring the notion that innovation sometimes follows a winding path, with one company perhaps drawing inspiration from another.
Moreover, the iPhone brings up Hold Assist and Call Screening, only for the Pixel phone to politely point out it also provided similar functions. As a matter of fact, Google introduced "Hold for Me" in 2020, and "Call Screening" in 2018.
In fact, Google's "Hold for Me" feature, launched on the Pixel 3, mirrors the Hold Assist functionality of iOS 26. It allows users to free themselves from the tedium of waiting on hold during phone calls. Similarly, Call Screening, which debuted on the Pixel 3, empowers users to filter unwanted calls, avoiding potential scams and nuisances.
While Google's argument is not without merit, the effectiveness of the advertisement remains a matter of perspective. It is a reminder that technological progress is rarely a one-way street, and companies often learn from one another in the quest to create the best possible user experience. In this complex technological landscape, the line between inspiration and imitation can often be blurred.
Source: Mac Rumors