All the shots Google fired at Apple during the Pixel 6 event

If we look at Apple's marketing, one of the iPhone's biggest selling points nowadays are its privacy and security. So in its Pixel 6 presentation, Google was eager to reassure us that its phone is also super secure.

In fact, Google's Rick Osterloh called the Pixel 6 "a highest-rated phone for security, that keeps your information safe and private."

In addition, Google's Sabrina Ellis made a similarly grand statement about the Pixel 6's security:



This definitely sounds reassuring, and is a good way to remind Apple that it's not the only company that values user privacy and security. Or at least, not the only company that can boast about it.

But if we put on our shiny tin foil hats and start digging deep, Google is still one of the companies that has reportedly provided the NSA with a backdoor to every smartphone for the notorious PRISM surveillance program. Apple too.

So technically none of those smartphone companies are exactly the peak of user security and privacy, are they?

"At least 5 years of security updates"

This is definitely welcome news for Android users, some of whom are left with outdated software as soon as just a year after they purchased their smartphone, if not even sooner, depending on the manufacturer.

In contrast, Apple is famous for delivering software updates for many, many years. Even the 2015 iPhone 6s is still running the latest iOS, which is iOS 15. Apple delivers full OS updates, mind you, not just security updates.

But still, Google was eager to point out that Pixel 6 users will be getting at least 5 years of security updates. It's particularly good news for those planning to use the Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro for many years to come. For at least 5 years, they won't feel forced to buy a new phone over security risks.

Titan M2 chip – take that, Apple M1

Now this is an interesting one, and perhaps a stretch, but I can't help wondering why Google chose to name its new security chip "M2". Could it be to one-up Apple's wildly popular M1 chip? If so, that'd be funny.

To be fair, Google came up with the M name first. Its original Titan M security chip was introduced in late 2018 for the Pixel 3. Then Apple came out with its M1 processor and made a huge marketing wave around it as Apple does, so that's the one most people are aware of.

Now Google is naming its second-gen Titan M chip the M2. And it makes sense that the company chose this name, but I can't help but see it as a one-up to the Apple M1. A subtle way to say "You go choose some other letter, fruit company, we're not backing down, and we're a number ahead!"

Sustainability isn't just Apple's thing

For a while now one of Apple's regular topics during events has been sustainability. The company uses recycled materials where possible and no longer gives us chargers with our new iPhones and Apple Watches, supposedly in order to decrease its carbon footprint. And surely not to increase its profits from charging brick sales and by delivering more smartphones at once thanks to them being packaged in smaller boxes. But hey.

In any case, sustainability is a hot topic, and during Google's Pixel 6 presentation, Google made sure to point out its involvement:



And of course, although Google didn't mention it, there will be no chargers included in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro boxes, just like how Apple does it.

Bonus jabs at Qualcomm

Throughout the Pixel 6's presentation, when talking about its Tensor chip, Google seemingly took a whole lot of shots at Qualcomm too.

Qualcomm, of course, is the processor manufacturer that Google's earlier Pixel phones relied on. For example, last year's Pixel 5 was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor.

But now that Google has developed its own Tensor chip, the company wasn't shy of sharing it's real feelings on Qualcomm and its work. Although technically the Qualcomm name wasn't dropped, we know exactly whom Google was talking about.





"Held back", waiting "for them to catch up"? Ouch!