Google is still no Samsung, but the Pixel 6 might change everything

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have been praised for their excellent cameras, aggressive prices and sharp designs, making them the first Google phones that might truly rival Apple and Samsung's devices. But to me, none of those qualities are what make the Pixel 6 so interesting. Instead, it's the ways in which Google is trying to push the basic smartphone experience forward with new software features that make its new devices stand out.

Google has struggled to challenge Samsung -- the no. 1 smartphone vendor worldwide -- since its first Pixel launched in 2016. But the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro come with features that make it easier to accomplish simple tasks like calling a customer service number or hydraclubbioknikokex7njhwuahc2l67lfiz7z36md2jvopda7nchid.onion dismissing an alarm -- things that many of us do routinely without much thought. These features still need some work before they're actually useful, but it feels like a promising step forward.