Google Palm: A Tiny AI Device That Fits in Your Hand

What is the Google Palm?

The Google Palm is a miniaturized artificial intelligence (AI) device and wireless companion designed by Google in 2020. Some key facts about the Palm:

• It’s a tiny gadget measuring just 2.6 x 3.7 inches, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.
• It serves as a personal digital assistant, providing notifications, reminders, controls for smart devices, and access to Google services.
• The Palm uses on-device AI to learn your habits and provide useful information proactively.
• It has minimal hardware, including a tiny touchscreen, microphone, speakers and wireless connectivity.
• The Palm is meant as a secondary device to complement your smartphone, not replace it entirely.

How Was the Google Palm Developed?

The Palm stemmed from Google’s acquisition of some intellectual property and team members from the now defunct Palm, Inc. in 2014. Palm was a pioneer in handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones in the 1990s and 2000s.

Some key events in the genesis of the Google Palm:

• In 2018, Google formed a new internal startup incubator called Area 120. It was tasked with developing new experimental products and technologies.
• The Google Palm project was spun up within Area 120. Several former Palm, Inc. team members worked on it.
• They decided to revive the Palm name and draw inspiration from the original PalmPilot device. But the Google Palm was engineered entirely from scratch.
• After two years of development within Area 120, the Google Palm was officially unveiled in October 2020.
• Google partnered with Verizon as the exclusive US wireless provider for the Palm at launch.

What are the Key Features of the Google Palm?

The Palm provides a subset of smart features in a compact size:

• Notifications: Get call, text, app alerts from your paired Android or iOS smartphone. Customizable notification lights.
• Quick settings: Control smart home devices, start Spotify playback, set a timer or alarm. Access quick actions with taps or gestures.
• Time/weather: Glance at the time, your calendar, weather, and battery life with a swipe.
• Life mode: Track steps, activity time, sleep and set wellness goals. Basic fitness/health tracking.
• Helpful hints: Proactively surfaces useful info like flight times, upcoming appointments, traffic alerts.
• ** photo/video remote:** Use as a remote viewfinder for your smartphone camera. Control capture from the Palm.
• Google Assistant: Built-in voice commands and queries powered by Google’s AI assistant.
• 24hr Battery: Stays powered for up to a day on a single charge via magnetic inductive charging.

What Can You Use the Google Palm For?

The Palm’s lightweight software and AI assistant lends itself to a few core use cases:

As a Secondary Notifications Device

The Palm can provide subtle, non-distracting notifications while your primary phone is put away. For example, while at dinner, at the gym, in a meeting. Get notified if there’s something urgent.

For Quick Interactions

In situations where pulling out your phone would be disruptive or awkward, the Palm allows subtle interactions like dismissing alarms, controlling smart home devices, setting quick reminders.

As a Mini Smartwatch Alternative

With basic fitness tracking and the ability to show notifications/time, the Palm can serve as an ultra-light alternative to a smartwatch.

As a Dedicated Personal Assistant

The Palm’s AI capabilities aim to streamline access to helpful information unique to your habits and needs. Over time, it can act as an automated personal assistant.

For Children/Elderly Users

The Palm could provide a simple smartphone companion for kids or elderly users. It allows basic functions like emergency contacts, notifications from family members, and assistance.

For Digital Minimalism

Some may appreciate the Palm’s scaled back functionality for embracing digital minimalism. It provides limited smart features without the complexity and distractions of a full smartphone.

What Makes the Palm Different than a Smartwatch or Smartphone?

The Palm carves out a unique niche between smartphones and smartwatches:

Compared to smartwatches:

• Larger touchscreen and interface
• Customizable watch face not optimized for constant wear
• More smart device controls and settings
• Fuller voice assistant capabilities

Compared to smartphones:

• Much more compact and lightweight
• No primary/standalone cellular connectivity
• Highly streamlined app functionality
• Not optimized for content consumption or extensive use

So the Palm hits a sweet spot between glanceable convenience and multifunctionality. It’s meant for lightweight assistance versus constant immersion.

Is the Palm a Phone You Can Make Calls On?

No, the Palm doesn’t have full cellular connectivity on its own so you can’t make traditional phone calls from it directly. However, it does offer some voice calling capabilities when paired to your main smartphone via Bluetooth:

• You can make and receive calls on your paired iPhone or Android phone using the Palm as a conduit.
• For incoming calls, you can choose to answer on the Palm or your phone. For outgoing, you can initiate calls from the Palm.
• The Palm will then route the call to/from your smartphone which provides the actual cellular connection.
• This allows you to conveniently make calls when your main phone is out of reach, like across the room charging.
• The Palm doesn’t actually contain a cellular modem. It borrows the connectivity of your smartphone via proximity.

So the Palm supports phone calls in conjunction with your existing smartphone line. But it doesn’t work independently as a phone on its own.

How is the Google Palm Different from a Smart Speaker?

The Palm has some overlap with smart speakers but differs in a few key ways:

• Size: The Palm is a tiny palm-sized device versus smart speakers designed for shelf placement.
• Portability: The lightweight Palm has a battery and is meant to be carried around. Smart speakers require wall power.
• Display: Palm has a small touchscreen. Smart speakers only have LED indicator lights.
• Notifications: Palm can show notifications from your phone. Smart speakers only provide audio alerts.
• Camera controls: Palm can act as a remote camera viewfinder and shutter control. Smart speakers don’t offer camera integration.
• Fitness tracking: Palm can track steps, activity etc. Most smart speakers lack motion sensors.
• Phone integration: Deep integration with your smartphone/contacts. Most smart speakers have minimal phone syncing.

So the Palm is optimized more for visual info and portability, while smart speakers focus on robust audio and home integration.

Should You Buy the Google Palm?

The Palm may make sense for you if:

• You want a secondary device for notifications and quick interactions.
• You don’t need full smartphone functionality at all times.
• You want a compact companion for minimal digital usage.
• You like the idea of an AI assistant optimized for your needs.
• You want an alternative to bulky smartwatches and phones.

However, it may not be right for you if:

• You want full cellular connectivity on the go without your main phone.
• You expect extensive app capabilities and mobile content consumption.
• You want advanced health sensors and fitness metrics.
• You dislike charging and carrying an additional device.
• You prefer traditional digital assistants like Alexa or Siri.

So weigh your specific needs and use cases before deciding if the Palm’s benefits outweigh needing to manage an extra device. It fills a unique niche between phones and wearables.

Does the Google Palm Have Any Competitors?

Some other products occupy a similar compact smart assistant space as the Palm:

• Facebook Portal Mini – A smart display with AI camera and Alexa built-in. Lacks portability.
• Amazon Echo Spot – Voice assistant optimized alarm clock with small screen. No fitness features.
• Fitbit Versa – Fitness smartwatch with notification support. Larger and wearable only.
• Apple Watch – Full-featured smartwatch ecosystem. Significantly more expensive.
• Snapchat Spectacles – Has AR features and camera connectivity but no screen and minimal voice controls.

Overall, the Palm combines portability, display, fitness tracking, notifications, and AI in a uniquely miniaturized package. But it faces increasing competition as tech companies explore more wearable and shoppable AI concepts.

What Kinds of Accessories are Available for the Palm?

Google offers a few official accessories to enhance the Palm experience:

• Power Adapter – Charging dock that magnetically connects to the Palm for inductive charging. Provides faster charging than a cable alone.
• Wireless Charging Base – Charges your Palm by just setting it down on the pad. No need to plug it in.
• ** Palm Loop** – An adjustable wrist strap that lets you wear the Palm like a wristband. Keeps it attached securely.