India, July 12 -- Around this time every year, Pixel fans begin waiting for Google's next big hardware announcement. This year, Google has confirmed its Made by Google event for August 12 in New York City, where the Pixel 11 series is expected to take centre stage. Most leaks have focused on cameras and hardware, but one small detail in Google's official invitation tells a much bigger story. It's not about what Google is launching. It's about when it's launching it, and that decision could make this year's event very different.

Daytime keynotes usually cater to reporters and live blogs. Evening events attract more consumers watching live, posting on social media and following the launch in real time. By scheduling the event for 6 p.m. ET...