Google CEO Sundar Pichai talked about merging Google AI with software and hardware at the Pixel 2 launch event earlier this month. Google is taking hardware seriously after years of experimentation. But it doesn't have a chance at becoming another Apple or Samsung. Instead, Google's hardware division will be used to sneak the company's AI technology into everything else. Suddenly, Google is starting to look like a hardware company. As the holiday gadget-buying season approaches, Google's offerings are starting to look more like what you'd see from Samsung or Apple, not a search giant. It started this week with the launch of the new Pixel 2 phones, which despite their ugly designs and iffy screens got largely positive reviews. Next come a slew of new gadgets - wireless earbuds, an attractive new Chromebook, jumbo and mini versions of its Google Home smart speaker, a GoPro-like camera, and a refined version of its virtual reality headset. Googl...