The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will also receive the same new on-device AI functionality.
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| (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
Google revealed at the end of the previous year that the Pixel 8 Pro will be receiving the Gemini Nano AI. The Pixel 8 would not be as fortunate, the company said, as its technology was unable to support Gemini Nano's on-device processing. We believed that, but it appears that Google has altered its mind.
The upcoming Pixel Feature Drop will include a developer peek of the Gemini Nano, according to confirmation from Google. Though many details are still unknown, Google has announced that the AI will power two new features: Gboard's Smart Reply and Recorder's Summarize.
A more compact version of Google's Gemini AI architecture, Gemini Nano provides on-device AI processing without requiring a cloud connection. This not only protects user privacy but also makes the AI features cost-free and able to operate even in the absence of an active internet connection.
On-device AI's primary drawback, however, is that it depends on the phone's hardware to function. Google acknowledged that varying memory specifications can result in varying performance levels. For this reason, although the Pixel 8 required more testing and confirmation, the Pixel 8 Pro got Nano features last year.
There will be a bit more software parity between the two smartphones now that these two functions are available on the Pixel 8. For those of you who choose the $699 Pixel 8 instead of the $999 8 Pro, this is excellent news.
Regretfully, as this is only a developer preview, Gemini Nano will only be accessible to those who have Android developer accounts; the general public won't have access to it just yet. Though it's obvious that more work has to be done before the Pixel 8 is prepared for Gemini Nano, Google may eventually make the AI more generally available.
However, work is development, so perhaps over the next several months, Gemini Nano will arrive in its right form. even if it's only available as a beta rather than a stable version for general consumption.
Undoubtedly, further information on Gemini Nano will be unveiled at Google I/O 2024 in May, most likely in conjunction with updates regarding the cloud-supported Gemini Pro and Ultra.