Google's new feature drop brings Gemini Nano to Pixel 8 Pro; more AI updates promised

It will leverage Google's Tensor G3 chip to power the new AI features.(Image: Google's Pixel 8 smartphone)

Google has added the recently introduced Gemini AI, directly into the company's new Pixel 8 Pro phone. The Gemini AI is available in three sizes - Ultra, Pro and Nano. The Nano version has been added to the Pixel 8 Pro.

Nano is a highly efficient model, trained for specific on-device tasks. It will use Google's Tensor G3 chip for two features - Summarize in the Recorder app and Smart Reply on Gboard, Google's Android keyboard.

Summarize allows you to see a complete summary of your recorded conversations, interviews, presentations, and more. This works without a network connection, and completely leverages the Tensor G3 chip.

Smart Reply saves you time by suggesting responses to queries and questions in chat. Google says the suggestions leverage conversational awareness to suggest high-quality responses. The feature is now available in developer preview with WhatsApp, with support for more apps coming in 2024.

Besides these is Video Boost, which uses cloud computational models to adjust color, lighting, stabilidation, and graininess.

Video Boost also works with Night Sight video, Google's low-light video recording suite that uses AI to apply noise reduction to videos shot at night.

To improve Portrait photos, Google is using a new AI model to remove harsh shadows to improve photos both new and old. Photo Unblur can now sharpen images of cats and dogs.

You can now connect Pixel Fold or Pixel 6 and newer models to a laptop or desktop via USB, allowing it to be used for crisp, vibrant video calls.