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Pixel 8 Pro — the first smartphone with AI built in — is now running Gemini Nano, plus more AI updates coming to the Pixel portfolio

Dec 07, 2023

[[read-time]] min read

A new Feature Drop brings new updates to make your hardware more helpful, productive and personalised. Plus, Gemini Nano now powers on-device generative AI features for Pixel 8 Pro.

Google Australia team
Video summarising Pixel feature drop
10:25

Today, Google introduced Gemini, the most capable and flexible AI model we’ve ever built. With three different sizes — Ultra, Pro and Nano — Gemini is optimised to run on everything from data centres to smartphones. Gemini Nano is our most efficient model built for on-device tasks, and starting today, it's running on Pixel 8 Pro. (1) As the first smartphone engineered for Gemini Nano, it uses the power of Google Tensor G3 to deliver two expanded features: Summarise in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard. Gemini Nano running on Pixel 8 Pro offers several advantages by design, helping prevent sensitive data from leaving the phone, as well as offering the ability to use features without a network connection. In addition to Gemini Nano now running on-device, the broader family of Gemini models will unlock new capabilities for the Assistant with Bard experience early next year on Pixel.

Alongside generative AI models, Pixel devices use other AI-based tools to help you do more. These new features and other updates for productivity and customisation will begin rolling out today on Pixel phone, tablet, and smartwatch.

Help from AI on-device in Pixel 8 Pro with Gemini Nano

Summarise in Recorder

Gemini Nano, our most efficient model built for on-device experiences, now powers Summarise in the Recorder app on Pixel 8 Pro. Get a summary of your recorded conversations, interviews, presentations and more — even without a network connection.

Smart Reply in Gboard

Inside your Pixel 8 Pro, Gemini Nano is starting to power Smart Reply in Gboard as a developer preview. Available now to try with WhatsApp and coming to more apps next year, the on-device AI model saves you time by suggesting high-quality responses with conversational awareness (2).

A Pixel 8 showing Smart Reply in Gboard

AI-powered photos and videos to capture memories more vividly

Cutting-edge video

You no longer have to worry about shaky or imperfect videos. Using the power of Google Tensor G3, Video Boost on Pixel 8 Pro uploads your videos to the cloud where our computational photography models adjust color, lighting, stabilisation and graininess (3). Once complete, the result is stunning videos that look true to life.

Video Boost also enables Night Sight video on Pixel 8 Pro, which uses AI to apply noise reduction to videos recorded at night or in low-light conditions so you see rich detail and colour (4).

Record amazing timelapse videos after dark

Record vibrant, detailed timelapse videos in low light with Night Sight in Timelapse only on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Simply set your phone on a steady surface, like a tripod or a rock, and let your Pixel Camera document what comes out at night. Try it out the next time you want to film a video of the changing night sky.

See everyone in better light

With improved Portrait light in Google Photos, a new AI model enables Balance light to easily remove harsh shadows and improve portrait photos that are new or old. Now, everyone can look amazing, even when the lighting isn’t (5).

Photo Unblur gets an upgrade

It can be hard to photograph clear images of your furry friends. Photo Unblur is now better at sharpening images of dogs and cats so you can share a great photo — even if your pet can’t sit still (6). It still helps refocus people’s faces and backgrounds too, creating the perfect photo in one tap (7,8).

More productivity tools to make life easier

High-quality video calls from your computer

The days of grainy video calls from the built-in webcam on your laptop or desktop are over. You can now use your Pixel for visually crisp, vibrant video calls. Connect your Pixel 6 and newer phones to a laptop or desktop via USB and you’ll see the difference right away (9).

Spruce up document scans with a swipe

Pixel’s new Clean feature can help remove smudges, stains and creases from scanned documents. Simply access it through the Camera app to transform your images with a few swipes (10).

Two side-by-side images of Pixel 8 Pro using the new Clean feature; the first image is a stained receipt and the second is the same receipt with the stain removed.

An easier, safer way to sign in to your accounts

Now Google Password Manager can identify which of your accounts support passkeys and help you add them with just a few taps (11).

Confidence that your personal data is safe during repairs

Repair Mode gives you peace of mind by helping to keep your personal data protected and preserved, even when your device is out of your hands — whether you're sending your device to a repair shop or taking it in for service.

Unlock your phone with ease

Pixel Watch has a new feature that helps you unlock your phone with more ease — whether your hands are full or your face isn’t recognised in sunglasses! Now, you’ll be able to use your Pixel Watch to unlock your Pixel phone when it's nearby, so you can keep doing what you’re doing without stopping to enter your password, use your fingerprint or use face unlock. (12)

Surround yourself with sound

Put yourself in the center of the action when you watch your favorite movies and shows on Pixel Tablet, which now supports spatial audio (13). Try it through your speakers first, then pair your Pixel Buds Pro to experience spatial audio with head tracking for truly immersive sound. (14)

More customisation options to express yourself

Weather and Clock all in one

Wake up knowing exactly what to expect for your day with the addition of weather conditions and daily forecasts to the World Clock tab in the Clock app and within widgets (15).

Two side-by-side images of Pixel 8 Pro using the new Weather and Clock integration; the first image is a world clock with weather and the second is a widget showing the time and weather.

New features for your first-gen Pixel Watch

Your Pixel Phone and first-gen Pixel Watch will work even better together for more convenience, allowing you to sync your Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes from one device to the other, like you can with Pixel Watch 2. Plus, the new watch face designs (like Adventure and Analog Arcs) and updated complication styles (like arcs and redesigned bulbs) are now available for your smartwatch.

First-generation Pixel Watch with the Adventure Analog watch face.

More information:

  1. Available only in English.
  2. Available globally only on Pixel 8 Pro in developer settings using the United States English keyboard language. Available now in WhatsApp, coming to more apps next year. See https://developer.android.com/gboard-smart-reply for details
  3. Requires Google Photos app.
  4. Requires Google Photos app.
  5. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 6 and newer phones.
  6. Compared to earlier Pixel phones.
  7. Requires Google Photos app.
  8. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 6 and newer phones. Sequences simulated.
  9. Requires compatible devices that support UVC (USB Video Class).
  10. Requires Google Drive app. May not work on all document defects. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 5a with 5G and newer phones.
  11. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 5a with 5G and newer phones.
  12. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 5a with 5G and newer phones.
  13. Subscriptions may be required.
  14. Requires compatible app and supported content. See g.co/pixel/spatialaudio for details. Pixel Buds Pro sold separately.
  15. Available on Pixel Tablet, Pixel 5a with 5G and newer phones.
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