Google I/O conference should be renamed to Google AI, as a colleague of mine pointed out yesterday during the Mountain View live event.
And how could it not be: 120 minutes of AI this, AI that.
Not that we're not impressed with what Gemini is (and will be) able to do. It's just that some of us here at PhoneArena were anticipating a Pixel 9 teaser and an official Android 15 preview. Nope, it was all about artificial intelligence.
Eh, that's the spirit of the times.
If you were wondering why Google released the Pixel 8a a whole week earlier than expected (Google's budged bijou was unveiled on May 7, instead of May 14), it's because the I/O presentation was AI-exclusive and it'd be extremely
New features coming to Pixel family
Well, truth to be told, the Pixel family got updated yesterday – not with new hardware, but with some new fancy functions and features.
First, the Gemini Nano model (the other two are the Gemini Pro and Gemini Ultra) is getting multimodal capabilities.
It's expected the Gemini Nano with multimodality to debut on the current Pixel handsets "later this year", as Google put it.
Simply put, multimodality will enable phones to process not only text input but also understand contextual information such as sights, sounds, and spoken language.
Recommended For You
Android is set to become the first mobile operating system to feature a built-in, on-device foundation model with the introduction of Gemini Nano. This innovation aims to deliver fast and secure experiences while keeping user information private.
Further down the line in 2024, Gemini Nano’s multimodal capabilities will be integrated into TalkBack, providing richer and clearer descriptions for people with blindness or low vision. TalkBack users encounter an average of 90 unlabeled images daily. This update will help by offering more details about photos from family or friends and descriptions of clothing styles and cuts when shopping online. Since Gemini Nano operates on-device, these descriptions are provided quickly and work even without a network connection.
Next, Circle to Search is getting better
Since its debut at Samsung Unpacked in January 2024, Circle to Search has been enhanced with new features such as full-screen translation, and its availability has been extended to more Pixel and Samsung devices.
As of today, Circle to Search can assist students with their homework, providing them with a deeper understanding rather than just delivering answers, directly from their phones and tablets. When students encounter a problem they're stuck on, circling the prompt prompts Circle to Search to offer step-by-step instructions for solving a range of physics and math word problems, all without leaving their digital materials. Later this year, Circle to Search will expand its capabilities to solve even more complex problems involving symbolic formulas, diagrams, graphs, and beyond.
What else?
Of course, the Google I/O 2024 event brought a lot more and the announced features will surely be available for Pixel phones (and other Android champs):
Search Generative Experience (SGE): Google will begin offering AI-generated overviews for search queries
Video search: Allows troubleshooting using videos in Google Search
Ask Photos: Context-aware prompts for detailed image searches in your gallery
Gemini 1.5 Pro: Enhanced AI with larger context window, accessible via Gemini Advanced app
Gmail Integration: Summarizes email threads and offers smart replies
NotebookLM: Adds audio overviews for learning through listening
Gemini Nano elevated protection and privacy
Imagen 3 and Veo: Advanced media creation tools
Grab the Pixel 10 at Mint Mobile for $450 off
$349
$799
$450 off (56%)
Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.
Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.
The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.
The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.
Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: