We did it, y’all. We bullied Google into letting the Pixel 8 run on-device AI. Beginning with the following Pixel function drop, the Pixel 8 will use Gemini Nano for a few AI options.
Google introduced Gemini Nano as its mobile-optimized giant language mannequin in December and stated it could be a core a part of Android sooner or later — however in its personal gadget lineup, solely the Pixel 8 Professional was in a position to make use of it. Regardless of utilizing the identical Tensor G3 chipset, the Pixel 8 wasn’t getting on-device AI due to “{hardware} limitations.” Pixel followers and watchful Android specialists requested the identical query: what the heck, Google?
The Pixel 8 will get help for Gemini Nano within the subsequent Pixel function drop as a developer preview, powering on-device recorder summaries and good replies in Gboard — identical because the Pixel 8 Professional. In the meantime, Samsung began rolling out AI options to its previous-generation flagship telephones at present. In a weblog submit earlier this yr, Samsung stated that this AI function growth would make the most of each on- and off-device AI. Google’s “{hardware} limitation” clarification for Gemini Nano’s absence on the Pixel 8 was beginning to look fairly shaky.
In any case, a victory is a victory, and I’m fairly positive this one belongs to all of us. Peer stress works, my pals.