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In a surprising turn of events, Google announced it will be bringing its powerful AI model, Gemini Nano, to the Pixel 8 after initially stating hardware limitations would prevent it.
This decision comes after user disappointment regarding the Pixel 8's exclusion from the initial rollout. Google's forum post announcing the change avoids mentioning the controversy, simply framing it as "an upcoming enhancement."
"We're excited to announce the expansion of Gemini Nano to Pixel 8 users as a developer preview with the next Pixel Feature Drop," the post reads. This AI integration will power two new features: text summarization within the Recorder app and "Magic Compose" functionality in messaging applications.
While an exact release date remains unavailable, this move suggests Google has listened to user concerns.
In December, Google introduced Gemini Nano, an advanced AI model comparable to ChatGPT with the unique ability to run locally on smartphones – a significant feat.
However, earlier this month, an engineer named Terence Zhang informed Android developers that the Pixel 8 wouldn't be compatible due to "hardware limitations."
This news frustrated Pixel 8 owners, particularly considering the phone's recent launch and shared processor (Tensor G3) with the Pixel 8 Pro, the initially supported device.
Furthermore, Google's promise of seven years of updates for both Pixel models, along with the expectation of advanced AI features, had motivated some users to purchase the Pixel 8 specifically.
This reversal demonstrates Google's responsiveness to user feedback and its commitment to providing a consistent experience across its Pixel smartphone line.
