Google details 7 years of Pixel updates; confirms Gemini Nano compatibility for Pixel 8

Google announced in the latest episode of the “Made by Google” podcast featuring Seang Chau, vice president of device software and services, that the Pixel 8 will now receive Gemini Nano support despite previously citing “hardware limitations” as the reason for its delay

Gemini Nano on Pixel 8

As Google said, Gemini Nano will be available in developer preview on Pixel 8, with Summarize in Recorder and Gboard Smart Reply. Smart Reply promises faster, conversation-aware replies, while Summarize can generate bullet points from recordings.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro, with its 12GB of RAM, extends Smart Reply support to WhatsApp, Line, and KakaoTalk. A significant difference between Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro is RAM capacity, with Pixel 8 having 8GB and Pixel 8 Pro having 12GB.

Google mentions that running large language models on phones with varying memory specs can provide different user experiences, and they've been testing this extensively.

Google has reportedly found a method to run LLM with less RAM without compromising the user experience, similar to smaller devices like the Galaxy S24.

Gemini Nano is expected to be part of the next Pixel Feature Drop, probably in Android 14 QPR3, expected in June. In addition to end-user improvements, Pixel 8 developers will have access to AICore for their apps.

Google explains 7 years of Pixel updates

Google also detailed its 7-year update promise for Pixel devices, achieved through collaboration with vendors, partners and the Android team. The company attributes the reliability of quarterly updates to year-round beta programs and rigorous testing.

The decision to extend support to 7 years was based on data from active users, taking into account factors such as the duration of use of the device and resale. Google aims to offer software-only features towards the end of the 7-year cycle, with no additional hardware required.

As for the Gemini Nano implementation on the Pixel 8, RAM limitations were the main concern due to the memory-intensive nature of LLM. Google has done extensive testing to ensure a smooth user experience, using techniques like lazy loading and keeping templates resident for essential features like Smart Reply.

As Google prepares for the next feature drop, system health validations are being performed to ensure seamless integration of new features across your devices.

Source | road