Google's AI-powered future

Hi!

This week, Google held its annual product launch event, Made by Google. Along with the usual announcements and demos of the latest tech - Pixel 9 phones, the Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Pro 2 earbuds - Google really brought its AI capabilities to the fore with a strong focus on the Gemini Live software.

So what's new in the world of Google AI?

Gemini Live

The latest AI voice assistant allows you to have a live conversation with your phone - hands-free if you’re connecting via the Pixel Pro 2 earbuds!

It's a massive step forward from the basic interactions we're used to with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri. You don't need formal commands as Gemini Live offers a more natural conversation, allowing you to talk with your phone as you would a person. You can change the subject and interrupt Gemini if necessary to tailor the conversation to your needs. 

Gemini has been developed to better understand intent, so rather than being directed to generic search results, you should get more relevant and personalized responses.

Multimodal AI

Gemini isn't limited to text or audio input. Images and photos can also be processed and analyzed. 

For example, you can take a photo of a poster for an event, then use Gemini to add the event to your calendar or open a web link from the poster to purchase tickets. 

Similarly, you might take a photo of your dying houseplant and use Gemini to provide specific plant care tips, or ask for recipe ideas based on a photo of the ingredients in your fridge.

Pixel Screenshots

This new feature interprets screenshot images, allowing you to search your images like a database. You can easily find specific information or content within your screenshots, making it easier to retrieve important details from past captures.

Pixel Studio

This new image generation tool uses Google's own Imagen 3 model to turn text-based prompts into images. The app includes editing tools to tweak and refine the image, which takes it a step forward from the current chatbot interface for generating images. This gives users more flexibility to modify and customize the AI-generated content.

Add Me

This new Pixel Camera app feature means the photographer is no longer left out of group photos. You take the first photo, then switch out the photographer for a second photo. Add Me then merges the two, ensuring everyone is included in the final image.

Call Notes

Turn this feature on during phone calls to make call transcripts and generate summaries. You can log any key information and refer back to previous conversations with ease, improving productivity and ensuring important points aren't missed.

Further integrations

Google also has additional features coming soon that will incorporate the Gmail, Calendar, and Keep apps among others. Users will be able to use Gemini to take information from one app and use it in another, such as creating a shopping list in Keep based on a Gmail conversation. 

Availability and pricing

It's worth noting that these advancements come at a cost - Gemini Live is only available for Gemini Advanced subscribers at $20 a month. Currently, it's only available on Android devices although Google’s Senior Vice President of Devices & Services, Rick Osterloh, has made it clear that they want to ensure everyone can access this tech in future.

Looking ahead

Although Google only has a small share of the smartphone market, focusing heavily on AI and pipping Apple to the post could potentially secure a stronger position in the AI space.

As Apple prepares to launch its own Apple Intelligence with the iPhone 16 due in September, competition is definitely heating up. It will be interesting to see how Apple’s AI compares with Google's latest offerings and how both will shape AI’s continued integration with smartphone technology.

OK, speak soon!

Inge
Top Apps Founder

P.S. Check out the Top Apps AI courses here.