The Pixel 9 series is expected to make significant use of LLMs and Gemini functionality, but a new leak suggests that all of these features will be available under the new “Google AI” banner on upcoming devices.
In late 2023, a report suggested that Google is working on equipping Gemini with an AI assistant called “Pixie” that will be exclusive to Pixel devices. It will use Gmail, Maps, and “data from other Google products” on your phone to create a “highly personalized version of Google Assistant.”
Not much was known about how this happened, but the details that were revealed were: Android Authority It gave a glimpse of what to expect — including a new name for “Google AI.” This report also suggests that the Pixel 9 will ship with a feature that closely resembles Microsoft’s somewhat controversial Recall feature.
Another touted feature of Google’s AI is “Add Me.” This camera feature is described as being able to “make sure everyone is included in a group photo” based on screenshots. It could be an addition or expansion to the Pixel 8’s “Best Shot” feature that lets you edit a person’s facial reactions within group shots.
“Studio” is another new feature within the Google AI suite. According to the report, this is simply the new name for the “Creative Assitant” app that was previously detailed as an extension of the generative AI tools. Interestingly, the accompanying screenshot briefly states that with Studio, you can “imagine it” and “Pixel it creates it.”
No further details have been shared on how this will be achieved, but we could see some of Imagen 2, VideoFX, Veo, and ImageFX implemented here to enable the Studio feature on Pixel 9 series devices.
The final new feature detailed in this leak is called “Pixel Screenshots.” This feature will let you use AI to search for screenshots and use them as an expanded library of information and context. You’ll be able to “summarize new and existing screenshots” to answer “questions about the information in them.”
As mentioned, this is similar to Microsoft’s proposed implementation of the Recall feature in Windows 11. Like recent changes to Windows functionality, Google is making this an explicitly optional AI feature. It can be turned off at any time and will only apply to any screenshots you’ve taken directly. This should make Pixel Screenshots more secure than actively scanning your entire photo library on the device.
However, it will be able to collect metadata, web links, app names, and history to get a contextual picture of each screenshot. Everything will be processed on the device, so nothing will be sent from the cloud — another potential privacy benefit.
We won’t have to wait long to see what Google’s AI tech will bring to the Pixel 9 series. Three tablet-style phones and a foldable are expected to be unveiled on August 13 at the Made by Google conference in Mountain View.
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