Google plans a new assistant for the Pixel 9. Called Pixie, it would use artificial intelligence, through Gemini models, and would be exclusive to the company’s own smartphones. In addition, Pixie would be able to use data from Gmail, Maps, and other data from the company’s services.
The information is from a fairly extensive report by The Information website about Google’s plans for artificial intelligence. Pixie would be a more personalized version of Google Assistant. It could debut with the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
While announcing the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, Google also introduced the Google Assistant with Bard. Pixie wouldn’t be this assistant, or at least it wouldn’t be the initial version presented.
Another difference is that the Assistant with Bard will be made available for devices from other brands. The company’s own blog says the app will be available on the iPhone, and code analysis has shown that the new assistant will likely come on the Galaxy S24, to be released by Samsung early next year.
So far, the Pixel 8 Pro has gained some AI features, such as summarizing audio recordings and response suggestions on the keyboard. The device runs the Gemini Nano model, optimized to use little processing power and not rely on the internet.
AI for cheap phones, glasses, and more
The Information report reveals that Google’s plans for artificial intelligence go beyond Pixie. One of them is that the company wants to bring artificial intelligence capabilities to cheap smartphones and watches, possibly making use of the Gemini Nano.
Some ideas are for another type of device. AI could be employed in glasses, for object recognition. Thus, the gadget could show how to use a tool, solve a math problem, or play a musical instrument. This glasses, however, remains in the internal discussion phase and it is not known if it will become a reality.
