The Pixel 9 series has made its grand entrance, showcasing a range of innovative hardware changes and a significant focus on artificial intelligence (AI). With a plethora of newly announced AI-powered features, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything.
This blog aims to break down these features, making it easier for you to understand what the Pixel 9 has to offer. From the Gemini assistant to new apps and enhancements, let’s dive into the details.
Gemini Updates: A New Era of Voice Assistance
The Gemini assistant has officially taken center stage as the default voice assistant on Pixel 9 devices. While it may not fully replace the Google Assistant just yet, Google is making a strong push for its adoption.
Gemini comes with several new upgrades, including extensions for Google Calendar, tasks, notes, and basic device controls like flashlight, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. These features have been highly requested by users.
Additionally, YouTube Music is introducing new prompts that allow users to create playlists based on specific styles or moods. The integration with Google Home, phone, and messages is also expected to deepen in the future.
One of the standout features is the Gemini floating overlay, which allows users to interact with the assistant without leaving the app they are currently using. This is a significant improvement over previous versions, which required users to switch to a full-screen interface.
Gemini Live: A Natural Conversation Experience
For those who opt for Gemini Advanced membership, a new feature called Gemini Live is available. This feature facilitates a natural, conversational experience with the assistant, allowing for a free-flowing exchange of ideas. Users can interrupt mid-sentence or switch topics seamlessly, which enhances the interaction significantly.
At the end of the conversation, users can access a written history of their interactions, making it easier to recall important details. It’s a promising tool for daily users, and for those with Pixel Buds Pro 2, it offers hands-free functionality, allowing for a truly immersive experience.
Introducing Pixel Studio: Creativity at Your Fingertips
Pixel Studio is a new app exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, enabling users to generate images from text prompts. This feature is powered by an on-device diffusion model and Google’s Imagine 3 cloud-based model. Although it’s still early to assess its full utility, the app boasts a user-friendly interface for inputting prompts and editing images. Users can easily share their creations through messaging and email, fostering creativity and expression.
Pixel Screenshots: Enhancing Information Retrieval
Another exclusive app for the Pixel 9 is Pixel Screenshots, designed to help users save, organize, and recall important information from their screenshots. By utilizing natural language queries or keywords, the app can pull relevant context from Google Search, providing a comprehensive overview when a screenshot is accessed.
For instance, if you take a screenshot of a restaurant, the app can display its address, reviews, and directions. Similarly, if you capture a product screenshot, it can provide prices or links for future reference. This innovative use of AI significantly enhances the utility of screenshots, making it easier for users to manage their digital information.
AI-Powered Call Notes: A New Level of Convenience
The new Call Notes feature is another impressive addition, utilizing AI to automatically transcribe and summarize phone calls. This feature is particularly useful for discussions that involve intricate details, such as medical appointments or important meetings. Privacy is a priority, as this feature operates entirely on AI, notifying all parties when it’s active. However, availability may be limited by country or language.
Add Me: Perfect Group Photos Every Time
Add Me is one of the most marketed features of the Pixel 9, enabling users to take group photos while including the photographer in the shot. The process involves taking a picture of the group and then capturing a second image with the photographer. AI stitches these images together, creating a seamless group photo without the need to hand off the camera to a stranger.
Magic Editor Upgrades: Transform Your Photos
The Magic Editor tool also receives exciting updates, including an autoframe feature that suggests crops or expansions using generative fill. Users can request specific edits, such as changing backgrounds or adding new objects, similar to Adobe’s generative fill tool. During Google’s live demo, the results were impressive, and many users are eager to explore its potential.
Pixel Weather: Your AI-Powered Forecast
The Pixel Weather app has been revamped to include AI-generated weather reports powered by Gemini Nano. Positioned prominently at the top of the app, these reports provide a quick overview of the day’s weather, complete with specific details like humidity, UV index, and air quality. This feature aims to keep users informed of weather changes throughout the day, enhancing their planning capabilities.
Enhanced Features for Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2
Beyond the Pixel 9 series, other Google products are also receiving AI upgrades. The Pixel Watch 3 now includes functionality to detect when a user’s pulse stops and can automatically connect with emergency services if necessary.
Additionally, enhanced running metrics utilize machine learning to provide a detailed breakdown of running form, cadence, stride length, and ground contact time.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 have also integrated AI features, allowing users to channel Gemini Live and enjoy improved noise cancellation powered by AI algorithms.
This feature adapts to the user’s environment, canceling out noise more effectively than previous versions, making them a fantastic choice for music lovers and those seeking tranquility.
Conclusion: A Future Driven by AI
The Pixel 9 series introduces a remarkable array of AI features that promise to enhance user experience and simplify daily tasks. While it may be too much for some users to adopt every new feature, others will find invaluable tools that fit seamlessly into their routines. From Gemini Live to Pixel Screenshots, each addition reflects Google’s commitment to integrating AI into everyday technology.
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how users adapt to these innovations and which features become staples in their daily workflows. The future is bright for AI in technology, and the Pixel 9 series is leading the way.
Comparison
| Feature | Description | Benefits | Devices/Apps |
| Gemini Assistant | Default voice assistant with extensions for Google Calendar, tasks, notes, and device controls. | Simplifies task management and device control, provides contextual suggestions, and integrates with other apps. | Pixel 9 Series |
| Gemini Live | Facilitates natural, conversational interaction with the assistant, with written history access. | Enhances communication flow and allows users to easily recall past interactions. | Gemini Advanced Membership, Pixel Buds Pro 2 |
| Pixel Studio | App for generating images from text prompts using diffusion models. | Fosters creativity and allows users to easily create and share visual content. | Pixel 9 Series |
| Pixel Screenshots | Organizes and retrieves information from screenshots using AI. | Streamlines information management and provides contextual data, improving productivity. | Pixel 9 Series |
| AI-Powered Call Notes | Automatically transcribes and summarizes phone calls with privacy notifications. | Invaluable for keeping records of important discussions, especially in professional or medical contexts. | Pixel 9 Series |
| Add Me | AI-powered feature for including the photographer in group photos. | Ensures everyone is included in group photos without the need for an external photographer. | Pixel 9 Series |
| Magic Editor Upgrades | Includes autoframe and generative fill for photo editing. | Offers advanced editing capabilities, allowing users to modify images with ease and precision. | Pixel 9 Series |
| Pixel Weather | AI-generated weather reports with detailed information like UV index and air quality. | Provides precise and easily accessible weather information for better planning. | Pixel Weather App |
| Pixel Watch 3 Enhancements | Pulse detection and emergency service connectivity, plus advanced running metrics. | Increases user safety and provides comprehensive running analytics for fitness enthusiasts. | Pixel Watch 3 |
| Pixel Buds Pro 2 Enhancements | AI-powered noise cancellation and integration with Gemini Live. | Improves audio experience by adapting to the environment and providing seamless voice assistant access. | Pixel Buds Pro 2 |