The new Pixel 9 lineup is here, bringing with it some snazzy new AI features.
On Tuesday’s Made by Google event, the tech giant unveiled the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as a new generation of smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 3. As Google continues to develop AI tools and features across all of its offerings, the Pixel division is no exception.
The Google Pixel 9 lineup comes with Gemini integrations, AI photo-editing tools, and health and fitness upgrades. Here are the most noteworthy AI features.
1. Gemini now has voice mode
Gemini is catching up to ChatGPT with its own voice mode. Gemini Live is a new feature for Google’s chatbot that can talk back. Previously, users could prompt Gemini with audio messages, but it responded with text. Now Gemini Live can share audio responses.
Similarly to OpenAI’s GPT-4o Voice Mode, Gemini Live can have a fluid back-and-forth conversation with users. You can interrupt it and it will calibrate it’s response accordingly, so you don’t have to wait for it to complete its initial response. Plus, Gemini Live is contextual, meaning it remembers previous conversations so you can pick up where you left off without having to re-explain your original prompt.
Gemini Live is live as of today and is supported by all of the Pixel 9 devices. But you’ll have to shell out for a Gemini advanced subscription to get access.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
2. AI-powered Weather app
The Google Pixel 9 family got an upgraded Weather app with, you guessed it, AI features. The native app has the standard breakdown of weather by hours and days, but at the top of the screen, the app provides an AI-powered summary of the outlook for the day.
On the hot summer day that Mashable saw this feature in action, the app said, “Hot one today, so wear sunscreen if you’re heading out this morning.” It’s not solving for a huge problem; in fact it’s pretty easy to quickly check the daily weather forecast, by looking at the pictures of suns and clouds. But for people rushing out the door in the morning and not thinking about what the rest of the day might be like, it could be useful for remembering to bring an umbrella or a jacket.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
3. ‘Made You Look’ is for parents with inattentive kids
This one is for all the parents out there. If you find yourself having to jangle keys or make silly faces to make your kids look at the camera, the “Made You Look” feature has your back. When you take a picture with the phone unfolded, the external display will show cutesy animations to draw the attention of your kids — or easily distracted adults. Then, the feature’s AI will recognize when the subject is smiling and snap the pic.
There’s something slightly unnerving about relying on a screen to get your child’s attention. Then again, parents use screens to distract their kids, so why not do the opposite? Since this feature requires the external screen, it’s only for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
4. You’ll never be left out of a group photo again with ‘Add Me’
With Google’s “Add Me” feature, the group selfie, or asking a stranger to take a photo of the whole group, are no longer the only options. Now you can take a picture of your friends, have a friend take a picture of you, and merge the solo shot into the group photo.
When Mashable saw it demonstrated in person, the result looked pretty convincing. The merged image gets the scale and lighting right of every person so it looks like a seamless group photo. But it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the real world and if users will have to be careful to pose in the exact same spot. The “Add Me” feature is available for all Pixel 9 devices.
The original photo…
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
…and the altered photo, with the third person added using generative AI.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
5. AI is coming to the Pixel Watch 3
The Pixel Watch 3 is getting the AI treatment. Like other wearables, it caters to health and fitness applications. So naturally, the Pixel Watch 3’s new AI features focus on these use cases. With a Fitbit Premium subscription, users can get personalized AI-powered running recommendations based on goals and target cardio load using Google AI data tracking from past runs. The Fitbit Morning brief will also summarize key health and fitness information, so you can plan your workout accordingly. If you get a call during your workout, Google AI can pick up or hold calls for you while you finish up or grab your phone.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
As mentioned, most of the AI features require a Fitbit Premium subscription which costs $9.99 a month. But the Pixel Watch 2 came with free Fitbit Premium for the first six months, so here’s hoping Google will offer a similar deal.
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