A couple of weeks in the past, we discovered that {hardware} limitations prevented Google from bringing Gemini Nano to the Pixel 8. Gemini Nano would solely be obtainable on the Pixel 8 Professional. Naturally, this wasn’t nice information for Pixel 8 homeowners who opted for the cheaper mannequin.
Gemini Nano is a big language mannequin that may energy on-device generative AI options on cellphones. It’s additionally a Google-made AI mannequin and the corporate’s solely LLM that may run on telephones proper now. That’s why it’s extremely vital for Google to have Gemini Nano run on its Pixel flagships earlier than every other Android system will get it.
It seems that Google managed to discover a solution to convey Gemini Nano to the Pixel 8 in spite of everything. The subsequent Android 14 Function Drop will convey Gemini Nano to the bottom Pixel 8.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional have comparable {hardware} relating to processing energy. They characteristic the identical Tensor G3 chip, however they’ve totally different quantities of RAM. Google included 8GB of reminiscence within the Pixel 8 and 12GB within the Pixel 8 Professional.
A couple of weeks in the past, I identified that the bottom Galaxy S24 can run Gemini Nano, although it options simply 8GB of RAM. I additionally mentioned that it’s best to see what Google finally ends up doing earlier than you decide your subsequent Android telephone. If generative AI is one thing you need out of your smartphones, and for those who care about on-device AI processing, you already take note of specs like RAM. That’s particularly vital for telephones just like the upcoming Pixel 8a and Pixel 9.
Google apparently managed to optimize Gemini Nano for the Pixel 8 in spite of everything. It mentioned so in an announcement to Phandroid:
We’ve seen numerous pleasure from customers and builders since Pixel 8 Professional grew to become the primary smartphone to get Gemini Nano final 12 months. Working giant language fashions on telephones with totally different reminiscence specs can ship totally different consumer experiences, so now we have been testing and validating this on Pixel 8. We’re excited to supply the chance for extra fans and builders to check out Gemini Nano, the place we hope to get extra suggestions and see extra innovation.
On-device AI is vital for a number of causes. First, the info you share with the AI mannequin doesn’t go away the system. This improves safety and privateness.
Second, the efficiency may enhance, as all of the processing is completed on the system.
Lastly, it reduces cloud processing prices for Google. Once more, the prompts are processed on the telephone fairly than Google’s servers. This additionally means you gained’t need to pay a subscription to cowl the prices of on-device AI.
So, what are the Gemini Nano on-device AI options that Google helps? It powers the Good Reply characteristic in Google’s Gboard keyboard. You need to use it in chat apps, and that’s why on-device AI is so vital. You’d need the private contents of chats to not go away your system.
Furthermore, Gemini Nano can summarize transcripts from the Recorder app. These may also include delicate information, so on-device processing is appreciated.
It won’t sound like rather a lot, however we’re within the early days of generative AI processing on units.
The Pixel 8 Function Drop that may convey Gemini Nano assist ought to be a part of Google’s subsequent Android 14 replace in June.
