Consumers and investors are increasingly disappointed with the overhyping of AI technology, and Google is taking notice.
“There’s been a multitude of promises and hype surrounding AI technology, but not enough tangible benefits for everyday users,” stated Google’s senior VP during the recent Pixel phone launch event. “Today, we aim to clarify the key inquiry on many minds: What can AI genuinely do for me?”
Did Google deliver on this commitment? Stripping away the extravagant elements of the keynote — celebrity appearances, technical jargon, and grand visions for future applications — we are left questioning what advancements were made to the Android experience. Is there any standout feature that qualifies as a game changer?
Below is a comprehensive overview of the practical demonstrations showcased during the 90-minute event, focusing on real-world applications rather than mere promises.
1. Gemini’s Calendar Integration for Concerts
The highlight of the event featured Gemini’s ability to check Google Calendar for availability based on concert posters. In one memorable demonstration, a Google product leader struggled with technical issues before successfully querying the assistant about an upcoming concert. Gemini provided the necessary details, confirming no conflicting events.
While the functionality of understanding text from images isn’t entirely groundbreaking, the calendar integration serves as a significant advantage for Google. Competing technology from other firms is expected to debut similar features in the near future.
Subsequent demonstrations revealed Gemini’s capacity to draft correspondence for various scenarios, showcasing what users have come to expect from AI assistants.
2. Gemini Live Enhances Conversational Interaction
Next, Google’s VP introduced the Gemini Live voice assistant, highlighting a playful conversation regarding science experiments for children. This conversational flow aims to enhance user engagement.
However, similar capabilities were exhibited earlier this year by other AI systems, suggesting that the competition is rapidly evolving in this space.
3. Gemini Nano: On-Device Call Summaries
The introduction of Call Notes allows the AI to provide a private summary of phone conversations directly on the device, enhancing user privacy. This functionality operates entirely on-device, eliminating reliance on cloud processing.
4. Searchable Screenshots
Another feature gaining attention is Gemini Nano’s ability to make screenshots searchable, positioning it as one of the standout AI tools of 2024.
While additional features showcased AI capabilities that have been observed previously, such as creating event invitations and auto-framing in photo editing, the overall effectiveness of this feature set remains to be seen. The question remains whether these advancements will reshape the skepticism surrounding AI technology.
Topics
Google, AI Advances
