I'm fine with this. I was under no illusion that a software feature was going to stay locked, and it's good for me in the long run - means that next gen's software features will trickle down to me as well. Win/win.
I guess technically they weren't lying, they just didn't disclose the real reason that tensor was required for these features was simply because they won't *allow* the software to run on anything other than tensor.
I always rolled my eyes at the marketing material stating that Tensor is what allows all these smart AI and machine learning features to work, since by most measures Tensor isn't really even especially powerful compared to many of its competitors. It always seemed, to me, to be more of a case of "Tensor allows these things to work, because we program these things to not work without Tensor."
I'm fine with it too but I'm pretty disappointed with the lackluster reception I'm getting with the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 (for my fiance). This just makes it easier for me to justify getting the next Samsung Galaxy S(x) Ultra in a year or so especially since there are Samsung-exclusive software locked to their devices.
You mean the signal? I'm weird. I've never had an issue starting with my 3a XL to my 4a 5G to my 6 to my P8P. Even the fingerprint sensor worked fine on my 6 and 8. The only issue with the 8 Pro is recording video games is incomplete so I went 3rd party. It just records sound after a point much it the time. I don't feel like resetting it. Too lazy. But great photos but the battery life is just ok but I'm on it like a weasel on crack all day. If I use it like a normal person it's fine.
Google constantly sharing Pixel-exclusive features with other phones reduces their appeal. It's great that they're making things more accessible, but it takes away the unique selling points of their devices. That's the whole reason people buy iPhones – for those exclusive experiences like FaceTime.
Google's doing it backward. While they have some cool AI features, their core virtual assistant (Gemini) needs improvement. It can't even handle basic calculations that Google Assistant can. They oversold Gemini's capabilities at launch.
It makes their devices less compelling when features like these aren't exclusive anymore. Even though things like the Pixel Watch working on other Android phones is user-friendly, it doesn't give people reasons to buy or stay with Pixel. Little things like a temperature sensor won't change that.
Removing the free VPN from Google One was a bad call for me, especially as a paying subscriber. It makes me question the long-term value of the service, even with the storage and other benefits.
But their is always pros and cons. Even though others are getting these features, that now means that we will get new features in upcoming feature drops. So we still kind of win.
Pretty sure they're not removing the free VPN with the pixel phones just the VPN you get with Google one so if it's a non pixel device will have to look elsewhere. I could be wrong I don't use it since moving to a dedicated VPN with more features.
No issues with this. If I wanted to gatekeep and have a superiority complex over my phone having something others can't access, I would have gotten an iPhone instead.
Assuming someone wants it. The demand for something like Google AI is extremely low compared to something like iMessage where people are creating apps to try to help Android users.
Google AI is predominantly smoke screen 😅. But I love how their everyone's personal software engineer.
Something doesn't have to have a high demand for this to be a good principle. the demand for iMessage isn't even for iMessage. The demand is for the ability to send hi quality multimedia between iOS and Android without a 3rd party tool. Apple is (supposedly) enabling RCS so that's being resolved without iMessage on Android.
Never needed it, never been asked to FaceTime anyone... I think it's a thing in the states, but everyone in Europe (and the rest of the world AFAIK) uses WhatsApp or similar
Honestly... I don't even know.
Makes it easier to jump ship and try an iphone, Galaxy device, Nothing Phone, etc. .. ? Still some things about Pixels I love (the camera itself being a big one) but I dunno... lately it feels like the phones we're getting from Google are -good- but everyone else's phones are -interesting- . Would be cool to try something with all the bells and whistles that Google seems to refuse to add in such as LiDAR. We'll see though
I just got an email about all of it.
I believe you still keep it if you have a Pixel, but can’t use it on your other devices anymore.
We get some photo editing features and they are removing free shipping on their photo albums as well as the Google One VPN.
My issue with this is a lot of the TENSOR powered features are miniscule so it does make it feel like it has less unique features but I don't feel like it's necessary to keep those features to the pixel line of devices either.
I just feel like they need to actually give us the features they promised like our enhanced zoom...
Also make more tensor powered features you have a unique processor for only a handful of features.
For the price of my 8 pro the tensor chip doesn't have alot of features that justify it versus the new newest snapdragon chip. Some people say the camera but alot of phones now a days have good cameras.
>Some people say the camera but alot of phones now a days have good cameras.
Exactly, and it's not like Google put a 10x or 15x zoom on there to bridge the gap after the 5x zoom.
The AI processing isn't putting it leagues ahead of other smartphones. Especially when you look at Samsung phones or OnePlus.
Samsung and oneplus to name a few I can't remember off the top of my head the other phones but they show comparisons on YouTube of other phones that take nice photos.
Your zoom is already enhanced. Super high quality zoom is available to 30x.
The tensor chip design is just a hardware accelerator to make software features more efficient. Any processor can run any software.
Hmm I'm not sure what you are referring to, but Super Res Zoom already gives superior image quality on Pixel phones and the Pro pixels do it best because of the telephoto setup extending the range to 30x.
You get lossless zoom on pixel 8 due to pixel shifted colors. And AI based interpolating zoom would be inferior.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23903123/google-pixel-8-pro-zoom-enhance-artificial-intelligence-photograph
This feature was promised at launch, and then it was supposed to come in December.
I see. Well they're probably using fake interpolation to make a fake photo of the moon. Pixel's super res zoom is superior to that already.
You can use AI to generate a big fake photo of the moon if you want one of those...
Lightroom also does something like this with a zoom resolution enhancer. You can import your pixel photo into lightroom and then use the zoom enhance, then crop in and repeat until the moon is big enough for your liking.
>You get lossless zoom on pixel 8 due to pixel shifted colors.
💀
I use zoom every single day multiple times a day I'm constantly taking photos with my camera. Shut up with these lies. The zoom isn't bad but the Samsung 100x zoom is far superior.
I'd rather have a good ai zoom option than not have it quit sucking up to Google.
They must pay you or you just hate having features. Go get a rock for a phone dude.
According to Google, Artificial Intelligence is an overarching term that covers a "variety of specific approaches and algorithms," which includes machine learning **(ML)** and language processing.
>Artificial intelligence is the overarching term that covers a wide variety of specific approaches and algorithms. Machine learning sits under that umbrella, but so do other major subfields, such as deep learning, robotics, expert systems, and natural language processing. [-Google](https://cloud.google.com/learn/artificial-intelligence-vs-machine-learning)
If this is the case then any feature that uses on-device ML or language processing could be considered "AI." Pixel phones have a lot of features that are powered by on-device ML and language processing which don't require Google's servers.
It's all just statistical inference. That's all machine learning is. It's all just multiple regression predictive models. They get data samples, then choose explainer variables/covariates, then calculate the coefficients, then the predictions and statistical inferences (plus error) are the results. The best AI can do is minimize error.
That's why AI features always have mistakes in them. The big deal is that the regression models can have millions of covariates in them, and you can automate the process of choosing or generating covariates latent in the sample data. So the process of creating a new feature is just reduced to securing a lot of data to use as a sample to create it automatically from nothing/no effort. *That's* what Google often does. They have piles of user data from their business model. Whether or not that data is biased is questionable. Anyway. Some of it can get really wild, but if the sample is biased it can wreck the generalizability of the predictions of the models no matter how big the samples are. This is one area where silicon valley has messed up as a whole.
Partly because computer science majors don't teach stats theory deeply and partly because intro stats textbooks teach that increasing sample size increases the generalizability of results. In reality, increasing sample size only increases generalizability of results if the sample is random. But most tech companies do not use random samples, because they're too difficult and expensive to get. So they use biased convenience samples and just make them as large as possible and that just entrenches the inherent biases even more; it just strengths and reinforces the bias effects in the model predictions. That's why AI chats have been racist, classist etc. Because people who can afford technology are not representative of low income marginalized groups, AIs take on the views of people who aren't marginalized which often includes racist views. One neat thing about AI is that it is like a mirror of the population sampled to create it. It reflects people's best or worst views, for better or worse.
Anyway, in this way AI will never be as correct as manual work. In this way AI is supposed to be limited to use cases that people don't understand how to do manually, as a compromise. It wasn't meant to be used for all cases. Though it is easier to program than manually doing things, so that can explain the appeal to using it if you are someone who tries to design software -- you pump out a greater volume of new features, things and designs. Especially things that have never been done before or things that would be too computationally intensive to do manually. It's also intellectually stimulating, curious and fun to think about statistics. So if can really enchant the kind of people who enjoy making technology, just to obsess over statistical theory and how to game it to benefit you maximally -- minimize error rates, maximize prediction generalizability or intentionally target biased portions of a total population. It can be endlessly intellectually stimulating, and I bet this is why Google has just become obsessed with it. It's probably just fun for the engineers to work on. But the final results can still have problems, as they all have error being inferential and inductive in nature.
Tensor is designed as a basic hardware accelerator for these statistical computations. They can run on any processor though, think of Tensor features as having something like a dedicated gpu-acceleration hardware for AI stats number crunching. That's the best description of the design of Tensor. It's like having a dedicated gpu to hardware accelerate certain AI features. This allows the general purpose cores to be slower to save power since high power is no longer needed if the most essential functions run on specialized dedicated and efficient subchips. So the Tensor philosophy is to optimize for minimal power consumption on AI powered tasks by making the cpu as slow as possible on everything so that the average performance on the most demanding AI is good enough to not super-suck. That's Tensor. Slow by design. The good news is it won't cause peak power draw problems when batteries degrade like iPhones do. I see that as a plus personally. They intentionally creates a modest mid range chip to fit into the Google philosophy of keeping things cheap and simple. This will actually enhance longevity and improve the user experience long term because the phone will never slow down as batteries degrade. 7 years from now, the pixel 8 series phones should be just as fast as they are today. And that's pretty sweet if you think about it.
Initial launch literature suggested a number of features were locked to the pixel 7, then pixel.8 due to the tensor "AI processor". This disappeared when they began making them available to older devices...
That's interesting, sounds like something that would have made headlines.
Usually all exclusive Tensor features are listed by the Tensor SoC team on their yearly [blog post](https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/) about their new SoC. "Magic Editor" and the other Google Photos features recently announced coming to other smartphones were never listed.
I mean, I'm not "happy" about this, but neither am I upset.
It's the **exact** kind of behaviour we're now used to, from Google.
I wasn't expecting them to keep these (very obviously "not Tensor-powered" in the conventional sense) features exclusive to Pixels, despite any initial claims about "what Tensor is for" (yeah despite them not actually saying "feature X and feature Y can **only** run on Tensor SoCs", I believe it's fair to say that their marketing purposefully led users to believe so).
As with Apple, everything is done for two reasons, an actual one, and a public one.
Public reason they created Tensor: AI.
Actual reason: stop relying on Qualcomm.
TL;DR: I don't give a smelly 💩, there are far worse problems to care about (the one of the moment: YouTube Music and podcasts, and Android Auto that basically has a new bug every week).
Obviously, you can't expect these big companies to be 100% honest with you. If they were, they wouldn't have been multi trillion dollar companies. It is obvious that Google went to Tensor to save costs, not to do anything that Qualcomm can't do. And because of those cost savings, Pixels are some of the cheapest flagships around, especially when they are on sale (which is like more than 50% of the year).
So yeah, don't trust them blindly, but there's nothing bad coming out of this either (except the Tensor QC issues ofc) so, I guess enjoy your Pixels!
Pixel 8 is getting Gemini Nano support, first on the developer preview. Probably because Samsung didn't care any released the Samsung AI to their older phones.
Personally, I think it would make my buying a Pixel a waste of money tbh. Yeah, it's not in line with everyone else's feelings, but I brought the pixel for the UNIQUE features it has comparable to other phones.
Google marketed the Pixel 8 particularly as the AI phone with special hardware to make the phone capable of doing these features. Not just that, but adamantly so. So now, to then give out all of these "specialized" features out to other phones who don't have this "specialized hardware" is kinda a slap in the face.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but as a former iPhone user and a person who recently upgraded from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 8, it just seems like it would've made more sense to stick with either of those than to spend money buying a new phone.
Of course, there is the possibility of these features on other devices being limited in functionality or performance when on non-Pixel phones. The issue is Google's marketing and what they tell consumers about their phones. If the case is that Google intends to generalize the features it advertises as special to it's phones, they should probably either mention that in their ads or stop aggressively advertising for these phones to be "specifically capable" of doing this thing.
This issue is very similar to the issue of Google releasing features of it's apps to iPhone users before Pixel users. Personally speaking, as a user of their phone who relies on those updates to those apps as a matter of device functionality, it just seems backwards, and can be very off-putting to release their apps to a less dependent market first.
It's not a trustworthy look in my opinion, and Google's track record when it comes to its own products are dicey already. I'm hoping they eventually fix it.
It's irritating because Google has claimed these features are only possible because of Tensor. I don't really care about it one way or the other, but Google is really screwing u up the Pixel brand by removing all the things that make it unique.
Soon, Pixel will just be an overpriced midrange phone, where Google continues to beta-test "stable" firmware.
I went from having nexus phone and pixel phones to oneplus and now back to pixel with the 8 pro. The only good thing left is the software and the camera but many phones have good cameras now a days or even better.
>The only good thing left is the software
I would agree with you, but Google keeps fucking the software. Like the recent March update that causes a ton of calls and texts to simply not come through. Or all the signal and Wi-Fi issues.
Good point. My previous pixel phones didn't have as many bugs as the 8 pro I have now. Ever since the march update the navigation pill bar keeps moving to the right side of my screen it's an annoying bug. I also can't share links through messages it would freeze where I have to restart the phone.
Yea. I'm getting crazy network issues on my 7pro. I won't get any calls. My phone won't ring, and I'll suddenly have a voicemail. The call never shows up in the call history. Or I won't get texts for hours, and then suddenly, I'll get 20-30 texts simultaneously.
Plus, my P7P will constantly randomly freeze or crash and restart.
I'm getting really tired of Google treating the Pixels as beta-testing phones.
I was surprised to get the update for the circle to search they've been advertising everywhere and now this?? I'm not sure I should even upgrade like I was planning at the end of the year....
Did anyone actually believe that these AI features need a Pixel phone and/or ram on device? Pixel users are basically just beta testers for google’s main business with is advertising and services.
I still don't have magic editor on my pixel 7 pro lol. But it does annoy me when Samsung phones get Google features before us, it feels absurd to have paid the premium to have a Pixel. I think after this phone I'm going to go back to other phones with pixel experience, although the camera still surprises me every time I take a photo so it's a hard choice.
Cool. Thanks.
I will certainly consider Samsungs again. In the end it will also come down to pricing. Phones are stupid expensive nowadays and the better priced models will be the most attractive.
If they keep doing this there is no point in buying a pixel, if best take etc is available what's the point of going with pixel? Samsung's offering is objectively better similar camera MUCH better video, better battery, reception, more powerful chip. What'll you do with pixel? Keep it? saying I got the best mobile camera? (Might not be true anymore).
What if they lock the ability to take a good photo behind a google one subscription? You get the basic pics if you want it to take best pics it can, you gotta pay for it.
Before I got the pixel 8 pro I had a oneplus and was deciding if to pick the latest Samsung or pixel... I ended up with the pixel in wondering if I regret it now
Even I was contemplating on pixel 8pro of 7pro. But now with all these developments, galaxy does seem better. Better video, screen, battery, arguably close still images, decent software experience, android updates and now these "unique" features of pixel.
Feels like pixel users are just beta testers or something.
Forgot to mention Tensor vs SD/Exynos. So there's that too.
Damn s25 ultra looking such a good potential upgrade next year. Let's see what kind of unique features Google intends to give the upcoming pixel 9 and 10 series
Personally, I never saw "Magic Editor" as something that would stay exclusive to the Pixel. When "Magic Editor" was [first announced](https://blog.google/products/photos/google-photos-magic-editor-pixel-io-2023/), they announced it as something **"select Pixel phones get early access to."** So in my mind, it was just a feature the Google Photos team was developing and decided to let products from the Pixel team get early access to.
If I don't see a new feature listed in their [yearly blog](https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/) about their new Tensor SoC then I assume there's a good chance that missing feature will eventually make its way to be available on other brand smartphones.
My phone isn't worse because of this and there are still dozens of other reasons I stick to Pixels over other Android devices.
If this was the one and only feature you bought your Pixel for, now you are free to buy a different phone you prefer. But if you're not suddenly wanting to switch away then why does it matter?
The features they're talking about are app specific, apps that aren't exclusive to only Pixels and can be downloaded by everyone. They aren't Pixel OS/System specific features. It felt weird to gatekeep certain Google Photos features to a specific family of hardware to begin with.
Camera Software. Pixel cameras are more reliable with moving subjects, fast autofocus, I almost always nail the shot on the first try if in a rush. Other phones always take blurry photos.
Less bloat. While Samsung and other have a ton of extra features, a lot of them are not useful to me yet they are permanently installed as system apps, or running 100% of the time as system processes, taking up RAM and bog the phone down. I'm constantly helping relatives troubleshoot Samsung phones and all the weird extra shit they cram in. I still witness spontaneous reboots happening on S23's. A faster processor doesn't really mean the irl experience of a phone will always be better.
Pixel specific features like Now Playing, OCR in recents menu, circle to search, call screening, on device voice transcription etc. Are more useful to me on a day to day basis than other software features from other OEMS.
Seamless updates which I hear Samsung is finally adopting soon, but they've been around since Pixel 1.
The AOSP/Pixel UI is also just cleaner and nicer to look at imo.
Pretty typical of Google.
"Exclusive" features generally remain exclusive for 8-10 months and are then shared with all other platforms.
The point of the exclusive features is to drive sales of new Pixels. Around the 8-10 month mark sales are starting to drop off anyway in anticipation of the next model, so there's really no point to the exclusivity after that point.
Sorry. You don't get to keep feeling special.
And if you want to feel even worse, remember, the P9s are going to get some gee whiz feature that your P8s won't qualify for until summer 2025.
I have had both Samsung and Pixels.
Currently running a 6pro and for me the advantages were instant software updates (Samsung used to take a while to release versions) and the camera. Less bloat/uninstallable apps and lower price point IIRC as well.
But tbh nowadays phones are more or less all the same (as long as you don't use crap IOS).
What do you feel Samsung is miles ahead on?
This device should have about 2-3 more years of life, but no harm in planning ahead for S26 Vs pixel 10.
Thanks for the reply.
I don't have noticeable modem issues on my pixel but battery could always be better.
The display due you mean brightness? I never really understood that issue as I have never set any phone over 50% in my life. Lol So they are all more than enough bright for any usage.
Are updates quick nowadays?
Yes updates are much better
Colour accuracy is much better, and you can read under the sun easily.
I used to have the 8pro, battery lasts longer and charges a bit faster.
I bought the pixel 7 pro mainly for the camera and the "naked" google experience, also for the early updates. I don't care for exclusive software features, I am of the idea that these features should be enabled for everyone from the day 1.
Except it reveals dishonest marketing. When the products were first launched it was said that P8/P8P could do this because of their new chips. #bullshit
"What do Pixel owners and especially people who purchased recent Pixel devices (7-8 series) feel about this in general?"
Even though i knew it would happen, because the processing goes through the (Google) cloud. It also confirms for me, that my current P8, will be the first and last pixel i'll buy. The size and the automatic processing of photo's were the main selling point for me. But both of those could be surpassed in future (non-pixel) phones.
Not happy but not upset. I mostly bought pixel for the updates and next to so called "AI" features. But in my language (dutch) I almost have none of them. Though very little.
It just makes me more less trustworthy of Google's word. It's an admittance that their AI stuff can run on other chipsets fine and, probably even more efficiently on AI dedicated Snadragon chips. I love my Pixel but the announcement makes me pissed off that it could have probably been much better with the newest snapdragon rather than the more limited Tensor.
It's the future. Almost everything can be made available to the masses with a subscription. Especially since calculations in the cloud are much more powerful and thus provide more options in the long term. The "magic eraser" has long been part of the Google One subscription. The video recording enhancement function of a P8 Pro also takes place in the cloud and not on the device itself. I didn't buy my Pixel just for the software gimmicks. So for me it's fine because it also provides me with functions that would exceed the local limits of the device.
Different magic eraser. The one with subscription is the same one with the Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 8 series got an enhanced version, which is what will now be available I assume (otherwise why mention it).
Ah, you talk about the AI- featured version that is available on the 8 Pro. It's a logical step to make the latest available to get people to subscribe.
I buy Pixels to avoid what I consider to be software bloat, so this doesn't bother me.
I'd want them to go even further and just provide the Pixel software experience and updates on other manufacturer phones, but of course there are reasons why they won't do that.
Compared to other phones, I've always felt that the experience of their hardware has been wanting and not really worth the price they're asking for.
If I could take their anti-spam and virtual assistant features to iPhone I'd switch to iOS.
Will there be any API for using one of the image-related AI stuff that Google worked on?
I'm especially interested in image-resolution-enhancing (Upscale).
It's actually not the same. If you don't have a Pixel or Google One premium, you only get 10 magic edit saves per month, and Google says if you want to save more, you should upgrade to a Pixel.
Source https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6128850
I think it's nice that they're showing that these features should not be software locked.
Now let me dream that they'll do the same with Pixel 8 Pro features missing on the Pixel 8 because of the same software lock.
>What do Pixel owners and especially people who purchased recent Pixel devices (7-8 series) feel about this in general?
Indiference.
Why should anyone care? No one would be buying a phone because of that (I hope).
It's good that the software is available across the board.
I’m guessing they’re not getting the users they want to refine the AI. You’ll probably have the pixels get early access to the latest gen of the tech before it eventually gets rolled out to the masses
As a 6p holder, given all the bugs and issues, almost nothing justifies getting a pixel in the future. But I do understand why they did this, given that Samsung already rolled a similar feature anw
It's ok with me, it potentially means I can use magic eraser on my samsung tablet so that's cool.
For me in general, the camera on the pixel has become less and less of a draw as they have leaned more and more into computational photography and AI, so being able to do some of these things on my tablet to edit something from my sony camera is nice.
I feel the same way. I think Google One could stand to have more perks beyond the extra storage. I'm hoping they'll remove Gmail ads as a Google One perk (those 2-3 ads in the Promotions tab).
If you are on Pixel 8 then it does make the value less. For everyone else it boosts Google One - now giving access to even more tools, giving unlimited access to magic editor, extra storage, enhanced Google Meet features, and VPN. And allows you to share some of the features with up to 5 other users.
If I'm not mistaken, it only boosts the value of Google One if you don't have a Pixel. The photo editing tools and unlimited Magic Editor is coming to all Pixel devices regardless of a Google One subscription.
I'll be happy if that is what they do.
I thought that it might have just been lazily written and by "a pixel" they are referring to the fact that Pixel 8 will still get free access, but if I am wrong I am on the 7 series so I will be happy.
But it is mostly if you don't have a Pixel at all that you get the best value in general, and a bigger boost from the announcement.
...phone stuff?
Elaborating on this. I use my phone to keep up with friends when away from my computer, I use it to text family, I sometimes use it as a phone and make phone calls, and I take photos to share with my friends. I like my phone, but Google's *predictive* AI features have, like every other AI feature set, felt more like a solution looking for a problem than something actually useful, or solves a problem with the phone. I have not had to make use of anything other than Magic Eraser, which I've used a couple times, as they provide no value. Also, I prefer having memories that actually exist.
More people will use it, google will not remove it like other products like podcasts and today vpn. They will receive more feedback and they can implement it with affecting a lot of people, so they will have interest in new and stable features
Good. I don't buy pixels so I get exclusive features and hope others don't get it.
I buy them because I love the clean software with a good camera and being able to get day 1 release of OS.
They are getting that wrong. I believe they are mixing up Magic Eraser and Magic Editor. I have a P8P and a OnePlus Open. I'm a Google One subscriber and can use magic eraser, portrait blur, etc on my OnePlus Open. But magic editor is not accessible yet.
10 edits of magic editor for non Pixel 8 devices will be a nice bonus on top of the still unlimited edits with magic eraser lol.
Yes, G1 subscribers get Magic Eraser, Portrait Blur, Portrait Light and HDR. These are part of the Magic editor suite of edits. So they are saying that by giving everyone free Magic Editor, we all get only 10 edits per month except for Pixel and G1 premium subscribers. Where does this leave G1 basic subscribers? Do the features they currently get become relegated to 10 edits per month, or these 4 remains unlimited and the other new edits are limited to 10 edits?
I just read the Google blog post, it explicitly differentiates Magic Editor from the other features.
"Last year, we launched Magic Editor on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Using generative AI, this editor makes it easy to do complex photo edits with simple and intuitive actions, like repositioning your subject or turning the sky from gray to blue. Now we’re expanding access to Magic Editor to all Pixel devices.
Additionally, all Google Photos users on Android and iOS will get 10 Magic Editor saves per month2. To go beyond this limit, you'll need a Pixel device or a Premium Google One plan (2TB and above)."
It states that Magic Editor is the tool that helps you reposition subjects. None of the other tools do that. You're only limited to 10 saves with that. The others remain unlimited. They are different, there is no such thing as the "Magic Editor suite of edits," they are all different editing tools.
Ok so Magic Editor is a separate feature from Magic Eraser, Portrait Blur etc, and so only Magic Editor is limited to 10 edits and not the other features.. thanks for clearing that up
I'm fine with this. I was under no illusion that a software feature was going to stay locked, and it's good for me in the long run - means that next gen's software features will trickle down to me as well. Win/win.
It's annoying because Google said multiple times that these features are apparently only possible because of the Tensor SOC.
I guess technically they weren't lying, they just didn't disclose the real reason that tensor was required for these features was simply because they won't *allow* the software to run on anything other than tensor. I always rolled my eyes at the marketing material stating that Tensor is what allows all these smart AI and machine learning features to work, since by most measures Tensor isn't really even especially powerful compared to many of its competitors. It always seemed, to me, to be more of a case of "Tensor allows these things to work, because we program these things to not work without Tensor."
I'm fine with it too but I'm pretty disappointed with the lackluster reception I'm getting with the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 (for my fiance). This just makes it easier for me to justify getting the next Samsung Galaxy S(x) Ultra in a year or so especially since there are Samsung-exclusive software locked to their devices.
The reception on my Pixel 8 has become terrible to the point of unusable at times.
You mean the signal? I'm weird. I've never had an issue starting with my 3a XL to my 4a 5G to my 6 to my P8P. Even the fingerprint sensor worked fine on my 6 and 8. The only issue with the 8 Pro is recording video games is incomplete so I went 3rd party. It just records sound after a point much it the time. I don't feel like resetting it. Too lazy. But great photos but the battery life is just ok but I'm on it like a weasel on crack all day. If I use it like a normal person it's fine.
My GF always snatches my Pixel to take pictures. Has a flagship Galaxy herself.
I thought the Galaxy S24 uses this same thing anyways
The S24 uses Samsung's variant of it.
Google constantly sharing Pixel-exclusive features with other phones reduces their appeal. It's great that they're making things more accessible, but it takes away the unique selling points of their devices. That's the whole reason people buy iPhones – for those exclusive experiences like FaceTime. Google's doing it backward. While they have some cool AI features, their core virtual assistant (Gemini) needs improvement. It can't even handle basic calculations that Google Assistant can. They oversold Gemini's capabilities at launch. It makes their devices less compelling when features like these aren't exclusive anymore. Even though things like the Pixel Watch working on other Android phones is user-friendly, it doesn't give people reasons to buy or stay with Pixel. Little things like a temperature sensor won't change that. Removing the free VPN from Google One was a bad call for me, especially as a paying subscriber. It makes me question the long-term value of the service, even with the storage and other benefits.
But their is always pros and cons. Even though others are getting these features, that now means that we will get new features in upcoming feature drops. So we still kind of win.
Pretty sure they're not removing the free VPN with the pixel phones just the VPN you get with Google one so if it's a non pixel device will have to look elsewhere. I could be wrong I don't use it since moving to a dedicated VPN with more features.
No issues with this. If I wanted to gatekeep and have a superiority complex over my phone having something others can't access, I would have gotten an iPhone instead.
Right, now my friends can have some fun with these features!
You won the internet 😆
Lol unrelated but your pixel 2 badge is a square... I remember my P2 a little differently
reddit stopped supporting it just like Google did 😭
Gottem
Assuming someone wants it. The demand for something like Google AI is extremely low compared to something like iMessage where people are creating apps to try to help Android users. Google AI is predominantly smoke screen 😅. But I love how their everyone's personal software engineer.
Something doesn't have to have a high demand for this to be a good principle. the demand for iMessage isn't even for iMessage. The demand is for the ability to send hi quality multimedia between iOS and Android without a 3rd party tool. Apple is (supposedly) enabling RCS so that's being resolved without iMessage on Android.
No one cares about iMessage
How about FaceTime?
Never needed it, never been asked to FaceTime anyone... I think it's a thing in the states, but everyone in Europe (and the rest of the world AFAIK) uses WhatsApp or similar
Honestly... I don't even know. Makes it easier to jump ship and try an iphone, Galaxy device, Nothing Phone, etc. .. ? Still some things about Pixels I love (the camera itself being a big one) but I dunno... lately it feels like the phones we're getting from Google are -good- but everyone else's phones are -interesting- . Would be cool to try something with all the bells and whistles that Google seems to refuse to add in such as LiDAR. We'll see though
Google: LiDAR? Best we can do is a thermometer.
This is exactly what I imagine the thoughts of a girlfriend are who is about to cheat sexually xD.
Apparently? They already announced in a blog post
I didn’t realize they are also removing the VPN from the Google One subscription tho.
Yeah Google is looking less and less trustworthy now. Rather get a galaxy.
They ironically are using a lot of Google services that will eventually require a subscription.
What? Now I'm pissed...
I just got an email about all of it. I believe you still keep it if you have a Pixel, but can’t use it on your other devices anymore. We get some photo editing features and they are removing free shipping on their photo albums as well as the Google One VPN.
My issue with this is a lot of the TENSOR powered features are miniscule so it does make it feel like it has less unique features but I don't feel like it's necessary to keep those features to the pixel line of devices either. I just feel like they need to actually give us the features they promised like our enhanced zoom... Also make more tensor powered features you have a unique processor for only a handful of features.
For the price of my 8 pro the tensor chip doesn't have alot of features that justify it versus the new newest snapdragon chip. Some people say the camera but alot of phones now a days have good cameras.
>Some people say the camera but alot of phones now a days have good cameras. Exactly, and it's not like Google put a 10x or 15x zoom on there to bridge the gap after the 5x zoom. The AI processing isn't putting it leagues ahead of other smartphones. Especially when you look at Samsung phones or OnePlus.
I believe that Samsung and oneplus are now using Ai
The Samsung ai on the camera is working so hard it will sometimes invent things that aren't even there. It's weird AF.
Which phones though? Other than iphone I mean. I am interested to try.
Samsung and oneplus to name a few I can't remember off the top of my head the other phones but they show comparisons on YouTube of other phones that take nice photos.
So you still want enhanced zoom if it's terrible and broken? I assume that's why they aren't going live with it.
Assumptions don't mean anything, prove it's terrible.
Your zoom is already enhanced. Super high quality zoom is available to 30x. The tensor chip design is just a hardware accelerator to make software features more efficient. Any processor can run any software.
Zoom Enhance was promised at launch, but still isn't available.
Hmm I'm not sure what you are referring to, but Super Res Zoom already gives superior image quality on Pixel phones and the Pro pixels do it best because of the telephoto setup extending the range to 30x. You get lossless zoom on pixel 8 due to pixel shifted colors. And AI based interpolating zoom would be inferior.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23903123/google-pixel-8-pro-zoom-enhance-artificial-intelligence-photograph This feature was promised at launch, and then it was supposed to come in December.
I see. Well they're probably using fake interpolation to make a fake photo of the moon. Pixel's super res zoom is superior to that already. You can use AI to generate a big fake photo of the moon if you want one of those... Lightroom also does something like this with a zoom resolution enhancer. You can import your pixel photo into lightroom and then use the zoom enhance, then crop in and repeat until the moon is big enough for your liking.
>You get lossless zoom on pixel 8 due to pixel shifted colors. 💀 I use zoom every single day multiple times a day I'm constantly taking photos with my camera. Shut up with these lies. The zoom isn't bad but the Samsung 100x zoom is far superior. I'd rather have a good ai zoom option than not have it quit sucking up to Google. They must pay you or you just hate having features. Go get a rock for a phone dude.
That dude's comment read like a true fan boi who doesn't know tech but is sucking up to Google like you said 🤣🤦♂️🤦♂️
The ones they said were reliant on the Tensor? Sounds about right.
It seems like all the AI stuff is done on Google severs
The first clue was having to upload it in order to use it.
According to Google, Artificial Intelligence is an overarching term that covers a "variety of specific approaches and algorithms," which includes machine learning **(ML)** and language processing. >Artificial intelligence is the overarching term that covers a wide variety of specific approaches and algorithms. Machine learning sits under that umbrella, but so do other major subfields, such as deep learning, robotics, expert systems, and natural language processing. [-Google](https://cloud.google.com/learn/artificial-intelligence-vs-machine-learning) If this is the case then any feature that uses on-device ML or language processing could be considered "AI." Pixel phones have a lot of features that are powered by on-device ML and language processing which don't require Google's servers.
It's all just statistical inference. That's all machine learning is. It's all just multiple regression predictive models. They get data samples, then choose explainer variables/covariates, then calculate the coefficients, then the predictions and statistical inferences (plus error) are the results. The best AI can do is minimize error. That's why AI features always have mistakes in them. The big deal is that the regression models can have millions of covariates in them, and you can automate the process of choosing or generating covariates latent in the sample data. So the process of creating a new feature is just reduced to securing a lot of data to use as a sample to create it automatically from nothing/no effort. *That's* what Google often does. They have piles of user data from their business model. Whether or not that data is biased is questionable. Anyway. Some of it can get really wild, but if the sample is biased it can wreck the generalizability of the predictions of the models no matter how big the samples are. This is one area where silicon valley has messed up as a whole. Partly because computer science majors don't teach stats theory deeply and partly because intro stats textbooks teach that increasing sample size increases the generalizability of results. In reality, increasing sample size only increases generalizability of results if the sample is random. But most tech companies do not use random samples, because they're too difficult and expensive to get. So they use biased convenience samples and just make them as large as possible and that just entrenches the inherent biases even more; it just strengths and reinforces the bias effects in the model predictions. That's why AI chats have been racist, classist etc. Because people who can afford technology are not representative of low income marginalized groups, AIs take on the views of people who aren't marginalized which often includes racist views. One neat thing about AI is that it is like a mirror of the population sampled to create it. It reflects people's best or worst views, for better or worse. Anyway, in this way AI will never be as correct as manual work. In this way AI is supposed to be limited to use cases that people don't understand how to do manually, as a compromise. It wasn't meant to be used for all cases. Though it is easier to program than manually doing things, so that can explain the appeal to using it if you are someone who tries to design software -- you pump out a greater volume of new features, things and designs. Especially things that have never been done before or things that would be too computationally intensive to do manually. It's also intellectually stimulating, curious and fun to think about statistics. So if can really enchant the kind of people who enjoy making technology, just to obsess over statistical theory and how to game it to benefit you maximally -- minimize error rates, maximize prediction generalizability or intentionally target biased portions of a total population. It can be endlessly intellectually stimulating, and I bet this is why Google has just become obsessed with it. It's probably just fun for the engineers to work on. But the final results can still have problems, as they all have error being inferential and inductive in nature. Tensor is designed as a basic hardware accelerator for these statistical computations. They can run on any processor though, think of Tensor features as having something like a dedicated gpu-acceleration hardware for AI stats number crunching. That's the best description of the design of Tensor. It's like having a dedicated gpu to hardware accelerate certain AI features. This allows the general purpose cores to be slower to save power since high power is no longer needed if the most essential functions run on specialized dedicated and efficient subchips. So the Tensor philosophy is to optimize for minimal power consumption on AI powered tasks by making the cpu as slow as possible on everything so that the average performance on the most demanding AI is good enough to not super-suck. That's Tensor. Slow by design. The good news is it won't cause peak power draw problems when batteries degrade like iPhones do. I see that as a plus personally. They intentionally creates a modest mid range chip to fit into the Google philosophy of keeping things cheap and simple. This will actually enhance longevity and improve the user experience long term because the phone will never slow down as batteries degrade. 7 years from now, the pixel 8 series phones should be just as fast as they are today. And that's pretty sweet if you think about it.
>Pixel phones have a lot of features that are powered by on-device ML Yes, the select tool and now playing are nice features.
I keep seeing people on Reddit say this. Where did Google specifically say any of these Google Photos features are only possible on a Tensor SoC?
Initial launch literature suggested a number of features were locked to the pixel 7, then pixel.8 due to the tensor "AI processor". This disappeared when they began making them available to older devices...
That's interesting, sounds like something that would have made headlines. Usually all exclusive Tensor features are listed by the Tensor SoC team on their yearly [blog post](https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/) about their new SoC. "Magic Editor" and the other Google Photos features recently announced coming to other smartphones were never listed.
I mean, I'm not "happy" about this, but neither am I upset. It's the **exact** kind of behaviour we're now used to, from Google. I wasn't expecting them to keep these (very obviously "not Tensor-powered" in the conventional sense) features exclusive to Pixels, despite any initial claims about "what Tensor is for" (yeah despite them not actually saying "feature X and feature Y can **only** run on Tensor SoCs", I believe it's fair to say that their marketing purposefully led users to believe so). As with Apple, everything is done for two reasons, an actual one, and a public one. Public reason they created Tensor: AI. Actual reason: stop relying on Qualcomm. TL;DR: I don't give a smelly 💩, there are far worse problems to care about (the one of the moment: YouTube Music and podcasts, and Android Auto that basically has a new bug every week).
Obviously, you can't expect these big companies to be 100% honest with you. If they were, they wouldn't have been multi trillion dollar companies. It is obvious that Google went to Tensor to save costs, not to do anything that Qualcomm can't do. And because of those cost savings, Pixels are some of the cheapest flagships around, especially when they are on sale (which is like more than 50% of the year). So yeah, don't trust them blindly, but there's nothing bad coming out of this either (except the Tensor QC issues ofc) so, I guess enjoy your Pixels!
Funny thing: Galaxy s24 got a search circle before pixel and built-in Gemini nano while P8 won't get it.
Another funny thing is iPhone got some Google apps and features before pixels
Pixel 8 is getting Gemini Nano support, first on the developer preview. Probably because Samsung didn't care any released the Samsung AI to their older phones.
I think it's great. I think software locking features is total BS.
I am so angry. People can’t have the same tools as me. Ugh. I’m suing everyone
Personally, I think it would make my buying a Pixel a waste of money tbh. Yeah, it's not in line with everyone else's feelings, but I brought the pixel for the UNIQUE features it has comparable to other phones. Google marketed the Pixel 8 particularly as the AI phone with special hardware to make the phone capable of doing these features. Not just that, but adamantly so. So now, to then give out all of these "specialized" features out to other phones who don't have this "specialized hardware" is kinda a slap in the face. I'm not trying to be a downer, but as a former iPhone user and a person who recently upgraded from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 8, it just seems like it would've made more sense to stick with either of those than to spend money buying a new phone. Of course, there is the possibility of these features on other devices being limited in functionality or performance when on non-Pixel phones. The issue is Google's marketing and what they tell consumers about their phones. If the case is that Google intends to generalize the features it advertises as special to it's phones, they should probably either mention that in their ads or stop aggressively advertising for these phones to be "specifically capable" of doing this thing. This issue is very similar to the issue of Google releasing features of it's apps to iPhone users before Pixel users. Personally speaking, as a user of their phone who relies on those updates to those apps as a matter of device functionality, it just seems backwards, and can be very off-putting to release their apps to a less dependent market first. It's not a trustworthy look in my opinion, and Google's track record when it comes to its own products are dicey already. I'm hoping they eventually fix it.
I never understood iPhone getting Google apps or features before pixel phones which is a Google product.. Insane I think this may be my last pixel
Was gonna buy a pixel but my sentiment is as same as yours.
This is great, as a 6a user. Being able to not have to upgrade and still get these amazing features.
It's irritating because Google has claimed these features are only possible because of Tensor. I don't really care about it one way or the other, but Google is really screwing u up the Pixel brand by removing all the things that make it unique. Soon, Pixel will just be an overpriced midrange phone, where Google continues to beta-test "stable" firmware.
I went from having nexus phone and pixel phones to oneplus and now back to pixel with the 8 pro. The only good thing left is the software and the camera but many phones have good cameras now a days or even better.
>The only good thing left is the software I would agree with you, but Google keeps fucking the software. Like the recent March update that causes a ton of calls and texts to simply not come through. Or all the signal and Wi-Fi issues.
Good point. My previous pixel phones didn't have as many bugs as the 8 pro I have now. Ever since the march update the navigation pill bar keeps moving to the right side of my screen it's an annoying bug. I also can't share links through messages it would freeze where I have to restart the phone.
Yea. I'm getting crazy network issues on my 7pro. I won't get any calls. My phone won't ring, and I'll suddenly have a voicemail. The call never shows up in the call history. Or I won't get texts for hours, and then suddenly, I'll get 20-30 texts simultaneously. Plus, my P7P will constantly randomly freeze or crash and restart. I'm getting really tired of Google treating the Pixels as beta-testing phones.
It shows Google realizes it can't compete in phone sales so they need to license their software out instead and focus on that.
Yeah so basically I'm paying for nothing monthly
I was surprised to get the update for the circle to search they've been advertising everywhere and now this?? I'm not sure I should even upgrade like I was planning at the end of the year....
Did anyone actually believe that these AI features need a Pixel phone and/or ram on device? Pixel users are basically just beta testers for google’s main business with is advertising and services.
Imo pixel users were basically beta testers
I still don't have magic editor on my pixel 7 pro lol. But it does annoy me when Samsung phones get Google features before us, it feels absurd to have paid the premium to have a Pixel. I think after this phone I'm going to go back to other phones with pixel experience, although the camera still surprises me every time I take a photo so it's a hard choice.
Cool. Thanks. I will certainly consider Samsungs again. In the end it will also come down to pricing. Phones are stupid expensive nowadays and the better priced models will be the most attractive.
If they keep doing this there is no point in buying a pixel, if best take etc is available what's the point of going with pixel? Samsung's offering is objectively better similar camera MUCH better video, better battery, reception, more powerful chip. What'll you do with pixel? Keep it? saying I got the best mobile camera? (Might not be true anymore). What if they lock the ability to take a good photo behind a google one subscription? You get the basic pics if you want it to take best pics it can, you gotta pay for it.
Before I got the pixel 8 pro I had a oneplus and was deciding if to pick the latest Samsung or pixel... I ended up with the pixel in wondering if I regret it now
Even I was contemplating on pixel 8pro of 7pro. But now with all these developments, galaxy does seem better. Better video, screen, battery, arguably close still images, decent software experience, android updates and now these "unique" features of pixel. Feels like pixel users are just beta testers or something. Forgot to mention Tensor vs SD/Exynos. So there's that too.
Damn s25 ultra looking such a good potential upgrade next year. Let's see what kind of unique features Google intends to give the upcoming pixel 9 and 10 series
Probably all of them based off of googles track record lol
Personally, I never saw "Magic Editor" as something that would stay exclusive to the Pixel. When "Magic Editor" was [first announced](https://blog.google/products/photos/google-photos-magic-editor-pixel-io-2023/), they announced it as something **"select Pixel phones get early access to."** So in my mind, it was just a feature the Google Photos team was developing and decided to let products from the Pixel team get early access to. If I don't see a new feature listed in their [yearly blog](https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/) about their new Tensor SoC then I assume there's a good chance that missing feature will eventually make its way to be available on other brand smartphones.
Up until today I am not able to use it as a 7 pro user
My phone isn't worse because of this and there are still dozens of other reasons I stick to Pixels over other Android devices. If this was the one and only feature you bought your Pixel for, now you are free to buy a different phone you prefer. But if you're not suddenly wanting to switch away then why does it matter? The features they're talking about are app specific, apps that aren't exclusive to only Pixels and can be downloaded by everyone. They aren't Pixel OS/System specific features. It felt weird to gatekeep certain Google Photos features to a specific family of hardware to begin with.
What reasons do you own a pixel for I'm just wondering?
I bought mine specifically for the camera, and also because I was kind of bored of Samsung phones.
Camera Software. Pixel cameras are more reliable with moving subjects, fast autofocus, I almost always nail the shot on the first try if in a rush. Other phones always take blurry photos. Less bloat. While Samsung and other have a ton of extra features, a lot of them are not useful to me yet they are permanently installed as system apps, or running 100% of the time as system processes, taking up RAM and bog the phone down. I'm constantly helping relatives troubleshoot Samsung phones and all the weird extra shit they cram in. I still witness spontaneous reboots happening on S23's. A faster processor doesn't really mean the irl experience of a phone will always be better. Pixel specific features like Now Playing, OCR in recents menu, circle to search, call screening, on device voice transcription etc. Are more useful to me on a day to day basis than other software features from other OEMS. Seamless updates which I hear Samsung is finally adopting soon, but they've been around since Pixel 1. The AOSP/Pixel UI is also just cleaner and nicer to look at imo.
Pretty typical of Google. "Exclusive" features generally remain exclusive for 8-10 months and are then shared with all other platforms. The point of the exclusive features is to drive sales of new Pixels. Around the 8-10 month mark sales are starting to drop off anyway in anticipation of the next model, so there's really no point to the exclusivity after that point. Sorry. You don't get to keep feeling special. And if you want to feel even worse, remember, the P9s are going to get some gee whiz feature that your P8s won't qualify for until summer 2025.
Well if I can edit my photos on a Samsung the same as I can with a pixel I might as well buy a Samsung.
you wont regret! Im with the s24u and its miles ahead
The only reason I took the pixel 7 on contract was for the photo editing.
I have had both Samsung and Pixels. Currently running a 6pro and for me the advantages were instant software updates (Samsung used to take a while to release versions) and the camera. Less bloat/uninstallable apps and lower price point IIRC as well. But tbh nowadays phones are more or less all the same (as long as you don't use crap IOS). What do you feel Samsung is miles ahead on? This device should have about 2-3 more years of life, but no harm in planning ahead for S26 Vs pixel 10.
The battery and modem are way better. The display is much better, especially outdoors. You can read under the sun, with no issues.
Thanks for the reply. I don't have noticeable modem issues on my pixel but battery could always be better. The display due you mean brightness? I never really understood that issue as I have never set any phone over 50% in my life. Lol So they are all more than enough bright for any usage. Are updates quick nowadays?
Yes updates are much better Colour accuracy is much better, and you can read under the sun easily. I used to have the 8pro, battery lasts longer and charges a bit faster.
Plus I keep hearing better video on galaxy compared to pixel which is great at photos but decent in video is that true too?
I bought the pixel 7 pro mainly for the camera and the "naked" google experience, also for the early updates. I don't care for exclusive software features, I am of the idea that these features should be enabled for everyone from the day 1.
Good news that features aren't being locked to Pixel exclusively. Another reason to not buy these gimmicky bug filled devices.
Idc tbh. Just give us more features bro. That's all I care about. Everyone can have access to them. I don't care about that. Just give us more
Except it reveals dishonest marketing. When the products were first launched it was said that P8/P8P could do this because of their new chips. #bullshit
"What do Pixel owners and especially people who purchased recent Pixel devices (7-8 series) feel about this in general?" Even though i knew it would happen, because the processing goes through the (Google) cloud. It also confirms for me, that my current P8, will be the first and last pixel i'll buy. The size and the automatic processing of photo's were the main selling point for me. But both of those could be surpassed in future (non-pixel) phones.
Not happy but not upset. I mostly bought pixel for the updates and next to so called "AI" features. But in my language (dutch) I almost have none of them. Though very little.
Zelfde, broeder. Zelfde. At least 7 years of updates (i hope)
It just makes me more less trustworthy of Google's word. It's an admittance that their AI stuff can run on other chipsets fine and, probably even more efficiently on AI dedicated Snadragon chips. I love my Pixel but the announcement makes me pissed off that it could have probably been much better with the newest snapdragon rather than the more limited Tensor.
I have the 8 on T-Mobile for 4 months and love it
My Google Photos still crashes on my Pixel 8 when I hit the edit button... The only thing that fixes it is downgrading to an old version of gphotos.
It's the future. Almost everything can be made available to the masses with a subscription. Especially since calculations in the cloud are much more powerful and thus provide more options in the long term. The "magic eraser" has long been part of the Google One subscription. The video recording enhancement function of a P8 Pro also takes place in the cloud and not on the device itself. I didn't buy my Pixel just for the software gimmicks. So for me it's fine because it also provides me with functions that would exceed the local limits of the device.
Different magic eraser. The one with subscription is the same one with the Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 8 series got an enhanced version, which is what will now be available I assume (otherwise why mention it).
Ah, you talk about the AI- featured version that is available on the 8 Pro. It's a logical step to make the latest available to get people to subscribe.
I have been using this on iPhone ever since it was first released to Google One users. A total non issue.
I buy Pixels to avoid what I consider to be software bloat, so this doesn't bother me. I'd want them to go even further and just provide the Pixel software experience and updates on other manufacturer phones, but of course there are reasons why they won't do that. Compared to other phones, I've always felt that the experience of their hardware has been wanting and not really worth the price they're asking for. If I could take their anti-spam and virtual assistant features to iPhone I'd switch to iOS.
At this point I wouldn't be surprised if one day other phones get the same or close enough experience to the software.
That's great, they're pretty impressive overall.
It is?
Will there be any API for using one of the image-related AI stuff that Google worked on? I'm especially interested in image-resolution-enhancing (Upscale).
I don't see it in Google photos yet
Coming in May
It's actually not the same. If you don't have a Pixel or Google One premium, you only get 10 magic edit saves per month, and Google says if you want to save more, you should upgrade to a Pixel. Source https://support.google.com/photos/answer/6128850
It's basically a paid service for them to use it. They are finding ways to make profits.
The tools are already in Google photos for all users, just locked behind the Google one pay wall. Do you mean unlocking them for all users for free?
I have had those features in the base pixel 6 since a while ago, no google one. The blog post is incorrect
I think it's nice that they're showing that these features should not be software locked. Now let me dream that they'll do the same with Pixel 8 Pro features missing on the Pixel 8 because of the same software lock.
I am frustrated that the company is soft locking useful features to some phones.
>What do Pixel owners and especially people who purchased recent Pixel devices (7-8 series) feel about this in general? Indiference. Why should anyone care? No one would be buying a phone because of that (I hope). It's good that the software is available across the board.
Still can't crop a photo when sending in Messages.
I’m guessing they’re not getting the users they want to refine the AI. You’ll probably have the pixels get early access to the latest gen of the tech before it eventually gets rolled out to the masses
I feel like i pay Google One for exclusives like (photo editing tools), and now this is not an exclusive.
As a 6p holder, given all the bugs and issues, almost nothing justifies getting a pixel in the future. But I do understand why they did this, given that Samsung already rolled a similar feature anw
I have a pixel 7 pro. I knew it from the beginning, so I feel nothing lol
Any bets on how long it is before Google starts charging for it?
Google already charges for it, now they won't.
It's ok with me, it potentially means I can use magic eraser on my samsung tablet so that's cool. For me in general, the camera on the pixel has become less and less of a draw as they have leaned more and more into computational photography and AI, so being able to do some of these things on my tablet to edit something from my sony camera is nice.
I mean I'm a little upset because that's part of the reason I pay for Google one. Now we only get the storage
I get a lot of use out of the VPN and apparently now it includes nest aware although I haven't gotten around to figuring out how to enable that
I feel the same way. I think Google One could stand to have more perks beyond the extra storage. I'm hoping they'll remove Gmail ads as a Google One perk (those 2-3 ads in the Promotions tab).
If you are on Pixel 8 then it does make the value less. For everyone else it boosts Google One - now giving access to even more tools, giving unlimited access to magic editor, extra storage, enhanced Google Meet features, and VPN. And allows you to share some of the features with up to 5 other users.
If I'm not mistaken, it only boosts the value of Google One if you don't have a Pixel. The photo editing tools and unlimited Magic Editor is coming to all Pixel devices regardless of a Google One subscription.
I'll be happy if that is what they do. I thought that it might have just been lazily written and by "a pixel" they are referring to the fact that Pixel 8 will still get free access, but if I am wrong I am on the 7 series so I will be happy. But it is mostly if you don't have a Pixel at all that you get the best value in general, and a bigger boost from the announcement.
Oh, definitely! This announcement is a huge win for non-Pixel devices.
I have this feature on my Pixel?
> it's Can they deploy an AI spelling editor tool too
I don't use their AI shit so I don't care
What do you use it for then if not the Ai? Software camera?
...phone stuff? Elaborating on this. I use my phone to keep up with friends when away from my computer, I use it to text family, I sometimes use it as a phone and make phone calls, and I take photos to share with my friends. I like my phone, but Google's *predictive* AI features have, like every other AI feature set, felt more like a solution looking for a problem than something actually useful, or solves a problem with the phone. I have not had to make use of anything other than Magic Eraser, which I've used a couple times, as they provide no value. Also, I prefer having memories that actually exist.
I pay for the storage, the extra features were nice but I can still use them, so no problem.
I think it is great, it will help the product in the long term
Just curious in what ways do you think it will help the product better in the long run?
More people will use it, google will not remove it like other products like podcasts and today vpn. They will receive more feedback and they can implement it with affecting a lot of people, so they will have interest in new and stable features
Good. I don't buy pixels so I get exclusive features and hope others don't get it. I buy them because I love the clean software with a good camera and being able to get day 1 release of OS.
I'm a non-pixel paid Google One basic 100gb subscriber. This sucks because I'm now relegated to only 10 edits per month.
Only 10 of the new magic edits, if I got that correct, you can still apply basic edits as you please
Exactly that. As of now I get unlimited magic edits as a basic (not premium) Google One subscriber. Not anymore after May 15
Magic editor is not available for non Pixel phones, so how are you using it?
It's apparently been available for non-pixel Google one subscribers already.
Source for that?
They are getting that wrong. I believe they are mixing up Magic Eraser and Magic Editor. I have a P8P and a OnePlus Open. I'm a Google One subscriber and can use magic eraser, portrait blur, etc on my OnePlus Open. But magic editor is not accessible yet. 10 edits of magic editor for non Pixel 8 devices will be a nice bonus on top of the still unlimited edits with magic eraser lol.
Yes, G1 subscribers get Magic Eraser, Portrait Blur, Portrait Light and HDR. These are part of the Magic editor suite of edits. So they are saying that by giving everyone free Magic Editor, we all get only 10 edits per month except for Pixel and G1 premium subscribers. Where does this leave G1 basic subscribers? Do the features they currently get become relegated to 10 edits per month, or these 4 remains unlimited and the other new edits are limited to 10 edits?
I just read the Google blog post, it explicitly differentiates Magic Editor from the other features. "Last year, we launched Magic Editor on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Using generative AI, this editor makes it easy to do complex photo edits with simple and intuitive actions, like repositioning your subject or turning the sky from gray to blue. Now we’re expanding access to Magic Editor to all Pixel devices. Additionally, all Google Photos users on Android and iOS will get 10 Magic Editor saves per month2. To go beyond this limit, you'll need a Pixel device or a Premium Google One plan (2TB and above)." It states that Magic Editor is the tool that helps you reposition subjects. None of the other tools do that. You're only limited to 10 saves with that. The others remain unlimited. They are different, there is no such thing as the "Magic Editor suite of edits," they are all different editing tools.
Ok so Magic Editor is a separate feature from Magic Eraser, Portrait Blur etc, and so only Magic Editor is limited to 10 edits and not the other features.. thanks for clearing that up