Google didn't miss the opportunity to smear Apple Intelligence when it unveiled the new Pixel 9 models today. All new Pixel 9 devices are integrated with Google's Gemini AI technology and come with a host of new AI features introduced by Google.
Like Apple Intelligence, Gemini runs on on-device processing power, but Google emphasized that Gemini is capable of answering complex queries without handing the task off to another AI service. The comment pokes fun at Apple's plans to add ChatGPT integration to Siri, which would allow ChatGPT to do things Siri can't. From Google:
Gemini is tightly integrated with Google apps and Android, allowing it to handle complex queries without handing them off to third-party AI providers that you don't know or trust.
Apple uses ChatGPT for things Apple Intelligence can't do, like generate text from scratch. Apple added Writing Tools, but this is limited to rewriting already written content to change the tone and style. ChatGPT can also generate images that Image Playground can't generate, such as photorealistic content, and handles requests like generating food recipes.
When a user asks Siri a question that Siri can't answer, the personal assistant asks for permission to hand over to ChatGPT. ChatGPT integration is entirely optional, and OpenAI has partnered with Apple to offer it for free to iPhone users.
Rumor has it that Apple is also planning to add Gemini integration to the iPhone, allowing iPhone users to choose their preferred AI services. It's unclear whether Apple Intelligence won't be able to handle full text generation or photorealistic image creation, or whether Apple is a bit skeptical to touch on these features given the sentiment towards AI-created content.
Google's new Pixel devices come with some interesting AI features, including Pixel Studio, a new image generator that uses an on-device diffusion model to generate stickers and images using text prompts, similar to Image Playground.
The AI will be able to edit photos to add objects that weren't originally in the image, and Google plans to use it for custom weather forecasts. The Camera app has an option to merge two photos together so that the person taking the group photo is in the photo, and it can also catalog and remember information from screenshots. There's also a feature called Call Notes that mimics Apple's call recording feature to record and summarize phone calls.
Google has also added Gemini Live to its Pixel 9 devices and accompanying earbuds, which allows users to talk freely with Gemini.
