&w=3840&q=100)
Google rolls out Pixel Drop with improved Gemini app experience: What's new
The Pixel Drop aims to enhance both creativity and accessibility across supported Pixel devices.
AI video creation in Gemini app
Google has introduced a new AI video generation tool in the Gemini app. Pixel users can now upload images directly from their camera roll, type a prompt to describe a scene, and let the AI create animated videos based on the input. The feature transforms still images into dynamic visuals, powered by Google's generative AI.
Announcing the feature on X (formerly Twitter), Google said: 'With our latest #PixelDrop, you can now upload images directly from your camera roll, enter a prompt to describe a scene, and let Gemini bring it all to life.'
Pixel VIPs widget for key contacts
The new Pixel VIPs widget helps users stay connected with their closest contacts. It shows live location updates, upcoming events, and recent calls or messages, including from WhatsApp, on the home screen. It aims to centralise important updates from key people in one accessible view.
Creative tools with AI and personalisation
Pixel Studio, available exclusively on Pixel 9 devices, enables users to generate visuals using Google's Imagen 3 model. Whether it's memes, posters, or digital art, users can quickly create high-quality images on-device, without needing design skills.
Pixel Drop also adds tools to personalise content with stickers, captions, and creative elements. For example, users can turn personal photos into stickers or add event-specific details to visuals. These can be shared instantly via Gboard, allowing for one-tap sharing in chats, social posts, or emails.
LE Audio support for hearing aids
Pixel devices now support LE Audio, enhancing the functionality of compatible hearing aids. Users can take calls directly through their hearing aids and adjust key settings like ambient volume and sound presets from within the phone's settings—no need for a separate app. This integration is aimed at improving accessibility and audio clarity on the go.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
CEO Tim Cook says Apple ready to open its wallet to catch up in AI
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Apple CEO Tim Cook signalled on Thursday that the iPhone maker was ready to spend more to catch up to rivals in artificial intelligence by building more data centres or buying a larger player in the segment, a departure from a long practice of fiscal has struggled to keep pace with rivals such as Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, both of which have attracted hundreds of millions of users to their AI-powered chatbots and assistants. That growth has come at a steep cost, however, with Google planning to spend $85 billion over the next year and Microsoft on track to spend more than $100 billion, mostly on data in contrast, has leaned on outside data centre providers to handle some of its cloud computing work, and despite a high-profile partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI for certain iPhone features, has tried to grow much of its AI technology in-house, including improvements to its Siri virtual assistant. The results have been rocky, with the company delaying its Siri improvements until next a conference call after Apple's fiscal third-quarter results, analysts noted that Apple has historically not done large deals and asked whether it might take a different approach to pursue its AI ambitions. CEO Cook responded that the company had already acquired seven smaller companies this year and is open to buying larger ones."We're very open to M&A that accelerates our roadmap. We are not stuck on a certain size company, although the ones that we have acquired thus far this year are small in nature," Cook said. "We basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a roadmap, and if they do, then we're interested."Apple has tended to buy smaller firms with highly specialized technical teams to build out specific products. Its largest deal ever was its purchase of Beats Electronics for $3 billion in 2014, followed by a $1 billion deal to buy a modem chip business from now Apple is at a unique crossroads for its business. The tens of billions of dollars per year it receives from Google as payment to be the default search engine on iPhones could be undone by U.S. courts in Google's antitrust trial, while startups like Perplexity are in discussions with handset makers to try to dislodge Google with an AI-powered browser that would handle many search executives have said in court they are considering reshaping the firm's Safari browser with AI-powered search functions, and Bloomberg News has reported that Apple executives have discussed buying Perplexity, which Reuters has not independently also said on Thursday it plans to spend more on data centres, an area where it typically spends only a few billion dollars per year. Apple is currently using its own chip designs to handle AI requests with privacy controls that are compatible with the privacy features on its Parekh, Apple's chief financial officer, did not give specific spending targets but said outlays would rise."It's not going to be exponential growth, but it is going to grow substantially," Parekh said during the conference call. "A lot of that's a function of the investments we're making in AI."
Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
Minister inaugurates waiting area at US Consulate
Hyderabad: State IT and Industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu clarified that every step taken by the state government is for the benefit of the people of Telangana. On Thursday, at the premises of the US Consulate General in Hyderabad, he formally inaugurated the 'Telangana State Consular Waiting Area', constructed with advanced amenities at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore by the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). The Minister explained that the US Consulate in Hyderabad receives more than 3,000 visitors daily. It came to the government's attention that visitors were facing serious difficulties due to the lack of proper waiting facilities. After conducting a ground-level study and identifying the exact needs, a modern waiting area with state-of-the-art amenities has been made available. This is an example of the government's proactive approach not just in industrial and technological sectors but also in initiatives that bring improvements to the daily lives of the people. The Minister further stated that the Telangana Government is sincerely working to strengthen bilateral relations between Telangana and the United States. The US is a leading trade partner for Telangana in sectors such as pharma, aerospace, electronics, and electric vehicles (EVs). Around 38% of Telangana's IT exports are directed to North America. Hyderabad is the home base for global companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. In January this year alone, US-based companies invested Rs 31,500 crore in the state, leading to the creation of 30,000 new jobs. He mentioned that this new waiting area will not only serve business collaborations but will also help strengthen people-to-people relations between international partners. Hyderabad US Consul General Jennifer Larson and other dignitaries participated in the event.
Economic Times
21 minutes ago
- Economic Times
CEO Tim Cook says Apple ready to open its wallet to catch up in AI
I am Gujarat Apple CEO Tim Cook signalled on Thursday that the iPhone maker was ready to spend more to catch up to rivals in artificial intelligence by building more data centres or buying a larger player in the segment, a departure from a long practice of fiscal frugality. Apple has struggled to keep pace with rivals such as Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, both of which have attracted hundreds of millions of users to their AI-powered chatbots and assistants. That growth has come at a steep cost, however, with Google planning to spend $85 billion over the next year and Microsoft on track to spend more than $100 billion, mostly on data centres. Apple, in contrast, has leaned on outside data centre providers to handle some of its cloud computing work, and despite a high-profile partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI for certain iPhone features, has tried to grow much of its AI technology in-house, including improvements to its Siri virtual assistant. The results have been rocky, with the company delaying its Siri improvements until next year. During a conference call after Apple's fiscal third-quarter results, analysts noted that Apple has historically not done large deals and asked whether it might take a different approach to pursue its AI ambitions. CEO Cook responded that the company had already acquired seven smaller companies this year and is open to buying larger ones. "We're very open to M&A that accelerates our roadmap. We are not stuck on a certain size company, although the ones that we have acquired thus far this year are small in nature," Cook said. "We basically ask ourselves whether a company can help us accelerate a roadmap, and if they do, then we're interested." Apple has tended to buy smaller firms with highly specialized technical teams to build out specific products. Its largest deal ever was its purchase of Beats Electronics for $3 billion in 2014, followed by a $1 billion deal to buy a modem chip business from Intel. But now Apple is at a unique crossroads for its business. The tens of billions of dollars per year it receives from Google as payment to be the default search engine on iPhones could be undone by U.S. courts in Google's antitrust trial, while startups like Perplexity are in discussions with handset makers to try to dislodge Google with an AI-powered browser that would handle many search functions. Apple executives have said in court they are considering reshaping the firm's Safari browser with AI-powered search functions, and Bloomberg News has reported that Apple executives have discussed buying Perplexity, which Reuters has not independently confirmed. Apple also said on Thursday it plans to spend more on data centres, an area where it typically spends only a few billion dollars per year. Apple is currently using its own chip designs to handle AI requests with privacy controls that are compatible with the privacy features on its devices. Kevan Parekh, Apple's chief financial officer, did not give specific spending targets but said outlays would rise. "It's not going to be exponential growth, but it is going to grow substantially," Parekh said during the conference call. "A lot of that's a function of the investments we're making in AI." Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. US tariff hike to hit Indian exports, may push RBI towards rate cuts Is Bajaj Finance facing its HDFC Bank moment? Tata Motors' INR38k crore Iveco buy: Factors that can make investors nervous Trump tariffs: End of road or a new journey ending Russia reliance? Stock Radar: PI Industries stock showing signs of momentum; takes support above 50-DEMA – time to buy? Long-term investing: Volatility, even threats, have limited shelf life; 5 large-caps from different sectors with upside potential of up to 38% These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 21% return in 1 year, according to analysts Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
