I tried using the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8's 'Best Take' and 'Voice Eraser Magic' to experience the wonders of AI & also check out the evolution of the camera from Pixel 7



Google's genuine smartphones ' Google Pixel 8 ' and ' Google Pixel 8 Pro ' were

released on October 12, 2023. The biggest highlight of the Pixel 8 series is the chipset Tensor G3, which has been upgraded from the previous model, and when we actually purchased it at the GIGAZINE editorial department and performed benchmark measurements , its evolution was clearly reflected in the numbers. We are getting results. In addition, you can actually try out the new features ``Best Take'' and ``Voice Eraser Magic'' to experience the true value of the enhanced AI, and check out the improvements in camera performance by taking photos and comparing them with Pixel 7. I did it.

Google Pixel 8: Make your life easier with Google AI - Google Store
https://store.google.com/jp/product/pixel_8

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Google AI and the best Pixel camera - Google Store
https://store.google.com/jp/product/pixel_8_pro

·table of contents
◆1: Say goodbye to half of the photos with this “best take”
◆2: “Audio Eraser Magic” uses AI to erase noise from videos
◆3: Thorough comparison of Pixel 8 series camera performance with previous model
◆4: Check out Pixel's first temperature sensor

◆1: Say goodbye to disappointing half-eye photos with the “best take”
'Best Take' is an AI editing function that takes 5 to 7 consecutive shots within 10 seconds, selects the best expression of each person in the photo, and combines them into a single group photo. Moreover, this function is said to be able to turn not only photos taken with Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, but even past photos as long as they are saved in Google Photos, so I decided to try it out. Masu.

I started the Google Photos app. The following 5 photos were prepared this time. The four subjects are the same person, but their arrangement and poses are different.



I will try to edit it based on this photo. It's an impressive photo with the light shining from behind, but unfortunately one of the women behind her has her eyes closed. First, tap 'Edit'.



Tap 'Best Take' from 'Tools'.



An editing candidate for a woman whose eyes are closed is displayed. Select the face with open eyes and tap 'Done'.



Now we can take photos with everyone smiling. To save, tap Save Copy.



If the subject's face or expression is too different, it won't be recognized, so you won't be able to use it in ways such as ``combining a younger face with a recent photo'' or ``secretly changing a friend who was there to be a different person.'' However, if you take a series of group photos or take several photos at the same place on the same day, the AI will be able to properly recognize and create the best photo.



◆2: “Audio Eraser Magic” uses AI to erase noise from videos
'Voice Eraser Magic', as the name suggests, is an audio version of Eraser Magic, and like 'Best Take', it can be used from the Google Photos app on the Pixel 8 series, regardless of whether it was taken with a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro. I can.

This time, I will try out the effect of 'Voice Eraser Magic' in the video below. When you play the unedited video, you can faintly hear the escalator's instructions, ``On rainy days, your feet are slippery'', but it's hard to hear because it's buried in the noise of the station.

I took a picture of the ceiling of Osaka Station with the Vlog camera 'PowerShot V10' - YouTube


First, open the video in the Google Photos app and tap 'Edit.'



Select 'Voice Eraser Magic' from 'Audio'.



The noise was automatically removed, so I tapped 'Save Copy' to save it.



The video below was created in this way. If you play and compare, you will notice that the background noise is completely different.

This is what it looks like when you shut out disturbing noise with Pixel 8's 'Audio Eraser Magic' - YouTube


You can play the video and check it while adjusting the type of sound to be muted and the degree of deletion, which is useful when recording a video in a noisy place or when an ambulance unexpectedly runs by in the neighborhood while recording.



◆3: Thorough comparison of Pixel 8 series camera performance with previous model
The camera specifications of Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro are extracted from

the technical specifications published by Google.
ultra wide angle camera wide angle camera telephoto camera
Pixel 8 Pro 48 megapixel Quad PD ultrawide camera 50 megapixel Octa PD wide-angle camera 48 megapixel Quad PD telephoto camera
Pixel 8 12 megapixel ultrawide camera 50 megapixel Octa PD wide-angle camera
Pixel 7 Pro 12 megapixel ultrawide camera 50 Megapixel Octa PD Quad Bayer Wide Angle Camera 48 megapixel Quad Bayer PD telephoto camera
Pixel 7 12 megapixel ultrawide camera 50 Megapixel Octa PD Quad Bayer Wide Angle Camera


From here, in order to confirm the improvement in camera performance of the Pixel 8 series, we will actually take photos with the four models and compare them. Please note that clicking on the thumbnail of each image will display the original photo, but please note that the file size is large.

・Ultra wide-angle camera
Pixel 7.Among the four models, only the Pixel 7's ultra-wide-angle camera has a magnification of 0.7x.



Pixel 7 Pro's ultra-wide-angle camera. The magnification is 0.5x.



Pixel 8's ultra-wide-angle camera. The magnification is also 0.5x.



Pixel 8 Pro's ultra-wide-angle camera. The magnification is 0.5x.



・Wide-angle camera
Pixel 7's wide-angle camera.



Pixel 7's wide-angle camera has 2x zoom.



Pixel 7's zoom is limited to 8x. Since the image was taken with a wide-angle camera and stretched out, a lot of detail is lost.



Pixel 7 Pro's wide-angle camera.



Pixel 7 Pro's wide-angle camera has 2x zoom.



Pixel 8's wide-angle camera.



Pixel 8's wide-angle camera has 2x zoom.



Pixel 8 has a wide-angle camera that zooms up to 8x.



Pixel 8 Pro's wide-angle camera.



Pixel 8 Pro's wide-angle camera has 2x zoom.



・Telephoto camera
Only models with the Pro version are equipped with a telephoto camera. Below is the Pixel 7's Pro telephoto camera, with 5x magnification.



The Pixel 7 Pro's telephoto camera can zoom up to 30x.



The Pixel 8 Pro's telephoto camera has a magnification of 5x.



Below is the image enlarged up to 30x using the Pixel 8 Pro's telephoto camera.



One of the points I noticed when comparing the Pixel 8 series and the previous model is below, which is a comparison of the same parts of the Pixel 7's 8x zoom (left) and Pixel 8's 8x zoom (right) photos. . The details are blurred in both, but you can see that the Pixel 8's details are clearer.



I also felt that the performance of the ultra-wide-angle camera was significantly different between the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro. The following is a comparison of photos taken with the ultra-wide-angle cameras of Pixel 7 Pro (left) and Pixel 8 Pro (right). With an ultra-wide-angle camera, the edges of the photo tend to smudge, but with the Pixel 8 Pro, you can see that details such as top dogs and leaves are well preserved.



With Pixel 8 Pro, it is possible to set the resolution from 12MP to 50MP with 'Pro Mode'. As the resolution increases,

the release time increases, so you have to hold the smartphone still for 1 to 2 seconds after tapping the shutter button, but you will be able to take very high-quality photos.



Below is what I actually shot with the ultra-wide-angle camera after switching to 50MP.



Wide angle camera.



2x zoom of wide-angle camera.



telephoto camera.



30x zoom of telephoto camera.



In Pro mode, you can manually switch the camera you use.



'UW' is an ultra-wide-angle camera, 'W' is a wide-angle camera, and 'T' is a telephoto camera. The app will no longer automatically switch between cameras, so you won't have to worry about which camera you're using even if you use zoom frequently.



Also, while the Pixel 8 can only manually set brightness, shadows, and white balance, the Pixel 8 Pro can also set focus, shutter speed, and ISO, so anyone with camera knowledge can easily set the photos they want to take. You can take photos freely.



In addition, Macro Focus, which was only compatible with the Pro model in the previous model, can now also be used on the Pixel 8. This allows Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users to get closer to the subject and take photos.



◆4: Check out Pixel's first temperature sensor
The Pixel 8 Pro is the first Pixel series to be equipped with a temperature sensor. To use it, first launch the thermometer app.



Tap 'Allow'.



Tap 'Temperature measurement'.



It is advised that it cannot measure body temperature or the temperature inside objects. Tap 'Continue'.



Tap 'Next'.



It explains how to use the sensor on the camera bar close to the object. Tap 'Next'.



It is explained that the sensor should be brought within 5cm from the object. Tap 'Done'.



You are now ready.



Let's actually measure the temperature of hot water and ice water.



Measurement was completed in an instant. The hot water is 58.8 degrees.



The ice water was displayed as 7 degrees. Since it only measures surface temperature, it cannot be used to check whether food is cooked or not, but since it is possible to measure temperature without contact, it seems that the uses of smartphones will expand further depending on how it is devised.

in Review,   Mobile,   Hardware,   Video, Posted by log1l_ks