Mar 08, 2024 15:05:00

Google's local AI model 'Gemini Nano' will not be available on Pixel 8

Google has three versions of its multimodal AI '

Gemini ,' which can process text, voice, and images simultaneously, and the Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with the version that runs on the local device, 'Gemini Nano.' While there is much interest in whether Gemini Nano will be rolled out to other Pixel series, Google has revealed that Gemini Nano will not be installed in the Pixel 8.

Pixel 8 not getting Gemini Nano due to 'hardware limitations'
https://9to5google.com/2024/03/07/pixel-8-gemini-nano/

Google confirms Gemini Nano will not come to the Pixel 8
https://www.androidpolice.com/gemini-nano-not-coming-pixel-8/

Pixel 8 left behind: Google reveals Gemini Nano won't come to base model
https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-8-no-gemini-nano-3423547/

Gemini Nano, which is a version of Gemini optimized for on-device task execution, is featured in the Pixel 8 Pro, which was released in October 2023, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which was released in January 2024.

The Pixel 8 Pro's Gemini Nano allows you to instantly summarize conversations recorded in the Recorder app by transcribing them, and the keyboard app Gboard also includes a feature called Smart Reply, which uses AI to generate replies for messaging apps.

Gemini Nano, a local-first LLM that runs on smartphones instead of on the cloud, is now compatible with the Pixel 8 Pro, and will be used to enhance Gboard's Smart Reply and recorder auto-summarization - GIGAZINE

At the time of writing, only the Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S24 series are equipped with the Gemini Nano, but there were hopes that other Pixel smartphones would also be equipped with the Gemini Nano. However, a Google video summarizing the announcement at MWC 24, a mobile communications trade show held in Spain in March 2024, revealed that the Gemini Nano will not be included in the Pixel 8.

Starting at around 42 minutes and 50 seconds in the video below, Android engineer Terence Chan answers viewers' questions and discusses the development of Gemini Nano.



A question from a viewer was, 'Will Gemini Nano be available on Pixel 8?'

When asked about the Gemini Nano, Chan (bottom left) flatly denied it, saying, 'The Gemini Nano will not be included in the Pixel 8 due to hardware limitations.' Google plans to roll out the Gemini Nano to more high-end devices in the future, but unfortunately, it will not be included in the Pixel 8.

According to technology media 9to5Google, both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are equipped with the Google Tensor G3 processor, and the only difference in computing specs is whether the RAM is 8GB or 12GB. The Galaxy S24 series also has an 8GB RAM version, so technically, the Gemini Nano should likely work on the Pixel 8.

However, at the time of writing, the Gemini Nano could only be used for a few functions, so Google may have decided that it wasn't worth forcing the Pixel 8 to include the Gemini Nano.