Google Pixel 9 vs. Apple Intelligence: What to Expect
With less than two weeks until the Google Pixel 9 series launch, excitement is building for both new hardware and AI-powered software features. Let's compare these upcoming features with Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and beyond.
ChatGPT vs. Gemini Advanced: A Battle of AI Assistants
- Apple's Approach: iOS 18 brings a significantly enhanced Siri, capable of utilizing information from third-party apps and the current screen. Siri will also boast improved context awareness and accept text-based queries in addition to voice commands. For complex tasks, it can even leverage external neural networks, including OpenAI's ChatGPT.
- Google's Strategy: Google has taken a different path with its AI assistant, Gemini. Already replacing Google Assistant in many countries, Gemini is built on a cloud-based language model from the ground up. The Pixel 9 series will offer a year of free access to Gemini Advanced, an enhanced version with a massive context window (1 million tokens) and file analysis capabilities. As a bonus, users will receive 2TB of cloud storage and Gemini integration across other Google services.
However, neither Gemini nor ChatGPT are currently available in Russia.
Revisiting the Past with AI-Powered Screenshots
- Pixel 9's "Pixel Screenshots": This feature is reminiscent of "Recall" in Windows 11 24H2. It allows the AI to analyze screenshots stored on the device and answer user questions about their content. Naturally, this functionality prioritizes privacy, relying solely on manually captured screenshots. However, its application remains limited compared to Microsoft's approach.
- iOS 18's Siri Suggestions: Siri in iOS 18 will proactively offer relevant information. For instance, users can ask Siri to recall a movie recommendation a friend made in an iMessage conversation a few days prior. While Apple emphasizes privacy protection, Pixel Screenshots grants users greater control over their data.
AI Takes Center Stage in Photography
-
Google's Image Processing Prowess: Google has long excelled in image post-processing technology. Magic Eraser removes unwanted objects, Magic Editor alters the style of skies and water, and Best Take eliminates awkward facial expressions from group shots. The Pixel 9 promises even more advanced algorithms:
- Add Me: This feature adds missing individuals to photos using two images captured at the same location.
- Enhanced Magic Editor: Users can now describe how they want to "reimagine" a selected photo (e.g., change rainy weather to sunny), with AI algorithms bringing their vision to life.
- Apple's Counterpart: Apple's Photos app introduces "Clean Up," functioning similarly to Magic Eraser by seamlessly removing unwanted elements. Additionally, users can search their photo and video library using natural language – a feature already available in Google Photos.
Both Google and Apple are locked in an intense race to dominate the AI landscape. The Pixel 9 series and iPhone 15 Pro both promise innovative features, though their availability and effectiveness in specific regions remain to be seen.
