Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8a Get Android AICore Update Ahead of Gemini Nano Rollout: Report

Two new toggles spotted in the developer options menu on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a could allow users to toggle Gemini Nano features on and off.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 30 May 2024 12:36 IST

Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8a Get Android AICore Update Ahead of Gemini Nano Rollout: Report

Google Pixel 8 (pictured) and Pixel 8a owners may have to manually enable GenAI features

Highlights

Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a have received a new AICore update
Two new toggles are likely to be displayed in the developer options menu
Google has confirmed the Pixel 8, Pixel 8a would also get GenAI features

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a are expected to gain support for on-device generative AI (GenAI) capabilities using Gemini Nano, and the company has reportedly rolled out an update to a system component that allows the functionality to be manually enabled. Gemini Nano is currently supported on a few smartphones, including the company's flagship Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series that was unveiled earlier this year. Google has already confirmed that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a will also offer Gemini Nano support for on-device GenAI features.

Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8a Get AICore Update With Hidden Toggle

In a teardown of the latest AICore APK for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, Android Authority spotted two toggles that are expected to appear in the developer options menu. The first option, Enable AICore Persistent, will dedicate a portion of the device's memory so that it can run persistently.

Meanwhile, the Enable on-device GenAI Features toggle will let users enable or disable GenAI features on their smartphone. The description for the toggle states that this will control AI features that are powered by AICore and use Google's Gemini AI model.

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AICore Toggles on Pixel 8, Pixel 8a Could Be Disabled by Default

According to the publication, Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a might need to be enabled via the developer options menu. While Google could announce these features via a Pixel Feature Drop, it is currently unclear whether the newly discovered toggles will be moved to another part of the Settings app.

The teardown also reveals the locations of these settings on Pixel smartphones, once they are activated. After opening the Settings app on these handsets, users would need to navigate to Developer Options > AICore Settings and enable both Enable on-device GenAI Features and Enable AICore Persistent toggles.

On the other hand, enabling the toggles on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a should enable some (if not all) Gemini Nano-powered features such as Write for Me, Summarise in Pixel Recorder, and Smart Reply for Gboard. The new toggles spotted on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a suggests that Pixel 8 series (including Pixel 8 Pro) owners should also be able to toggle these features off, if they don't want AI features on their smartphone.

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Google Pixel 8

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Smaller form factor makes it more comfortable to hold
Excellent and bright display
Cameras are still the best
Packed with AI features

Bad
Battery life is still not the best
Expensive
Tends to heat up under heavy load

Read detailed Google Pixel 8 review

Display 6.20-inch

Processor Google Tensor G3

Front Camera 11-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 4575mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 8a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Compact IP67-rated design
Timely software updates
Pixel Feature Drops are worth the wait
Impressive still camera performance

Bad
Thick display bezel
Gets very hot when using the camera
Heating limits camera options
Wired and wireless charging are slow

Read detailed Google Pixel 8a review

Display 6.10-inch

Front Camera 13-megapixel

Rear Camera 64-megapixel + 13-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 4492mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Google Pixel 8 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Premium design, IP68 rating
Fun AI-infused software experience
Good quality cameras
Quality video recording
Impressive image editing software
Long-term commitment to software updates

Bad
Gets warm under load
Buggy camera app
Not made for gaming
Average battery life
Relatively slow wired charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 8 Pro review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Google Tensor G3

Front Camera 11-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 64-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 5050mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1344x2992 pixels

More Google mobiles Google mobiles price in India

Samsung Galaxy S24

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Compact design
Vibrant 120Hz display
Capable processor
Good overall camera performance

Bad
Average battery life
Recycled design
AI features free till 2025

Read detailed Samsung Galaxy S24 review

Display 6.20-inch

Processor octa-core

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 10-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Battery Capacity 4000mAh

OS Android 14

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Further reading: Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8a, Gemini Nano, AICore, Pixel 8, Pixel 8a, AI, Artificial intelligence, Generative AI, GenAI, Google

David Delima

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As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More