Five Remarkable Google AI Features

For major smartphone manufacturers, “artificial intelligence” is more than just a buzzword. With Google AI, the tech giant aims to set new benchmarks for tools and features, fundamentally altering how we use our smartphones.

In August 2024, Google introduced its latest flagship smartphones with the launch of the Pixel 9. These devices incorporate AI features deeply integrated into the operating system, promising users a completely new experience. Here, we explore the most practical AI tools that Google has released with the Pixel 9.

Automatic Call Notes for Easy Reference

Google’s “Call Notes” feature could significantly simplify our lives. Once activated, this tool automatically transcribes phone conversations, then condenses and summarises them in an easy-to-read format. After lengthy calls with government offices, customers, or service providers, these notes provide a clear bullet-point list of the key points, accessible even weeks later. Importantly, the Call Notes are stored solely on the device, not in the cloud, ensuring the protection of sensitive data.

Currently, Call Notes are only available on the new smartphones in the Google Pixel 9 series. At Vodafone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is available as part of a tariff offer for just £1 upfront.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Bundle Details:

Model: Google Pixel 9 Pro with 256 GB storage
Display: 6.3-inch OLED display
Triple Camera: Featuring a 50-megapixel main sensor and two 48-megapixel lenses
Front Camera: 42 megapixels
RAM: 16 GB
Tariff: GigaMobil M with 50 GB of data
One-off Device Price: £1
Monthly Cost: £79.99
Minimum Contract Duration: 24 months

Note: Prices may vary as retailers sometimes adjust the recommended retail price (RRP). If the prices differ from those listed here, they have been changed since the publication of this article.

Pixel Screenshots for Smart Screenshot Management

Most of us likely use screenshots as a quick way to remember things—whether it’s a tasty recipe or a special offer with a discount code. However, as we accumulate more screenshots, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the one we need among the countless images in our galleries.

“Pixel Screenshots” is an AI-powered feature exclusive to the new Google Pixel smartphones. This tool extracts information and metadata from screenshots, automatically creating titles and tags for the images, which are then organised into a dedicated screenshot folder. With the help of Google’s AI assistant, Gemini, users can now quickly recall important details. What was the booking number for that flight? Where was that sneaker deal? With Pixel Screenshots, nothing gets lost. Google also offers this AI feature on the Pixel 8a, a mid-range smartphone available with a tariff from o2.

Google Pixel 8a Tariff Details:

Model: Google Pixel 8a with 128 GB storage
Display: 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate
Main Camera: 64 megapixels with an ultra-wide-angle 16-megapixel lens
Front Camera: 12 megapixels
Tariff: o2 Mobile M with 25 GB+ data on LTE and 5G, with an additional 5 GB annually
One-off Device Price: £1
Monthly Tariff Price: £29.99
Minimum Contract Duration: 36 months

Magic Editor: Editing Photos Like Magic

Equally impressive are the new AI tools that allow Pixel users to edit photos. The Magic Editor offers a vast array of options for altering images. Users can cut out, reposition, enlarge, or shrink people and objects in a photo. Backgrounds can also be easily changed. If you prefer a blue sky with fluffy clouds in your selfie, the Magic Editor can make it happen. With the “Add me” function, you can even insert yourself into group photos. Currently, the Google Pixel 9 is available in a special promotion on Amazon, where the larger storage variant is offered at the price of the smaller one. So, if you choose the Pixel 9 with 256 GB of internal storage, you pay the price of the 128 GB model, saving £100.