Pixel 8: the Google phones that won't let you go out with your eyes closed thanks to AI

Google has presented today in New York the new generation of its smartphones, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, two terminals that, as in previous editions, stand out above all for their camera.

On this occasion, the use of artificial intelligence will be the main protagonist of the lenses of the new equipment, being able to change the faces of the individuals in the photos, for example so that they smile or open their eyes. As if by magic.

And Google has been doing well in the mobile phone market for years despite strong competition in the mid- and high-end segment, especially from Google and Apple. In fact, now it finally seems that he is managing to snatch a small slice of the pie from these giants. According to the latest data from the consulting firm Canalys, Pixel is the only smartphone brand that has not fallen in the United States during the second quarter of 2023, with a growth of 60% compared to the second quarter of the previous year.

And the technology giant wants to maintain these good figures with the new generation of its Pixel devices at the expense of getting users who are dissatisfied with iPhone to switch to its devices, or so it wanted to reflect it very clearly in its new advertising campaigns.

To achieve this transfer of users, Google will use one of its best current weapons, artificial intelligence. The new Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will allow the user to avoid looking bad in any photo, as they are capable of using AI to change faces. This feature, called Best Version, is actually a built-in algorithm that creates a combined image from a series of photos, in which everyone has their best face, for example changing their eyes or smile.

The company has also improved its magical photo editing tool by including generative AI to enhance the snapshot easily. For example, with a few taps you can change the position and size of people and objects, or use the default settings (activated with a single tap) to give more prominence to the background.

In the case of videos, the new Audio Magic Eraser function will be responsible for removing noise easily and also thanks to AI. In addition, Google will incorporate its Video Optimizer in the coming months in the Pixel 8 Pro, a function that allows you to apply more advanced processing options to videos and adjust color, lighting, stabilization and grain.

Also using artificial intelligence, the new Pixel allows you to navigate more easily and can, for example, ask Google to summarize the content of a website or even use it to receive fewer commercial calls. We don't know exactly how it will work, but in the presentation this function could simulate a secretary who manages the call before the user answers, asking the reason and hanging up if necessary or passing it on if he considers it of interest. Very striking.

But returning to the camera, Google has improved the lenses in its two new devices, although especially in the Pro model. In this one, the telephoto lens captures 56% more light and is capable of taking 10x photos with optical quality.

In addition, Google has incorporated a new sensor in the Pixel 8 Pro capable of measuring the temperature of any object.

Power, one of the weak points of the Pixel, will improve considerably this year. The new Tensor G3 chip is more powerful and faster and will be accompanied by a new GPU to improve gaming performance.

The new Pixel 8 arrives with the new version of Android, 14. In addition, this year the American firm adds its smart watch to the Spanish market, Pixel Watch 2, a device that until now had not set foot in Spain in its previous version and that boasts new Qualcomm processor and its integration with Fitbit, a company that Google bought for 2.1 billion dollars.

Although the appearance is very similar to the 2022 model, this year it incorporates new tools such as a renewed heart sensor, stress measurement via body temperature, seven sports that will start automatically as soon as they are practiced or new security measures to avoid situations. risky.

Likewise, the company has also presented the new version of its headphones, the Pixel Buds Pro. Here, again, artificial intelligence takes on special prominence to, for example, hear calls more clearly and even to detect when someone is talking and is necessary to turn down or stop the music.

Another of the great novelties this year are the prices, higher than in previous versions. While the Pixel 8 will start at 799 euros (128 Gb), 150 euros more compared to the Pixel 7.

The Pro will be sold for 1,099 euros in its 128Gb version, 1,199 with 256 Gb and 1,299 with 512. Despite this increase, they are still cheaper than their main competitor, the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, although the latter lowered prices this year in Spain.

They can now be reserved although they will be available from October 12 and the great news is that for the first time it will be possible to purchase them in physical stores such as MediaMarkt or El Corte Inglés.

As for the headphones, Buds Pro, they will also be on sale on October 12 for 229 euros.

For its part, the new Watch 2 will go on sale that same day for 399 euros.