In the glow media event this week at its headquarters in Mountain View, California, Google announced four up-to-date Pixel phones. But the most significant thing shown off at the Made By Google event wasn’t the hardware itself, but all the generative AI tools packed into the devices.
Most notable are the AI-powered camera features that let Pixel owners easily add their own photo to a group shot after taking it, or completely change a photo by changing night to day and adding objects that were never really there. It’s an exploration of our limits—how convincingly technology can bring alternate realities to life, and how much computer-generated scenery we can tolerate.
This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED senior reviews editor Julian Chokkattu joins the show to talk about Google’s fancy up-to-date photography tricks. We also talk about Gemini Live, the company’s latest version of its AI-powered voice chatbot. Finally, we ask the question that can’t be asked: Is Google Assistant finally dead, or has it simply been banished to Google’s attic?
Program Notes
Read more about all the up-to-date updates from the Made By Google event, including Google Pixel camera updates. Learn how the company is using AI to transform reality. The Pixel Watch 3 has some potentially life-saving up-to-date features. Also, check out Reece Rogers’ WIRED piece on ChatGPT’s advanced voice mode and Jia Tolentino Fresh Yorker the story of Teenagers and Sephora.
Recommendations
Julian recommends foldable phones with a clamshell. Lauren recommends Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Flex SPF 50 Face Shield sunscreen. Mike recommends the audiobook version All four by Miranda July. (You can listen to it in Spotify Premium.)
Julian Chokkattu can be found on social media atJulian Chokkattu. Lauren Goode is @LaurenGoode.Michael Calore is @snack fight. Call the main hotline at @GadgetLab.The show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@booneashworth). Our theme music is Solar Keys.
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