Flashy Google unveiled four new Pixel smartphones at a media event held at its headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. this week, but the most important announcement at the “Made By Google” event wasn’t the hardware itself, but all of the generative AI tools packed into the devices.
Most notable is the AI-powered camera feature, which allows Pixel users to easily add their own image to a group shot after taking the photo, or completely alter a photo by turning night into day or adding objects that weren’t actually there. It’s an exploration of the human limits of how convincingly technology can deliver alternate realities, and how much we can tolerate computer-generated landscapes.
This week on Gadget Lab, WIRED Senior Reviews Editor Julian Chokkattu joins the show to talk about Google’s cool new photography tricks. He also talks about Gemini Live, the latest version of the company’s AI-powered voice chatbot. Finally, we ask the question we can’t ask: Is Google Assistant finally dead, or has it just been relegated to Google’s attic?
Show Notes
Read more about all the new updates from Google’s Made By Google event, including updates to Google’s Pixel camera; learn how the company is reshaping reality with AI; the Pixel Watch 3 has some potentially life-saving new features; and read Reese Rogers’ WIRED article on ChatGPT’s advanced voice modes and Jia Tolentino’s New Yorker A story about teenagers and Sephora.
Recommendations
Julian recommends flip phones. Lauren recommends Color Science Sun Forgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. Mike recommends the audiobook version of On all fours Written by Miranda July. (Available on Spotify Premium.)
Follow Julian Chokkattu on social media at @JulianChokkattu. Lauren Goode at @Lauren GoodMichael Carole is @snackfight. The main hotline is @Gadget LabThe show is produced by Boone Ashworth (@).Boone Ashworth). Theme music is by Solar Keys.
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