Pixel 8 gets massive AI feature update to do battle with Galaxy S24

Google has taken a little detour to roll out a new Pixel feature drop early with loads of AI features and other improvements.

Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 series last week during the Galaxy Unpacked event. The main talking point of the keynote was Galaxy AI, which brings some impressive AI features to the Galaxy S24 models. These features challenge the software dominance of the Pixel 8 series.

However, Google has now rolled out a new feature drop to level up the playing field. The update brings the latest AI features like Circle to Search, Photomoji, and Magic Compose. Google has also made the Pixel 8 Pro’s thermometer useful by giving it the ability to finally check your body temperature.

Pixel 8 Pro can now record your body temperature

Google’s latest feature drop comes as a surprise because the company usually releases these updates in the last month of every quarter. The last drop was in December 2022 and the next one shouldn’t have happened before March. But here we are.

The company doesn’t want to lag behind Samsung in terms of AI features. The new update Circle to Search feature, which Samsung announced with the Galaxy S24 series.

Samsung

This feature allows you to search for anything on your phone’s screen by long-pressing the home screen and circling what you want to search. The best part is that you don’t have to exit the app you’re currently using.

Google is also rolling out Photomoji and Magic Compose in Messages. Magic Compose on the Pixel 8 Pro will use the Gemini Nano model to suggest replies in various styles, including Remix, Excited, Chill, Shakespeare, and more.

Photmoji, as the name suggests, lets you create custom stickers using your photos or a subject in a picture. Those with Pixel 5a or above will be able to use this feature.

The feature drop for the Pixel 8 Pro also added the ability to check your body temperature. This feature received the green light from the FDA in the US. Before this update, the sensor could only measure the temperature of objects.