Google has just held its Google I/O 2023 Keynote where it introduced the Google Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet as well as showcased the new AI-powered features coming to Android.
In addition, the tech giant showcased more AI features for its apps like Photos, Maps, and Search. It also gave updates for its AI chatbot, Bard.
It also gave us a peek into the Help Me Write feature coming to Gmail. As the name suggests, generative AI will help you write emails.
Magic Editor for Google Photos
For Photos, the company gave us a peek into the Magic Editor which uses generative AI to help you edit your photos similar to the current Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur features.
It allows you to do things like fill in the gaps after repositioning a subject. An example that was showcased was extending a bench and adding more balloons to a photo that seamlessly fit into your photo.
The feature will be rolled out in early access to selected Pixel phones later this year.
More Immersive View Google Maps
Meanwhile, Maps uses AI to offer a more immersive viewing experience via Immersive View for routes while checking out routes to a commute or maybe for a bike.
The AI gives you an idea of what you’ll see along the route and gives you other information like traffic or weather. Immersive View for routes will be rolled out in Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Tokyo, and Venice.
Supercharged Search
Google Search is now being supercharged with AI but will initially be available in early access via Search Labs.
It will allow you to ask more complex questions and collate all the information in a new conversational mode. An example of a complex question is, “what’s better for a family with kids under 3 and a dog, bryce canyon or arches.” Moreover, you can ask a follow-up question for a more fluid browsing experience.
You can also utilize the AI function to help browse things to shop while giving specific descriptions and maybe a price point.
Signups for Search Labs have already started and Search Generative Experience is coming in the following weeks.
Future of Bard
Last is Bard, the company’s generative AI chatbot which is now powered by PaLM 2, a more capable large language model.
Bard will soon be able to use Google Lens, allowing you to describe a photo when asking it to write a caption. Additionally, it will get Source citations for writing blocks of codes, a Dark theme, and an Export button.
Google also announced that it will be integrating Bard into its apps and services like Docs, Drive, Gmail, and Maps in the future. Meanwhile, in the coming months, Adobe Firefly will be integrated into Bard which will allow it to generate photos for you based on your description.
Bard will be coming to over 180 countries and territories and more soon.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.