Google Pixel smartphones received several new features as part of the June Pixel Feature Drop that rolled out earlier this week. One of the major upgrades that Google rolled out improves the functionality of its Recorder app, with the addition of a new shortcut on the home screen. The app can also leverage the power of Google’s Gemini Nano small language model (SLM) on handsets like the Pixel 8 and the recently introduced Pixel 8a.
Recorder app on Google Pixel
In a blog after Earlier this week, Google released new features for its smartphones. 9to5Google spotted a new shortcut for the Recorder app that appears as a red circle on a white background, matching the larger floating action button (FAB). This Dossier A shortcut can now be placed on the home screen to quickly start a recording.
The feature is speculated to boost live transcription capabilities by providing quick access to them. According to the publication, it is available with version 4.2.20240502.639621645 of the Recorder app on Pixel phones. Gadgets 360 staff could not verify its availability.
In addition to the new shortcut, Google said it’s bringing Gemini Nano, its SLM built for on-device tasks, to other phones in the Pixel 8 series. While the flagship Pixel 8 Pro already came with it, the Pixel 8 and 8a will now benefit. The SLM will be available to download in Developer Options within the Pixel’s settings, and is said to be around 1GB in size.
As a result, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a can now deliver “more detailed, downloadable summaries” via the Summarize feature in the Recorder app. Meanwhile, Pixel 8 Pro users can now take advantage of speaker labels in conversation transcripts.
Google Gemini Nano comes to Google Messages
In the June Pixel Feature Drop, Google also announced a new, faster way for users to have conversations with Gemini in the Messages app. While similar functionality exists in the app, there are a few more steps required before they can start chatting.
The update will now reportedly see a Gemini FAB appear above the home chat icon. The feature was reportedly spotted during an APK teardown of the Google Messages app version messages.android_20240610_01_RC00.
