Google Pixel 9 Debut: Smarter Software Takes Center Stage(0)

The Google Pixel 9 comes with new AI features, a new design and a better ultra-wide-angle camera. But it's also more expensive than last year's Pixel 8.

The Pixel 9's new AI and software features

While the AI tools Google introduced with the Pixel 8 focused primarily on photo editing, the Pixel 9's new features aim to make the operating system feel more intuitive. (There are, of course, some new photography-related tricks, too.) Since all the new phones are powered by Google's Tensor G4 processor, these features apply to the entire Pixel 9 lineup. The standard Pixel 9 also includes 12GB of RAM instead of the Pixel 8's 8GB, which should improve overall performance and help support the phone's new AI features.

One of the most prominent new features is an app called Pixel Screenshots, which lets you ask questions about screenshots stored on the phone. That might not sound too exciting, but think about how many times you've probably taken a screenshot for later reference - it could be your Airbnb's Wi-Fi password or an address from a text message. The Pixel Screenshots app lets you search for those individual pieces of information as needed, kind of like the Ask Photos feature for Google Photos that the company announced at Google I/O.

More interestingly, however, Google claims that its software can infer context based on images. For example, if you take a screenshot of a digital poster for an upcoming event, such as a concert or festival, the company claims it can distinguish between different times listed on the poster, such as the event itself and the date of ticket sales.

Google's new Pixel phones are also getting a tool for creating images based on prompts called Pixel Studio. Just type in a description and the app will generate an image. There are also a handful of starter prompts based on themes if you're stuck on where to begin. For example, a "retro video game" section may include prompt ideas such as "pixel art retro video game of a misty forest." Apple is launching a similar tool called Image Playground as part of its Apple Intelligence suite of features.

The weather app will now show AI-generated weather summaries, and you'll have the option to record a phone call and view a summary of the conversation in the phone app.

Building on last year's Magic Editor, which can remove or change objects in photos, Google is introducing Reimagine. Instead of just having the AI decide how to change a certain element of a photo, you can type in a prompt to get a desired result. For example, I highlighted the floor of an outdoor balcony in one photo and told Google to "reimagine" it as a sandy beach.

But the new camera feature that I found most intriguing was Add Me, which uses augmented reality to help you take a group photo. The process involves taking two photos: A first photo, and then a second shot in which the original photographer swaps with someone else to join in the group photo. When snapping the second photo, the second photographer will see an AR overlay guiding them to help position the new person (the first photographer) on where to stand so that the photo looks natural. The software then combines both of those photos together to create an image where everyone is in the picture.

I have to admit, I was surprised to see how well the AR functionality works when I tried this during a demo ahead of Google's event. As I held up the phone, I saw a digital overlay of myself positioned almost exactly where I was just standing a second ago. In most cases, it's probably still easier and less awkward to just ask someone to take the photo for you. But I do think Add Me is more practical and more genuine in its intention than Best Take, the feature introduced last year that can make it look like everyone is smiling in a photo.

Overall, the Pixel 9's new software features feel like a step toward making Google's Pixel software smarter. But I don't think these features alone will be enough to incentivize people who are happy with their current phones to upgrade. However, I do think Google's approach, especially with the Pixel Screenshots app and Summary feature, is more practical for everyday use than some of Samsung's Galaxy AI features.