Google

Zoom enhance launches for Pixel 8 Pro, Android 15 QPR1 beta approaching

Published

1 month ago

August 14, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

Zoom Enhance is now rolling out to Pixel 8 Pro, improving image quality with AI.
Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 is coming soon, with stability improvements and bug fixes.
Users should consider opting out of the Android Beta Program before QPR1 to avoid data loss.

Google has started rolling out the long-awaited Zoom Enhance feature for the Pixel 8 Pro, which was first introduced during the Made by Google 2023 keynote. This AI-driven feature aims to improve image quality at higher zoom levels by intelligently filling in the gaps between pixels and predicting fine details. This allows users to capture sharper, more detailed photos without making the images look overly processed or artificial.

Zoom Enhance was mentioned in a recent Google blog post highlighting some of the camera capabilities of the upcoming Pixel 9 series. While this feature is available out-of-the-box for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and other models in the Pixel 9 lineup, it is now being gradually released to Pixel 8 Pro devices.

To access Zoom Enhance on your Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll need to head to the Google Photos app. This feature is integrated into the “Tools” section of the app rather than directly within the camera interface. Once the feature is available on your device, you’ll be able to enhance your existing photos by applying Zoom Enhance, which processes the image for a few seconds and then allows you to compare the improved version with the original.

Currently, the latest version of Google Photos (v6.95) is rolling out through the Google Play Store. However, the Zoom Enhance feature might not appear immediately, as its activation seems to be controlled by a server-side switch. It’s expected to become widely available in the coming days or weeks.

In other news, Google is preparing for the release of Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, with Beta 4.2 being the final preview before the stable launch. This upcoming release will include important bug fixes and improvements to the stability and performance of Android 15. Google is urging testers who want to receive the final stable public release of Android 15 to opt out of the Beta Program soon. Opting out after installing QPR1 Beta 1 will result in a data wipe, so it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully.

The stable release of Android 15 is expected to arrive in September, with QPR1 Beta 1 following shortly after. If you choose to remain in the Beta Program, you can expect a relatively stable experience with the QPR releases.

Zoom enhance is coming to the Pixel 9 series and later on the 8 series this year! pic.twitter.com/ZpkTO12dGP

— MilesAboveTech (@milesabovetech) August 13, 2024

Related Topics:Android 15 QPR1 Google News Pixel 8 Pro update

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Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

13 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Google

Google Calendar and Circle to Search expand to more devices

Published

23 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Google Calendar is coming to the New Tab Page in Chrome for Workspace users.
Circle to Search is expanding to more Android devices, including Xiaomi 14T.
Chrome is getting other new features for enterprise users.

Google Calendar on Chrome’s New Tab Page:

Google Workspace users will soon see their Google Calendar on the New Tab Page in Chrome. This will make it easier to see upcoming meetings and join them quickly. You’ll also see your daily schedule below the calendar.

Circle to Search Expanding to More Devices:

Circle to Search, a feature that lets you search by drawing circles around objects in your photos, is expanding to more Android devices. This feature was previously limited to Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, but now it’s coming to Tecno and Xiaomi devices.

Other Chrome Updates:

Chrome is also getting other new features for enterprise users, such as a new sign-in flow that provides more transparency and a feature that lets admins set site shortcuts.

These updates are all designed to make it easier for businesses to use Chrome and Google Workspace.

Source/Via

Google

YouTube gets smarter: AI boosts Shorts and Studio

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

YouTube is making content creation easier and more fun with new AI features.

AI-powered video backgrounds: Create stunning visuals for your Shorts videos with Google’s Veo AI model.
AI-powered video ideas: Get inspiration for your next video with YouTube Studio’s AI-powered brainstorming tool.
AI-powered comments: Quickly respond to your viewers with AI-suggested replies.

YouTube is adding more AI features to help creators make better videos. One of the biggest announcements is the integration of Veo, a powerful AI model, into YouTube Shorts. This means you can create high-quality backgrounds and even short video clips using just a few words.

Imagine being able to describe a scene, like “a bustling city street at sunset,” and having Veo instantly generate a visually stunning background for your Short. Or, perhaps you need a quick clip to transition between two scenes; Veo can create a short video that perfectly fits your needs.

Another exciting feature is the new AI-powered brainstorming tool in YouTube Studio. This tool can suggest video ideas based on your channel’s history and what’s popular on YouTube. It’s like having a creative assistant that always has fresh ideas.

For example, if you’ve been creating cooking videos, the tool might suggest ideas like “Vegan cooking hacks” or “Quick and easy weeknight meals.” Or, if you’re a gaming channel, it could suggest ideas like “Top 5 new games to try” or “Let’s play a classic game.”

YouTube is also working on AI-powered comments. This feature will suggest replies to comments, making it easier for creators to engage with their audience.

For example, if a viewer leaves a comment saying “Great video!” the AI might suggest a reply like “Thanks for watching!” Or, if a viewer asks a question, the AI could suggest a helpful answer based on the video’s content.

These new AI features are making YouTube an even more powerful platform for creators. By automating tasks like background creation and idea generation, creators can spend more time focusing on what they do best: creating great content.