Google reportedly working on new AI assistant for Pixel 9

After recently unveiling Gemini, its groundbreaking foundational model, Google is now working on integrating it into its own products and services. One of Google’s most intriguing projects is Pixie, a new AI assistant that will be exclusive to Pixel devices.   

Pixie will use Gemini to access and analyse data from Gmail, Maps, and other Google products on the user’s phone. The objective is to develop a more personalized and context-aware iteration of the Google Assistant, capable of executing intricate and multimodal tasks.  

For instance, Pixie might suggest directions to the nearest shop where a user can purchase an item they have captured in a photo or assist in booking a table at a restaurant they have searched for. 

According to the report, Pixie could make its debut with the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, anticipated for release in late 2023. It's worth noting that Pixie differs from Assistant with Bard (AWB), another AI feature showcased by Google in October.  

AWB functions as a conversational interface generating natural language responses based on Gemini’s capabilities. Google has stated that AWB will be accessible on Pixel devices early next year and is likely to be compatible with Samsung and iOS devices as well. 

Pixie could be seen as an evolution of AWB, or a different application of Gemini’s power. It is unclear why Google is making Pixie exclusive to Pixel devices, but it could be a way to differentiate its flagship phones from the competition. The report also suggests that Google is planning to bring Gemini-based AI features to its lower-end phones and wearable devices, such as its smartwatch.