Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8a Get Android AICore Update Ahead of Gemini Nano Rollout: Report Reveals

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a Receive Android AICore Update Ahead of Gemini Nano Rollout: Report

Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a are set to receive support for on-device generative AI (GenAI) capabilities using Gemini Nano. Reportedly, the company has released an update to a system component, enabling users to manually enable this functionality. Currently, Gemini Nano is supported on select smartphones, including Google's flagship Pixel 8 Pro and the recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

Google has confirmed that Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a will also feature support for Gemini Nano, facilitating on-device GenAI features.

AICore Update and Hidden Toggle

In a teardown of the latest AICore APK for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, Android Authority discovered two toggles expected to appear in the developer options menu. The first toggle, "Enable AICore Persistent," allocates a portion of the device's memory to run persistently.

Meanwhile, the "Enable on-device GenAI Features" toggle allows users to enable or disable GenAI features on their smartphone. The description for this toggle indicates that it controls AI features powered by AICore and utilizing Google's Gemini AI model.

Reportedly, Gemini Nano functionality on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a could require activation through the developer options menu. While Google may introduce these features via a Pixel Feature Drop, it remains uncertain if the newly discovered toggles will be relocated within the Settings app.

The teardown also discloses the locations of these settings on Pixel smartphones once activated. Users would need to navigate to Developer Options > AICore Settings within the Settings app on their devices and enable both the "Enable on-device GenAI Features" and "Enable AICore Persistent" toggles.

Enabling the Toggles on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a Unlocks Gemini Nano-Powered Features

Activating the toggles on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a should enable some, if not all, Gemini Nano-powered features such as Write for Me, Summarize in Pixel Recorder, and Smart Reply for Gboard. The presence of these new toggles on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a suggests that owners of the Pixel 8 series (including Pixel 8 Pro) should also have the ability to toggle these features off if they prefer not to have AI features enabled on their smartphones.