New images of the Google Assistant have been leaked with Bard demonstrating how the digital AI assistant could work at launch.
sadykov nails posted the video on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) after discovering the feature in the Pixel Tips app. Apparently Google accidentally spilled the beans on its technology, so it's probably safe to say this is legit. It looks like something you'd see in one of the company's keyword posts explaining the feature in detail, except there's no audio.
According to the clip, there will be two ways to activate Assistant with Bard: by tapping the Bard app and saying “Hey Google,” or by pressing and holding the power button. A multi-modular input box rises from the bottom where you can type a text message, upload photos, or speak a verbal command. The demo goes on to show only the second method: someone takes a photo of a withered plant and then verbally asks for advice on how to save it.
Here is Google's official demo video of the Assistant with the Bard app for Pixel Tips. So maybe we'll see it in the next Pixel feature release? pic.twitter.com/XsDYIDROHVJanuary 28, 2024
A few seconds later, Assistant with Bard manages to correctly identify the plant in the image (it's a spider plant, by the way) and generates a wall of text explaining what can be done to revitalize it. It even links to several YouTube videos at the end.
Bard's assistant has something of a poorly kept secret. It was originally announced in October 2023, but there have been multiple leaks since then. The biggest data dump by far came in early January and revealed much of the user experience as well as “several features in development.” What's missing up to this point is news on whether Assistant with Bard will have any type of limitations. It turns out there may be some restrictions.
Wizard Limitations
Mishaal Rahman, another industry expert, dove into Pixel Tips for more information on the update. He claims that Assistant with Bard will only appear on single-screen Pixel smartphones with a Tensor chip. This includes the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 lines. Older models won't receive the update, and neither will the Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or the “rumored Pixel Fold 2.”
Additionally, mobile devices should be running Android 14 QPR2 beta “or the next QPR2 stable release,” although it will most likely be the latter. Rahman claims that he found a release date in the Pixels Tip app that hints at a launch in March 2024. It's important to note that March is also the expected release window for Android 14 QPR2 and the next feature drop for Pixel phones.
It is unknown if other Android devices will receive Assistant with Bard. It seems that for the moment it will be exclusive to Pixel. We could see the update elsewhere, however, considering key brands such as Samsung prefer to have their own AI, an Assistant with Bard expansion seems unlikely. But we could be wrong.
Until we know more, check out TechRadar's list of the best Pixel phones for 2024.
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