Business & Tech News: Google Pixel Event 2023

In our latest news roundup, we’re diving into various topics, from Adobe Firefly’s creation of highly realistic images to the recent Google Pixel Event 2023. So, keep an eye out for the full scoop on AI, devices, and security. Stay tuned for all the details.

AI

Highly realistic images from Adobe Firefly

Adobe released the Firefly Image 2 Model, an upgraded version of its AI-powered image creation service, producing now more realistic human rendering, including facial features, skin, body, and hands. Users have generated an impressive three billion images in the six months since Firefly’s launch, with a billion in the last month alone. The improved model was trained on more recent and larger datasets, improving image quality. Adobe plans to integrate this model into Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop, emphasizing generative editing for existing assets. Meanwhile, new controls for depth of field, motion blur, field of view, and style matching are now available in the Firefly web app.

Walmart is testing out generative AI tools designed to assist in planning events

Have you dreamt of always having a friend to go shopping with? Moreover, this is not a friend for mere chatting, but a friend who helps. In this case, Walmart is introducing generative AI features to assist shoppers with a shopping assistant, a search tool, and an interior design assistant. The shopping assistant will provide personalized product recommendations and answer questions interactively. For example, it will help you with the idea of the gift you should buy for your parents at Christmas.

Meanwhile, the generative AI search tool will improve query context understanding, simplifying product discovery. Let’s say you’re a homeowner looking to redecorate your living room. With the generative AI search tool, when you enter a query like “modern living room decor,” it not only provides relevant product suggestions but also understands your context. For instance, if you mention you prefer a minimalist style, it tailors its recommendations accordingly, simplifying your product discovery process. Thus, Walmart aims to make the shopping experience more efficient and interactive for customers by integrating these AI-driven features, following its previous introduction of the “My Assistant” AI app for corporate employees. Now, you, as a customer, have a great shopping assistant.

Devices

Mobile app ChatGPT achieved its highest-ever revenue of $4.58 million

ChatGPT’s mobile app experienced a positive trend with record-breaking downloads and revenue. It achieved 15.6 million installs in September and nearly $4.6 million in gross income across iOS and Android. However, revenue growth slowed to 20% in September, raising questions about the possible saturation of ChatGPT’s $19.99 monthly subscription service. Notably, a competitor called Ask AI has outperformed ChatGPT in terms of revenue due to extensive ad spending. Despite revenue figures, ChatGPT still netted around $3.2 million after app store deductions in September. The U.S. remains the largest market for the chatbot app, contributing to 60% of its revenues.

Google Pixel Event 2023

On October 4th, 2023, the Google Pixel Event took place in New York. During Google’s Pixel Event, the company unveiled 3 new products: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones and the Pixel Watch 2. Google has also updated Pixel Buds Pro and released Android 14. Let’s take a closer look at some of new products.

Google introduces AI-driven image improvement tools for its latest Pixel smartphones

Google introduced AI-driven features for its Pixel 8 series phones, including Magic Editor, which allows background manipulation, and Best Take, which combines multiple photos for the best group shot. Magic Editor allows object shifting and resizing, and AI reconstructs backgrounds accordingly. The feature recommends context-based edits and offers multiple edit results. The Best Take feature combines multiple shots to ensure everyone looks good in a group photo, and it also allows selecting expressions from different shots. These features will be available on the Pixel 8 series from October 12, with additional enhancements in the Pixel 8 Pro, like Magic Eraser and Zoom Enhance.

Google Pixel Watch 12

Recently, Google introduced the Pixel Watch 2, the successor to its first smartwatch. The new watch focuses on improving health tracking with better heart rate monitoring and additional sensors for stress management. The body-response sensor and skin temperature sensor can detect stress moments and offer interventions like guided breathing exercises. It also features automatic workout tracking for 7 exercise types, including running and cycling. Moreover, there is Safety Check as a new addition; it allows users to check in and share their location with emergency contacts. The watch offers up to 24 hours of battery life with an always-on display. Preorders start at $349, with shipping on October 12.

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Google’s new Pixel Buds Pro earbuds offer improvements over previous models. Priced at $199, they come with active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and a 3-mic array for improved voice calls. The earbuds also feature wireless charging. While the Pixel Buds Pro works well with Pixel devices, it can also function with other Android devices and even iPhones. Integration with Pixel devices offers deeper settings adjustments. Earbuds also support multipoint connections to 2 devices simultaneously and can switch between them. The call quality is sharp, and the sound quality is good for daily music streaming and podcast listening. The earbuds have an 11-hour battery life with ANC off and 7 hours with it on, extending to 20 hours with the case. IPX4 water resistance and Find My Device features are also included.

The Android 14

Google released Android 14, a new mobile operating system, introducing improved customization options and accessibility features. It will first roll out to Pixel devices and then to other Android devices later this year. Key features of Android 14 include the ability to switch between wallpapers, customize lock screen shortcuts, new lock screen templates, and AI-driven dynamic changes to the lock screen based on the user’s current situation, such as weather updates. Google Assistant also receives an AI-powered update, combining Google Assistant with Bard for more intelligent responses and expanded capabilities. The Call Screen feature helps users filter and manage calls, with the AI answering calls and reducing spam calls by 50%.

Security

Google made passkeys for signing in for all users

Google makes passkeys the default sign-in method for all users, gradually phasing out traditional passwords. Passkeys are a more secure alternative, combining user biometrics or PINs with server-held and device-stored parts. This dual-part system significantly reduces the risk of remote attacks. Google reports that 64% of users find passkeys easier to use than traditional methods, and signing in with passkeys is 40% faster than passwords.

Microsoft warns that AI-powered hackers pose a greater challenge to defend against

With the rapid development of AI, another side of the coin emerges. This time, according to recent Microsoft research, hackers leverage AI and encryption in innovative ways, making cyberattacks more sophisticated. These cybercriminals use AI tools to refine their phishing attack language and influence operation imagery. Besides, a new ransomware development involves remotely encrypting data on separate computers, reducing evidence and complicating recovery efforts. Over the last year, around 60% of human-operated ransomware attacks employed this tactic. With these AI and encryption tools, hackers challenge organizations’ cybersecurity, leading to a surge in attacks, including a doubling of general data exfiltration attacks and a 200% increase in human-operated ransomware attacks.