nostr:nprofile1qqsvzkj6vkvxu745zdx7uw4c2f2d5hzafvzw0z60zmyzsdce9564rpgpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7mtxgrd Does the GOS crew have any dirt on the new Pixels? Think the leaks are legit?
Leaked: Google Pixel 9 info
It's unclear if this is a real leak, or Google purposefully marketing their stuff (likely the 2nd). From the leak, a random Russian websites got images and dimensions: [1]
Pixel 9: 6.24"
Pixel 9 Pro: 6.34"
Pixel 9 XL: 6.73"
The Verge is reporting the Pixel 9 will have AI scan screenshots similar to Microsoft's Recall. Wiping this with a custom ROM may end this OS-level feature, although it's unclear yet if it will be integrated with the hardware. [2] As a reminder, Google's newer models (8+) already include the "Find My Device". This and price are why I recommend the 6a.
AndroidAuthority is reporting on the leak as well, saying there will be a price increase. Vanilla models going up 100 euros in France. [3]
Sources:
[1] https://rozetked.me/news/33304-eksklyuziv-fotografii-vseh-modeley-google-pixel-9-ot-rozetked
[2] https://www.theverge.com/24196571/google-pixel-9-pro-xl-9a-fold-rumors-leaks-camera
[3] https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-9-series-france-prices-3459857/
Discussion
I know about as much as everyone else does, to be honest.
Usually news on leaks for Pixels end up being consistent with the real product so I do believe it somewhat. I don't have any dirt myself 🤷♂️
The push for AI worries me. It always seems to be privacy-violating by default. Will that just be disabled, or is it something that can be reigned in?
Nothing of the sort would come in GrapheneOS. It's an opt-in by using stock apps for some features, but more invasive ones that are privileged like circle to search don't exist at all.
A lot of the AI use is quite limited in practice and are instead just features of stock OS apps being marketed as AI. You can get the photo editing features they market as AI like Magic Eraser by installing Google Photos on GrapheneOS with Play services. A lot of generic Google app AI features aren't even on-device but done over the cloud.
There's nothing for us to fix because we can't disable what doesn't exist here. The only functionality that's included in GrapheneOS is hardware acceleration for image processing, neural nets, etc. which we make use of. We provide HDR+ and Night mode the Camera app with it. We had to make new Camera app a long time ago just to get them, because the AOSP camera didn't have it.
That Pixel Screenshots feature appears to just be a feature to search text within and metadata of screenshots, iPhone had that for a while but didn't give it the AI push like Google did. That wouldn't be in GrapheneOS because our apps do not have any feature like that. If it has privileged/invasive access then it would probably never even be considered even if we could.
Thanks, a wealth of info as usual. I thought these "AI" features were more woven into some other necessary service/app. Thanks for the clarification.
Most "AI" bring marketed is just hogwash at this point.
The insidious part is pre-encrypted hardware scanning of everything, just like the latest windows nonsense. That will be used negsrioisly as more hardware with "AI" chipsets are pushed out into the world.