Older and new Pixel models to get four updated AI accessibility features

The company anticipated that this feature would boost Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro sales and encourage owners of older Pixel models to upgrade. However, earlier this year, Google surprised everyone by making the Magic Editor available to all Pixel models running Android 8 or higher, provided they have at least 4GB of RAM and a 64-bit chipset.

Consequently, my Pixel 6 Pro not only gained access to the Magic Editor but also the Unblur feature, which sharpens blurry photos, through the Google Photos app. Google often announces a new feature exclusively for its latest Pixel model, only to later roll it out to older Pixel models as well.

For instance, when Google launched the Pixel 8 series last year, it introduced the Magic Editor, a tool that uses AI to alter the sky’s color, move subjects within a photo, and rearrange items in the image.

Live Caption and Live Transcribe now offer support for additional languages.

Live Caption for Android displays the sounds emanating from your phone’s speakers in real time across all your apps. Starting now, support for Live Caption is being expanded to include seven additional languages: Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

These same seven languages are also being added to Live Transcribe, which will now operate in 15 languages without requiring cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. With an internet connection, Live Transcribe supports 120 languages, aiding over one billion Android users by providing real-time transcriptions of ambient sounds.

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For those with dual-screen foldable phones like the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold, a specialized version of Live Transcribe is now available. This dual-screen mode allows multiple viewers to simultaneously see the live transcription of conversations by placing the phone on a table, making both screens and the transcription visible to all participants. This feature is ideal for transcribing conversations during dinner or business meetings.

Google has announced its commitment to collaborating with the disability community and utilizing advanced AI technologies to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Even some non-Pixel Android phones and certain iPhone models are compatible with the Magic Editor.

Another feature being introduced to older Pixel models is Magnifier, which is exclusive to Pixel devices. Magnifier uses the camera to help users with impaired vision “zoom into the world around them.” Enhanced with AI, Magnifier can assist those with limited vision in locating specific words.

Examples provided by Google include finding vegetarian options on a menu or checking a flight’s departure time on an airport display. The feature uses a picture-in-picture format, allowing users to take a picture and zoom in for a closer look without losing their place. Additionally, the Selfie illumination feature can be activated to turn the front-facing camera into a mirror for applying makeup. Even more fascinating, all Android phones running Android 8 and above, as well as iPhone models with iOS 15 or later, can use the Magic Editor feature within the Google Photos app (though not Unblur).

These phones are limited to editing up to 10 images per month with Magic Editor unless users subscribe to the 2TB tier of Google One’s cloud storage service. Google is currently introducing new AI-driven accessibility features to older Pixel models. One such feature, Guided Frame, is specifically designed to assist users with vision impairments.

This feature provides audio instructions to help users properly position their faces for selfies or standard photos. It also helps those with limited vision achieve the correct camera angle.

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Guided Frame instructs users to tilt their heads up or down or move the camera left or right before automatically taking the photo. Additionally, it alerts users if the lighting is insufficient, encouraging them to find a brighter spot for the photo. This feature is now available through the camera settings.