C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL; DR
- Pixel Screenshots is moving away from using only on-device AI and will start using cloud processing as well.
- It can use Google’s Private AI Compute technology to keep your data private and secure.
- The update is not widely rolled out, but it may reach more users soon.
When Google launches Pixel Screenshots app With the Pixel 9, it used in-device artificial intelligence running on the phone’s Tensor chip to organize and recall your screenshots. It was also very good. However, the company apparently decided it needed cloud-based AI processing to power the app, at least in some cases.
The latest version of Pixel Screenshots (v1.26.134.11) comes with a settings change that highlights its shift from on-device only AI to using both on-device and cloud-based AI.
The old app specifically stated, “Search your screenshots with on-device AI.” However, the new version changes this to “Search your screenshots with AI”. The explanation below the switch also reflects the change, with new text stating that data can be processed on-device or in the cloud.
It’s unclear exactly what new features will be available with cloud-based AI. However, if you’re concerned about privacy, Google says it will at least use a “secure, isolated environment” to process your screenshots. This may mean that the app will use Google Personal AI computing to strengthen the program.
This is most likely the Pixel Magic Cue and Recorder apps also started using Personal AI Computing late last year to provide timely suggestions and improved transcriptions in more languages, respectively. Google says that Private AI Compute allows for “expanded capabilities while preserving the privacy assurance of in-device functions.”
The Pixel Screenshots update that brings this change hasn’t rolled out yet, so you might not see it in the Play Store. However, it may reach more users soon.
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