What is the Google Pixel 10 AI Assistant & How to Use It

Winning “Best Smartphone” awards from Mobile World Congress two years in a row, Google Pixel devices are already known for their powerful AI performance. But this year, the Pixel 10 could take things to the next level.

The newest Pixel portfolio, which Google announced on August 20 at an event in New York City, includes the standard Pixel 10 device, the Pro and Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While the $799 base model starting price remains, the Pixel lineup has seen plenty of upgrades in other areas. This includes a new Telephoto camera that brings the base model closer than ever before to the Pro and the Tensor G5 chip.

Google’s most powerful Tensor chipset yet is the first to run the latest Gemini Nano AI, an efficient on-device model designed specifically for Pixel phones. This includes Gemini, Google’s built-in AI assistant, which makes the Pixel 10 even more helpful than before. 

In this article, we’ll explain exactly why Google AI completes everyday tasks faster and more efficiently, and how to use it on your new Pixel 10 phone.

What is the Google AI Assistant?

Gemini is the default Google AI assistant on Pixel 9 and later phones, including the Pixel 10 range. The Gemini app is available on all Pixel devices that have 2 GB of RAM or more and support Android 10+ software.

While it may be Google’s most advanced model yet, rivalling Apple Intelligence, Gemini is still learning. That’s why this new AI feature works alongside the older Google Assistant model for full efficiency, allowing you to:

• Have a back-and-forth chat to get a deeper understanding of open-ended topics

• Use voice control to take quick actions, like sending messages

• Ask questions about your surroundings

• Summarize topics in lists, charts, or tables

• Discover which songs are playing

• Get help with writing and translating

• Generate images

• Get inspiration for activities, then plan them on Google Maps

• Find information quickly from Gmail or Google Drive
  

How to Activate the Google Assistant On Your Pixel 10

Since Gemini is the primary assistant on the Google Pixel 10, you won’t need to switch from Google Assistant to get started. Instead, simply open the Gemini app or activate Gemini by touch: long-press the power button or swipe up from the corner of your screen.

You can then quickly access Gemini’s personalized intelligence by saying “Hey Google” or holding down the power button. Change which button activates the assistant in your Gemini settings and, if “Hey Google” doesn’t work, ensure Voice Match is turned on.

To begin a conversation in the Gemini mobile app, tap Microphone, then say your question or prompt. If you’d rather not speak out loud, use the on-screen keyboard to type your query, before tapping Send. Google Photos can also be added to your prompt! Simply tap Image Picker in the Gemini app.

How to Use Google AI on the Pixel 10: 7 Unique Ways

Gemini App isn’t the only way to access artificial intelligence on your Pixel 10. The latest Pixel 10 hardware includes a variety of new AI features, offering everything from daily reminders to smart organization. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

1. Gemini Live

Originally launched on the Pixel 9 series, Gemini Live is a powerful AI-powered voice assistant that allows you to have natural, hands-free conversations. The Pixel 10 series comes with Gemini Live updates, including even more visual assistance. 

Share your camera and Gemini can see what you see, providing guidance by directly highlighting the solution on your screen. For example, if you’re looking for a particular type of shoe in a shop, simply hold your camera up to the selection and the AI assistant will select the right pair.

2. Magic Cue

The Magic Cue feature provides in-context support across multiple Google apps to efficiently find the information you’re looking for. It also suggests relevant actions to take after sourcing your information, running securely and privately through Gemini Nano and the Tensor G5 chip.

Looking for your airport schedule? Magic Cue pulls flight details and allows you to share them through Messages with just a tap, for example. 

Magic Cue is also available in your Discover feed, through a personalized Daily Hub. Find the weather, your favorite songs, what’s coming up on your calendar, things to keep on your radar, and more!

3. Voice Translate

Need to speak to someone in a different country? Google AI translates your phone calls in real time, closely matching the speaker's voice, helping you connect more naturally regardless of language barriers.

Translate to or from English with:

• German

• French

• Spanish

• Portuguese

• Italian

• Swedish

• Japanese

• Hindi

• Russian

• Indonesian

4. Take a Message

With Google’s Take a Message, you’ll no longer need to worry about missing calls. The feature automatically records real-time transcripts for missed or declined calls, before using advanced AI to identify next steps based on the message. Then, find your next steps suggestions easily in Call Notes!

5. Pixel Journal

The Pixel Journal app uses Google’s on-device AI to provide thoughtful journal prompts that help you build a lifelong practice of reflection. Write in your Pixel Journal each day and it will build insights into your patterns and progress over time, with a secure, personal space that remains locked until you open it.

6. Gboard

Whether you want to write more professional emails or friendlier texts, try Writing Tools in Gboard. This new AI experience for the Pixel 10 series spellchecks what you’re writing and offers rewrites specific to your chosen style. You can even rephrase using voice command to send quick messages on the go!

7. Camera Coach

Camera Coach provides step-by-step guidance to help you become a better photographer, with tips on lighting, composition, and more. Open the Camera app, point it at your subject, and Camera Coach will tell you how to perfectly capture the moment, from positioning the lens to asking your subject to look at the camera. 

Your Pixel device can then automatically find and combine similar photos if you’ve taken multiple shots, helping you create the best picture possible.

Final Thoughts

The Google Pixel 10 series is available for pre-order right now, with all except the Pro Fold shipping from August 28. And if you’re excited to utilize Gemini AI, the good news is that you can currently get one year of free Google AI Pro with each Pixel 10 Pro purchase!

Overall, the combination of a Pro-level camera system and the Tensor G5 chip with these advanced new Gemini AI features makes the Google Pixel 10 one of the best flagships on the market. It also looks set to be a great match for the upcoming iPhone 17 and its new Apple Intelligence features!