Google Ensures Only Large RAM Cell Phones Can Run Gemini AI
Google Gemini illustration.
Google is bringing the AI Gemini model to a number of Pixels in early 2024 and not all cellphones can run the AI Gemini Nano model, including the Pixel 8. At that time, Google only mentioned that there were hardware limitations that meant Gemini Nano could not run on the Pixel 8. Only now has Google revealed that the limitation is in the RAM section.
"Pixel 8 Pro with 12GB RAM is the most suitable platform for running Gemini Nano," said Google VP of Devices and Services Software Seang Chau as quoted by Tech Spot.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 only has 8GB RAM, and Google doesn't want to degrade the user experience by forcing its AI model to run on devices with 8GB RAM.
Google then changed its mind, and announced that the Gemini Nano would also be released for the Pixel 8, but with special conditions. That is, it can only be accessed via "developer options".
In the podcast, Chau explains that several AI-based features on the Gemini Nano will be "stored" in RAM permanently, for example the smart reply feature. This needs to be done so that the feature can be accessed immediately when the user needs it.
Although Google has previously stated that Gemini will not be stored permanently in RAM, either on the Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, unless the user activates the developer flag for this feature.
So, when activated, several features such as smart reply will permanently occupy RAM when the cellphone is on, even if the Gemini Nano is not in use. So the remaining RAM capacity for other purposes will be reduced. This is what made Google initially not want to release the Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8, which only has 8GB RAM.