Google is continuing to push forward with its AI-powered features for Android devices, and it appears that a new summarization tool for Files could be added to the list. Android Authority and 9to5Google have delved into the code of an upcoming beta release and uncovered a feature that will offer AI summaries for documents saved in Google’s Files app. While it’s possible that the feature may not make it to the final release or could be saved for a later update, it is clear that AI summaries in Files are actively being developed.
Google has already leveraged the power of generative AI in its search engine with AI overviews, which crawl and summarize vast amounts of text. However, this feature has faced challenges with inaccuracies and hallucinations, which can be attributed to the quality of information it gathers from the web. By focusing on summarizing files created by users, Google has the potential for much greater success.
The code reveals that Google’s AI model will search through text files and provide brief descriptions of each file’s content. This allows users to quickly scan the summary of a document instead of opening it when looking for specific information. Interestingly, it is believed that this feature will be supported by Gemini Nano, the smallest and most lightweight version of Gemini. This means that the summarization process will occur on the device itself rather than relying on cloud processing. Additionally, the code suggests that users will have the option to toggle this feature on or off in the Settings.
While some may be experiencing AI fatigue, it seems that Google is fully committed to incorporating AI into its devices. In a review of the recently released Google Pixel 9, Mashable’s Alex Perry commented on the overwhelming presence of AI, stating that the device has “officially too much AI.” However, Perry did find certain AI features, such as the ability to search for screenshots, to be genuinely useful. This suggests that AI summaries for Files may fall into the category of modest yet genuinely useful features. Only time will tell how successful and widely adopted this feature will be.
In conclusion, Google’s ongoing development of AI-powered features for Android devices includes a potential AI summarization tool for Files. By summarizing user-created files, Google aims to provide users with a quick overview of each document’s content. The use of the Gemini Nano device for on-device processing adds an extra layer of convenience and privacy. While some may view Google’s AI focus as excessive, there is potential for these features, including AI summaries for Files, to offer valuable functionality to users.