Gen AI’s next frontier: How Apple, Google and others are closing in on AI-infused hardware

“Generative AI can drive the development of more powerful and efficient chipsets, as seen in Apple’s hardware. For example, integrating AI-specific processors or optimizing existing ones to handle AI tasks more effectively enhances overall device performance and user experience,” Souradip Chakraborty, a PhD grad student at University of Maryland and ML expert told indianexpress.com.

And the tech giant is reaping the benefits. Apple has become the first brand to surpass US$1 trillion in brand value, a 15% jump from last year, as per a global ranking by Kantar’s BrandZ.

The year of AI-infused hardware

Apple isn’t the only one. Amid rumours of a partnership with Apple, Google introduced a bunch of AI features like Gemini-nano running on edge devices, powering Pixel 8 Pro, and Project Astra by Google DeepMind at their Google I/O 2024 last month.

2024 is making out to be the year of AI infused hardware as Generative AI mass-marries gadgets. 

Smartphones just became smarter with Gen AI. Google Pixel 8 leverages AI to provide features like real-time language translation, predictive text, and advanced photo editing. Its Magic Eraser tool uses AI to remove unwanted objects from photos seamlessly. 

Google has also made its Gemini Nano AI model available to Pixel 8 and 8a devices, which will allow users to access the model as a developer. The search giant has also included Display Port connectivity support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, reverse phone number lookup for unknown numbers, fall and crash detection for Pixel Watch 2, and doorbell notifications on the Pixel tablet.

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro utilizes AI for everything from optimizing battery life to enhancing camera performance. The phone’s A17 Bionic chip includes a Neural Engine capable of performing over 15 trillion operations per second, enabling advanced features like real-time video analysis and personalized user experiences.

Chakraborty says this kind of hardware integration has to be sophisticated, “Apple devices increasingly use AI to improve user interaction. Features like predictive typing, voice recognition, and proactive suggestions are powered by AI, requiring sophisticated hardware integration to function seamlessly.” 

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said, “Our unique approach combines generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence. And it can access that information in a completely private and secure way to help users do the things that matter most to them. This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do.”

AI in in-home hardware 

Smart home devices are another major area where AI is making a significant impact. Last year, Amazon revealed new Gen AI-powered Alexa experiences, including a new generative AI model that gives the virtual assistant a more colourful personality and it can adjust its tone and response to express human emotions like enthusiasm or surprise. Dave Limp, senior VP of Amazon devices and services told CNN that Amazon aims to use AI “to create this great personal assistant”.

“We’ve been using all forms of AI for a long time, but now that we see this emergence of generative AI, we can accelerate that vision even faster,” he said.

Google Nest Hub uses machine learning to understand routines and preferences, adjusting lighting, temperature, and even offering personalized news and weather updates.

AI in wearables 

After smartphones and home devices, wearable tech is absolutely loving AI. Smartwatches already use AI to provide advanced health monitoring features like ECG readings, blood oxygen level measurement, sleep tracking, detecting irregular heart rhythms, and notifying users of potential health issues. Google’s Fitbit Sense, for example, incorporates AI to analyze user activity data and provide personalized health insights and recommendations. It can track stress levels, skin temperature, and even suggest mindfulness exercises based on user data. 

Apple, for example, has already got its digital assistant Siri built into the Apple Watch, so users can use voice commands to perform basic tasks like sending messages and identifying songs. Now that Siri will be joined by GPT 4o, we can expect much more from Apple Watch. As Tom’s Guide reported, “this could make the Apple Watch the AI device the Rabbit R1 never was,” referring to the ChatGPT-based virtual assistant device from Rabbit Inc.

New AI-powered gadgets on the horizon

And not only is Gen AI getting into (literally) our existing gadgets like smartphones, PCs, laptops, and home devices, it’s giving birth to new gadgets as well. If you have any doubts, take a look at Humane’s upcoming voice-controlled AI Pin and Rabbit’s AI-powered R1 which have been drawing a mixed reaction from experts but are definitely pushing ahead as new age Gen AI gadgets.

These wearable AI assistants that the user sports on their clothing answers questions both about the world and the user’s personal stuff like calendar and email. Screenless, it reflects a laser at the user’s palm when required. Its design purpose is to reduce the number of steps it takes right now to get information or reach an app.

“Our mission is to create the simplest computer – something so intuitive that you don’t need to learn how to use it,” Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu said at the company’s Consumer Electronics Show keynote in January.

Apart from these two, Brilliant Labs is coming out with its AI-enabled smart glasses, which are said to give the user “AI superpowers” by providing AI translations, web search, and visual analysis right in front of the user’s eyes. Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses will also sport AI, which will identify objects, monuments, and animals, as well as translate text.

AI has swiftly moved from the realm of science fiction into our daily lives, integrating with gadgets that promise to make our lives easier, smarter, and more responsive. From personal assistants to smart home devices, AI is being integrated into everyday gadgets and hardly a gadget user is left out.