View post on imgur.comUpdate 1 (December 1, 2023)
05:30 pm (IST): Thanks to an APK teardown of the latest version 6.63.0.586138124 of the Google Photos app for Android, it has been established that Video Boost will be cloud-based, meaning it won’t work without an internet connection. Also, Video Boost can only be applied to videos that are already backed up in Google Photos, whether shot on the Pixel 8 Pro or not.
The APK teardown also revealed at least two video formats for downloading the boosted videos — AVC (good for compatibility with many systems) or HEVC (less compatibility, but better file size/quality ratio), although it’s possible Google may include more formats when the feature goes live later this month.
Original story follows:
Google revealed a bunch of new AI-powered camera tricks for the Pixel 8 Pro at launch, but features like Video Boost with Night Sight and Zoom Enhance (AI Super Res Zoom) were not available out of the box. In the announcement, Google said these features would become available “later this year” but with no specific timeframe. The November security update arrived with no sight of both features, and now all eyes are on the upcoming December update to finally bring Video Boost with Night Sight and Enhance Zoom support to the Pixel 8 Pro.
The next Google Pixel 8 Pro update is not only expected to bring the December security patch, but being the phone’s first Pixel Feature Drop, there’s a lot of expectation and anticipation. Beyond bug fixes and performance enhancements, Pixel 8 Pro users can look forward to the release of two of the most hyped AI camera features the phone was promised at launch.
With Video Boost, the Pixel 8 Pro will record smoother, HDR+ videos and use AI tricks to automatically adjust color, lighting, stabilization, and graininess. Google says the Pixel 8 Pro is able to achieve this thanks to a combination of the new camera hardware, Tensor G3 chipset and “the power of our data centers.” When the Video Boost feature comes to life at night, it becomes Night Sight Video. Essentially, this is a software trick meant to improve low-light video shooting with the help of AI. For people who enjoy night life, this could be a game changer. Below is a demo of the feature in action.
On the other hand, Zoom Enhance will allow Pixel 8 Pro users zoom impossibly far into photos to see what would otherwise be invisible in the original image. Google says the feature relies on generative AI to “intelligently fill in the gaps between pixels and predict fine details of an important part of your photo.” Ideally, this feature, also referred to as AI Super Res Zoom, will sharpen and enhance images to get you closer to details in specific parts of a photo. Check out Google’s demo below.
Sure, there’s no official word from Google confirming the December update will bring support for Video Boost with Night Sight and Zoom Enhance to the Pixel 8 Pro. But having confirmed the two will be made available later this year, and the December update is the last of the year, there can only be one outcome here. Still, you can never be too sure with release dates for features that rely on software updates, so we wait.
Featured image: Google
Hillary Keverenge
2122 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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