Google expands AI weather forecasts to Pixel 8 devices

Google’s Pixel Weather app has begun rolling out AI-powered forecasts to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a devices, expanding beyond the Pixel 9 series where the feature originally debuted. This marks a significant expansion of the locally-generated AI weather feature, which had previously been limited to Google’s newest flagship phones despite older devices having the necessary Gemini Nano AI capabilities.

What you should know: The AI forecast feature requires Gemini Nano to be enabled and updated to the latest model version.
• Users need to activate Gemini Nano in their phone’s Developer Settings to access the AI-powered weather predictions.
• The latest Gemini Nano model must be installed, though users may be automatically prompted to update when launching Pixel Weather.
• Reports from Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a users on platforms like Telegram and Reddit confirm the feature is now working on their devices.

The big picture: Google initially launched Pixel Weather exclusively for the Pixel 9 series before expanding basic app availability to older Pixel models, but kept AI forecasts limited to newer hardware.
• The October Pixel Drop brought Pixel Weather to the Pixel 6 family and newer devices, but without AI-powered forecasts.
• Pixel 8 series devices received Gemini Nano access last year, theoretically preparing them for on-device AI features like weather forecasts.
• The delayed rollout suggests Google may have been testing or refining the feature before broader deployment.

Why this matters: This expansion makes Google’s advanced weather AI accessible to millions more Pixel users who already own compatible hardware.
• Pixel Weather has become a standout feature among Android weather apps, offering locally-generated AI insights rather than relying on cloud processing.
• The move demonstrates how Google is leveraging existing on-device AI capabilities to enhance user experiences across its device ecosystem.
• Local AI processing provides weather insights without requiring internet connectivity or raising privacy concerns about data transmission.