All articles tagged with #gemini nano
Google is rolling out Battery Usage Summaries to Pixel 10 and newer devices, offering a simpler view of battery drain by highlighting the apps and background activity that consume the most power; the summaries are generated on-device (Gemini Nano) and the rollout is confirmed via the Pixel support page.
Google is reportedly testing an AI-powered Battery Usage Summaries feature for Pixel phones that runs on-device using Gemini Nano to analyze only apps actively used in the last 14 days, excludes system apps, and provides personalized tips to improve battery life. It appears in Android 17 QPR 2 Beta 3 and can be toggled in the Battery Health menu, but isn’t fully functional yet and may require Gemini Nano-capable hardware (likely Pixel 8 or newer).
Reports say Google Chrome may have quietly downloaded a 4GB on-device AI model called Gemini Nano to some devices without user permission. The model runs locally, assessing tasks like scam-detection and text analysis, and will auto-uninstall if there aren’t enough resources. Users can disable or remove it via Chrome settings or by fully uninstalling Chrome; Mac and Windows steps are provided to check for and delete the model. Privacy concerns and possible legal implications are noted, with Google saying users can turn off or remove the feature if needed.
Google Chrome reportedly rolled out a 4GB on-device AI model called Gemini Nano to eligible desktops between late April and early May 2026 without user consent or a prompt. The model runs locally (not via Google servers) and can be removed by toggling off On-device AI or uninstalling Chrome, with specific steps for Mac and Windows to detect and delete the files. Google says the model will auto-uninstall if resources are insufficient and has introduced a setting to disable or remove it; privacy advocates warn the rollout could violate GDPR and raise concerns about transparency and user control.
Chrome has been quietly downloading a 4GB on-device AI model file named weights.bin to power Gemini Nano features, often after Chrome 148.0.7778.97, without user consent. To check on macOS, go to ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/OptGuideOnDeviceModel/weights.bin and verify its size. To remove it permanently, disable On-device AI in Chrome Settings > System (this also stops future downloads); if the toggle isn’t present yet, use chrome://flags to disable AI-related flags and manually delete weights.bin. If you’re uncomfortable with this, consider switching to another browser.
Windows 11 introduces a registry policy called GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings that lets admins block Google Chrome (and Edge) from automatically downloading the 4GB Gemini Nano on‑device AI model. Set GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings to 1 under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome to block the model (0 allows it). The policy supports dynamic refresh, works for Windows 11 Pro via Group Policy or registry edits, and is also available on macOS (not on iOS).
Chrome quietly downloads a 4GB Gemini Nano model to support on-device AI features (the file is weights.bin in the OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder) when you opt in, without clear notification; you can disable On-device AI in Chrome Settings to reclaim space, and Google says the model will auto-uninstall if storage is low, with a recent option to turn off or remove it.
A 4GB file named weights.bin has surfaced in Chrome folders, tied to Gemini Nano on-device AI that runs features like autofill and text summaries; Google says the model is downloaded to keep on-device features ready and has added an opt-out, but concerns remain about transparency and consent as users may not be clearly informed of the storage impact. Deleting it may not be permanent if related AI features stay enabled.
A security researcher says Google Chrome secretly stores about 4GB of an on-device Gemini Nano AI model on users’ devices (in a folder called OptGuideOnDeviceModel) without requesting consent. Google claims the on-device model powers security features and can be turned off or removed in Chrome settings, with automatic uninstall if resources are low; some users may still see re-downloads if they haven’t fully disabled it. Users can check chrome://on-device-internals to verify presence and chrome://flags or system settings to disable the feature.
Google Chrome’s built-in Gemini Nano AI features can download a 4GB weights.bin on-device model file into the browser, stored in the OptGuideOnDeviceModel directory. If those On-Device AI features are enabled, the file may re-download and isn’t easily removed just by deleting it, so users must disable On-Device AI in Settings > System to stop future downloads. Google notes the size can vary with updates, and clearer disclosure or an option to use cloud-based models could have avoided confusion.
Google says AICore may temporarily consume a large amount of storage while background AI model updates run, keeping both the old and new models for up to three days as a rollback fail-safe, and freeing the extra space automatically once the update is stable (some users may see 10–11 GB temporarily).
Samsung's Galaxy S26 may be the first non-Pixel device to use Google's Scam Detection via Gemini Nano on-device AI and Android CallCore, offering spam-call protection with privacy benefits, though official availability remains unclear ahead of next month's launch.
Google is gradually rolling out AI Weather Reports to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a devices with the Gemini Nano update, providing brief weather summaries that are similar to those available on Pixel 9 series, though they offer limited additional insights.
An Android AICore update is rolling out to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, enabling on-device GenAl features through Gemini Nano. The update, which appears in Developer options, requires overnight charging and Wi-Fi for full functionality. Initially limited by RAM, Gemini Nano is now available on more devices, including the base Galaxy S24, and powers features like Summarize in Pixel Recorder and Gboard Smart Reply.
Google's Gemini Nano AI model, previously unavailable on the Pixel 8 due to RAM limitations, will now be offered as a developer option in the next software update. The company aims to have AI features like smart reply "RAM resident," permanently occupying memory for instant access. However, enabling Gemini Nano may impact system performance, raising questions about the trade-off for users.