Google built a special next-gen photography chip that laid dormant inside of the new Pixel 2 smartphone, something that has just been activated for the first time ever in the new developer preview of Android 8.1.
The secret photography chip inside of Pixel 2 is called Pixel Visual Core, and is the first processor designed by Google in-house, with the search giant also having some help from Intel. The 8-core processor speeds up the software side of photography, providing Pixel 2 owners with impressive HDR+ processing and other AI-powered tasks.
Google says that the Pixel Visual Core inside of Pixel 2 is capable of being "five times faster" handling HDR+ photos then traditional processors, like the Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm - the SoC inside of Pixel 2. Third-party developers will be able to tap into the Visual Pixel Core, meaning apps like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat could be updated to handle the additional camera horsepower and abilities.
Google's new Tensor G5 benched early: up to 36% faster than current-gen Tensor G4 chip
Google's fully self-designed Tensor G5 chips made on TSMC 3nm node, breaks up with Samsung
Google Pixel 10 Pro smartphone concept: gorgeous design, vertical camera, Tensor G5 chip
Google to announce Pixel 10 smartphones, Pixel Watch 4, Tensor G5 chip on August 20
Samsung scratching its head 'intensively analyzing' why Google switched to TSMC chip production
RAM crisis is getting worse, Valve engineer warns
Xbox's return to exclusives was decided 'very early on' by CEO Asha Sharma
Xbox console exclusives can include multiplayer games too
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced sells over 3 million copies, New Game+ is coming
Modder plays GTA Vice City and GTA III on a TV inside GTA San Andreas
Enthusiast puts 11 fans and an AiO on an RTX 3080, gains only 4 FPS
Spotify removed 75 million AI-generated tracks in 2025 as it cracks down on royalty abuse
YouTuber claims Sony is using social media bots to push back against backlash over its physical disc announcement
Apple's first OLED iPad mini could launch as early as October
Ryzen 7 7700X3D outperforms Ryzen 7 5800X3D with just one stick of DDR5, making AM4 a terrible option for your next build
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 Headset Review - New and Improved, But Is It Enough?
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D Review - Days of Future Past
Samsung 990 2TB SSD Review - Ninth Gen QLC at PCIe Gen4 Speeds
ASUS ExpertBook Ultra (Panther Lake) 14" Business Laptop Review
ASUS ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller Review - Ready to Take Control
MOZA FMP18 Panel Bundle Review: authentic F/A-18 Hornet cockpit controls for flight sims
Micron 6600 ION 245.76TB Enterprise SSD Review - Best in Class Programming Speeds
MOZA MA3F EFCM Flight Control Module Review: authentic Airbus A320 autopilot panel for simulators
Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II Wireless Gaming Headset Review - Premium Sound, Fantastic Features
MOZA MGX1000 Instrument Panel Review: a realistic Garmin G1000 replica for immersive flight sims
I use this decade-old free tool that finds files faster than Windows Search does
I install and update most of my apps with this Windows command now, and I stopped downloading sketchy installers
Hisense U6SF 65-inch MiniLED TV: High Performance Meets Leisurely Convenience
I stopped digging through Windows menus after I set up this one folder
Don't sell your Windows laptop until you do these things
6 PC cleaning mistakes to avoid for safer hardware maintenance
Phison and Intel Take Aim at Local AI's Memory Wall with aiDAPTIV
How to Remap Keyboard Keys in Windows using Microsoft PowerToys
7 tips to organize your Windows files for faster, easier access
Intel Arc G3 Extreme first impressions with MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ - Incredible power for an extreme price