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A24 technology
Tuesday 16 OcTOber 2018

Google Pixel 3 phone aims to automate more daily tasks

By ANICK JESDANUN taps to add the informa- face for the selfie camera
AP Technology Writer tion to your contact list. to automatically take the
NEW YORK (AP) — There’s Then there’s the task of shot.
not much about the physi- tagging which is number is For regular photos, Google
cal details of Google’s for home, work or cell, and captures extra shots as al-
new Pixel 3 phone that you what context you met that ternatives, in case some-
can’t find elsewhere. That person in. That much man- one blinks or blocks the
bigger display and curved agement might incline you view, though Google’s
design? Apple and Sam- to let those piles of business recommendations aren’t
sung phones already have cards keep stacking up. always spot on, as even
that. A SMART STAND-IN humans can disagree on
But the Pixel doesn’t intend Place the phone on an what looks best.
to wow people with its hard- optional $79 Pixel Stand The camera also uses soft-
ware anyway. It’s really a charging station, and it ware to combine multiple
showcase for Google’s lat- can display a rotating set versions of images, essen-
est advances in software, of images from an album tially filling in some gaps so
particularly in artificial intel- you choose. Or you can that zoomed-in shots come
ligence. trust Google to select the out sharper than they nor-
Google wants to help best shots. mally would.
you manage daily life, Soon, you’ll be able to let It starts to cross the line of
from screening unwanted Google’s facial-recogni- digital manipulation, but
phone calls to predict- tion technology just pick pictures do look nice. It’s
ing what you’ll type. The out photos of your family, still no replacement from
software underscores This Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, file photo shows the Google including new shots as you a real zoom, which the lat-
how Google is tapping its Pixel 3 XL, left, and Google Pixel 3 smartphones in New York. take them (though not in est Apple and Samsung
strengths in personaliza- Associated Press the European Union, where phones offer via a second
tion — and perhaps make Google’s voice assistant forcing friends to repeat privacy regulations are lens. Google turns to soft-
money through ads in the takes over and asks for a themselves over and over tighter.) ware to make up for what
process. name and purpose of the to a robot. The photo display will it lacks in hardware.
You get free services in ex- call. Transcribed respons- TEXT RECOGNITION take you down memory A NOTE ON PRIVACY
change for letting Google es appear in real time, so Point the camera at a busi- lane, as images from past Google executives em-
deeper into your life. The you can decide whether ness card, flyer or other trips, weddings and fam- phasize that much of the AI
Pixel isn’t likely to work for to pick up. You can even printed text, and Google ily events come up. If only analysis is taking place on
anyone uncomfortable request more information will try to extract phone Google was smart enough the phone, not Google’s
with that trade-off. by tapping buttons such as numbers and addresses. It to remove the party shots servers. When screening
As impressive as Google’s “Tell me more.” also works with QR and bar- never meant for public, so- calls, for instance, all inter-
ambitions are, though, AI is It’s a good concept, codes. If this sounds famil- ber viewing. actions stay private unless
still new at the job of saving though it’s not clear that iar, it’s because it is. The stand works well as a you report the number as
us from meaningless tasks. it really saves time. You still Last year’s Pixel phones bedside companion. Be- spam, in which case it gets
That may not come until need to follow the voice had this Google Lens fea- fore bed, it offers to set your added to Google’s data-
an eventual Pixel 9 or Pixel assistant’s chatter; taking ture , while Samsung has a alarm. In the morning, one base as a warning to oth-
13. The Pixel 3, out Thursday the call and hanging up similar feature called Bixby tap gets you the weather, ers. The basic text recog-
starting at about $800, is for would often be faster. Per- Vision. upcoming calendar events nition for the Google Lens
those who can’t wait. haps Google’s assistant The difference: Before, you and details about traffic feature and the camera’s
CALL SCREENING could one day handle all had to tap something to on your commute. It’s not image processing also are
No doubt you’ve gotten that for you without even activate a feature. Now it’s perfect, though: Google done on the device.
an automated call from a ringing the phone, then automatic. still hasn’t figured out that I But more advanced
telemarketer pitching low- decide based on the re- The feature is most useful if don’t own a car and have Google Lens features, such
er interest rates or vacation sponse whether to interrupt you have a business card no use for driving direc- as recognizing museum
shares. Google now lets your game of “Fortnite.” or flyer handy when you’re tions. Or that I don’t need paintings, require sending
you fight back with an au- But legitimate callers would ready to make a call, visit commute information on data to Google’s servers.
tomated response. still find this annoying. a website or get directions weekends. So do most of the requests
When a mystery call comes It didn’t help that I kept tap- through Google Maps. SMART SNAPPING you make on the Pixel
in, just hit “Screen call.” ping “I can’t understand,” You still need a few extra Just smile or make a funny stand.q

Louisiana considers special recognition for STEM work

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) consider the new diploma tion news release says silver the full board for approval cent meet the benchmark
— Louisiana students who endorsements for comple- seals will go to those who Wednesday. demonstrating their readi-
complete specified cours- tion of what are popularly complete a subset of spec- The department says the ness for math and science
es in science, technology, known as STEM courses. ified STEM courses. A gold proposed endorsements coursework in college,”
engineering and mathe- State education superin- seal will go to those who are part of the state’s White said in the news re-
matics may soon be able tendent John White says complete all of the courses. broader push to boost lease. “Louisiana is working
to earn special endorse- the endorsements — rep- BESE’s Academic Goals STEM education and ca- to change this by ensuring
ments on their high school resented by a gold or silver and Instructional Improve- reer preparation. students have exposure to
diplomas. Louisiana Board seal on diplomas — will be ment Committee will vote “More than half of Louisi- STEM coursework and cre-
of Elementary and Sec- an incentive to engage in on the diploma endorse- ana students are interest- dentials starting in the ear-
ondary Education mem- STEM course work. ments Tuesday. The item ed in pursuing careers in ly grades and continuing
bers are scheduled soon to A Department of Educa- is expected to move to STEM fields, but only 10 per- through college.”q