Google is all set to start the production of its Pixel smartphones in India. The tech giant will be manufacturing its flagship smartphones in Tamil Nadu. The company is also likely to produce drones in the southern state. The news was also confirmed by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin who said that for the first time Google Pixel manufacturing Unit to be set up in Tamil Nadu.
The new production facilities will be established in partnership with Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese contract manufacturer. Additionally, its subsidiary, Wing, may start assembling drones in Tamil Nadu.
The tech giant has shown interest in establishing a plant near Chennai after a visit by a state delegation, including Industries Minister Rajaa and Foxconn executives, to the US. There they met senior Google officials in Mountain View, California.
This came after Google announced its plans to start manufacturing Pixel 8 smartphones in India in 2023. However, at that time the company did not specify the exact location.
Google is not the first company to locally produce its smartphones in India. Apple has relocated a portion of iPhone production from China to India, while Samsung Electronics Co. has also established assembly operations in the country.
The latest development will further boost the mobile manufacturing ecosystem in Tamil Nadu. Alongside Tata's electronics operations and component ecosystem, the southern state leads India’s mobile phone manufacturing sector.
Meanwhile, Google is introducing AI-powered editing features to older Pixel smartphones. These features were previously only available on the Google Pixel 8 lineup. The tech giant had promised to make AI features like Magic Editor accessible to all users starting May 15, and it has now started rolling out these new features. Users of older Pixel smartphones reported the arrival of AI-powered editing features on their devices via Reddit. One of the main features being rolled out to these smartphones is Magic Editor. Smartphones such as the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 7, which previously did not have these features, are now receiving them.
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