All the pieces new coming to your telephone, watch, and pill

Google is rolling out a raft of options and tweaks to its varied Pixel units as a part of its December 2024 Pixel Drop. From Pixel telephones and the Pixel Pill to smartwatches, there’s one thing for everybody. So what ought to we learn about this Pixel Drop? Try our record under!

The majority of those new Pixel Drop options are (unsurprisingly) coming to Pixel telephones, starting from Gemini to improved Pixel Screenshots performance and extra.

• New Name Display screen options: We noticed proof of AI Replies in Name Display screen final month, and the wait is over. Google will use the Gemini Nano AI mannequin to generate smarter instructed replies whereas utilizing Name Display screen. These improved replies ought to scale back the necessity so that you can reply a screened name. This function solely applies to the Pixel 9 sequence (together with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold) within the US. Google can be bringing an Automated Name Screening view to the Pixel 4 sequence and better within the US. This allows you to check out the dialog between the caller and the AI agent whereas the decision is being routinely screened. It’s price noting that Google already presents a reside transcription of your name when it’s manually screened.
• Pixel Screenshots app brings extra enhancements: The corporate’s Pixel Screenshots app can now routinely categorize your screenshots so you’ll be able to extra simply discover your required photographs. Google additionally says now you can use Circle to Search to simply save screenshots to the Pixel Screenshots app. We really found proof for this integration manner again in August, so we’re glad to see it’s lastly obtainable. These upgrades apply to the Pixel 9 sequence (together with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold) in English.
• Save Pixel Screenshots to Google Pockets: In a nifty transfer, the Pixel Screenshots app now allows you to add screenshots of bank cards and tickets to Google Pockets. That is coming to the Pixel 9 sequence and Pixel 9 Professional Fold in English.
• Pixel Screenshots in Gboard: Gboard will now supply film, music, product, and different textual content solutions out of your screenshots whereas looking out in supported apps. This may be enabled by toggling the “Present solutions out of your screenshots in different apps” choice within the Pixel Screenshots app. As soon as once more, this is applicable to the Pixel 9 sequence, together with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. You’ll be able to view our full rundown of Pixel Screenshots modifications on the hyperlink.
• Extremely HDR photographs in Instagram: The Pixel 7 and eight telephones already help capturing and sharing Extremely HDR photographs on Instagram as of the March 2024 Pixel Drop. Now, the Pixel 9 sequence and Pixel 9 Professional Fold are getting in on the motion.
• Photograph Picker in Snapchat: Google not too long ago pushed third-party apps to help the Android Photograph Picker for improved privateness, and this now applies to Snapchat. Anticipate to see this alteration on the Pixel 6 sequence and newer.
• Twin Display screen in Portrait Mode: Like many foldable telephones, Google’s Pixel Fold units can concurrently present the digital camera preview on each the foldable and canopy screens. This performance didn’t help Portrait Mode at first, however that modifications with the December 2024 Pixel Drop. This variation applies to each the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
• Made You Look involves Pixel Fold: The Made You Look function performs cute animations in your Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s cowl display to get your little one’s consideration for a photograph. Fortunately, it’s now coming to the unique Pixel Fold too. 
• Pleasure in Made You Look: Google can be including the character Pleasure from Disney’s Inside Out films to Made You Look. For now, this solely applies to the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Sadly, this isn’t a everlasting addition, as Google says it’ll be obtainable till December 3, 2025.
• Pixel Studio stickers come to Gboard: We noticed hints of Google bringing Pixel Studio stickers to Gboard again in October, and this performance is now obtainable within the December Pixel Drop. This could make it simpler so that you can share your created stickers in different apps. That is obtainable on the Pixel 9 sequence (together with the Fold) in English.
• Recorder will get Clear Voice mode: We noticed a Clear Voice mode within the Recorder app two days in the past, and it seems that is additionally a part of the December 2024 Pixel Drop. This function successfully introduces a noise cancelation toggle to the Pixel 9 household’s Recorder app to scale back background noise and distracting sounds. This ought to be helpful if you happen to’re recording an interview, lecture, or lesson in a loud atmosphere.
• Easy view: We’ve seen easy or straightforward navigation modes in Android telephones for roughly a decade now, and Google is lastly bringing an analogous function to the Pixel 6 sequence and newer. This will increase your telephone’s font measurement and contact sensitivity (amongst different tweaks) within the identify of accessibility. This function has been within the works for some time now, as we first noticed it manner again in February 2024. You’ll be able to learn our complete explainer right here.
• Album artwork for Now Taking part in: We not too long ago reported that Google’s glorious Now Taking part in function would get album artwork on the historical past web page (Settings > Sound and vibration > Now Taking part in), and that is formally coming as a part of the most recent Pixel Drop. You’ll want a Pixel 6 sequence machine or later.
• Identification examine: We beforehand lined this theft-protection function, but it surely’s now rolling out to all Tensor-powered Pixels. Identification Test forces you to make use of biometric authentication to alter delicate settings once you’re in an untrusted location. That’s helpful in case your telephone has been stolen and the thief is aware of your PIN.
• Pixel-exclusive VPN involves Pixel Pill: Google quietly introduced its VPN service to the Pixel Pill final week, and it’s now made this official as a part of the December Pixel Drop. This can be a long-overdue transfer because the VPN service was inexplicably unique to Pixel telephones for some time now.
• Pixel Pill will get lock display widgets: Again in September, we reported that lock display widgets have been obtainable on the Pixel Pill working an Android 15 QPR1 beta. You don’t want a beta model for this function anymore because it’s now obtainable as a part of the Pixel Drop. Merely swipe proper out of your lock display to view these widgets.

Google has additionally introduced just a few options coming to Android telephones and tablets basically. So that you gained’t want a Pixel telephone for these additions.

• Automated enhancements to captured paperwork: All of us take snaps of paperwork like receipts, varieties, and ID playing cards, however Google Drive will now routinely enhance the standard of those scans. These automated enhancements embrace distinction and white steadiness tweaks, in addition to shadow removing and deblurring.
• Expressive Captions: We beforehand informed you about new Stay Caption options being within the works just a few months in the past, together with an “emotional depth” function. A few of these options are actually reside within the type of Expressive Caption help. It will convey the “depth and emotion” of speech and conditions with additions like “[gasp]” and “[cheers and applause].” You’ll even see some captions in all caps when the speaker is absolutely excited. This accessibility function is coming to the Pixel 6 and newer, together with “different suitable Android units.”
• Gemini Stay helps extra languages: The extra responsive model of Google’s chatbot is now obtainable in extra languages. This comes a few months after the agency first introduced that Gemini Stay is increasing to help over 40 languages. The corporate says this expanded help applies to “choose units, languages, and nations.” For what it’s price, Gemini Stay is accessible on just about all Android telephones.
• Gemini Superior will get a saved data function: Gemini Superior can now bear in mind your pursuits and preferences for future queries. Which means you’ll be able to inform the chatbot that you simply’re a vegetarian and future queries about recipes and eating places will take this under consideration. This isn’t a Pixel-exclusive function both and might be obtainable to all Android telephones and Gemini on the net. You’ll be able to learn a full rundown right here.
• Gemini helps system options and extra Google apps: Google confirmed that Gemini can now management your machine settings, open your digital camera for a selfie, set alarms, make calls, compose and ship texts. Google says the chatbot additionally has a Spotify extension to play your songs and podcasts. Anticipate these options to land on the Pixel 6 sequence and newer. Nonetheless, Google’s personal press materials suggests these additions will come to non-Pixel units too. Both manner, we reported the supply of a Utilities extension for Gemini to deal with varied system actions yesterday. Proof for the Spotify extension additionally emerged final week. 
• Improved picture descriptions in Lookout: Google’s Lookout app can challenge spoken descriptions of captured or uploaded photographs (dubbed Picture Q&A), and this performance is getting a serious improve. Extra particularly, Google says Picture Q&A now makes use of the extra superior Gemini 1.5 Professional AI mannequin for richer descriptions. This improved performance is accessible globally.
• Improved Fast Share: Google can be bettering the staple Fast Share function by letting you share content material by way of a QR code. Which means you don’t must tweak your sharing settings because the receiving celebration can merely scan your code. The corporate says this might be obtainable on the Pixel 6 line and newer, but it surely’s additionally included this function in a press launch associated to basic Android options. So it seems like that is coming to non-Pixel units too. Yow will discover extra data right here.
• Improved Emoji Kitchen: Google has additionally up to date the Emoji Kitchen in Gboard with new pizza-themed combos and improved navigation. These additions are coming to the Pixel 6 sequence and later, together with the Pixel Pill. Nonetheless, these additions have been additionally talked about in a press launch overlaying basic Android additions, so we anticipate them to land on all Android units.

The Pixel Watch 3 debuted numerous software program options earlier this 12 months. However the December 2024 Pixel Drop brings a few of these options to your older Pixel Watch.

• Stay digital camera views come to the Pixel Watch 2: The Pixel Watch 3 launched the flexibility to view a reside feed of your Nest Cam or Doorbell in your wrist. Fortunately, this functionality is now obtainable on the Pixel Watch 2. It’s also possible to speak with the individual seen at your door by way of your watch.
• Extra nations get Lack of Pulse function: The Pixel Watch 3 introduced the Lack of Pulse performance to a number of areas, however Google isn’t stopping right here. This function is now obtainable to Pixel Watch 3 customers in Germany and Portugal.
• Extra units get Cardio Load and Goal Load: Google’s Cardio Load and Goal Load options debuted on the Pixel Watch 3, and so they’re now increasing to a bunch of units. Anticipate finding these options on the Pixel Watch 1, Pixel Watch 2, Fitbit Sense 1 and a pair of, Fitbit Versa 2 to 4, Fitbit Cost 5 and 6, Fitbit Encourage 2 and three, and Fitbit Luxe. These options may be accessed by way of the Fitbit Right this moment app on Pixel Watches and by way of the Fitbit cell app for Fitbit units.