What’s new in your Google Pixel smartphone?

When you’re searching for a stellar digital camera telephone, you may’t go improper with a Google Pixel smartphone. However Pixels are way more than simply their digital camera. The software program of Pixel smartphones is what makes them distinctive, as these telephones are likely to get higher over time. Google does push the {hardware} to its restrict in all the appropriate methods, and the software program magic on Pixels, as skilled by means of Pixel Drops, is proof of it. However what are Google Pixel Drops, and what do they convey to the desk on your Google smartphone and different Pixel gadgets? We discover this on this article!

When individuals discuss with Android as a platform, they’re referring to the Android Open Supply Challenge (AOSP). AOSP is the barebones however open model of Android that Google develops. Anybody can take AOSP, make modifications on high of it, and launch this modified model of Android. That is what producers like Samsung and OnePlus do for their very own telephones by releasing closely modified Android skins.

Actually, Google additionally does the identical factor. It takes AOSP (the open platform that it develops) and makes modifications on high of it. These choose modifications are completely launched to Pixel smartphones within the type of Pixel UI.

Thus, a Pixel smartphone can get three varieties of updates:

• The primary is month-to-month safety patches, which repair essential safety points.
• The second is Android platform updates, which improve the bottom Android model on the gadget. These occur yearly for the main Android variations and periodically in between for minor releases.
• The third is Pixel Drops (beforehand known as Pixel Characteristic Drops earlier than August 2024), which add unique options to Google Pixel smartphones.

Google generally opens up some choose Pixel-exclusive options to the broader Android neighborhood, normally by means of Android Characteristic Drops. So, whereas Pixel Drops are Pixel-exclusive initially, they might not without end stay so.

On the alternative finish of the above assertion, some options from Pixel Drops additionally don’t make it to older Pixel smartphones. That is primarily as a result of these outdated smartphones both should not have the requisite {hardware} for a very good expertise or the telephones are now not supported.

Pixel Drops embody options for all gadgets within the Pixel ecosystem, together with the corporate’s foldables, the Pixel Pill, the Pixel Watch, and even the Pixel Buds.

Google has not dedicated to a particular launch schedule for Pixel Drops. As an alternative, the corporate says that Pixel Drops arrive “each few months.”

Primarily based on historic tendencies, Pixel Drops arrive as soon as each three months, however Google has deviated from its conventions typically. Google has rolled out 5 Pixel Drops in 2024: January 24, March 4, June 11, October 15, and December 5.

When you go by the three-month launch hole, we will count on the following Pixel Drop to land in March 2025. Nonetheless, following 2024’s template, the following drop may arrive as early as January. We don’t assume the latter is probably going, although, however don’t be shocked if Google sneaks in an early shock.

Pixel Drops maintain a whole lot of surprises for Pixel customers, however we’ve a number of leaks that make clear what may come sooner or later.

• The taskbar on tablets and foldables may get a search bar (h/t Mishaal Rahman).

We’ll replace the article after we hear about extra of those upcoming options.

Google Pixel Drop: December 2024

The December 2024 Pixel Drop was the fifth to reach in 2024. It included a number of modifications to Pixel Screenshots, numerous Pixel-exclusive apps, and extra.

Notably, some options rolled out on this Pixel Drop are additionally being made obtainable to Android gadgets at giant. We’ve detailed these in our bigger Android Characteristic Drop information.

• Launched on December 5, 2024.

• Gemini Mini options are restricted to the Pixel 9 collection, and Computerized Name Screening updates can be found on the Pixel 4 and newer.

Google will now make use of Gemini Mini to generate improved replies when utilizing Name Display screen on the Pixel 9 collection. Computerized Name Screening can also be coming to Pixel 4 gadgets and newer within the US through a dialog view between the caller and AI.

Photograph enhancements for Instagram and Snapchat

• Instagram modifications can be found on Pixel 9 collection gadgets, and Snapchat modifications can be found on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer.

After older Pixel gadgets gained Extremely HDR photograph help on Instagram in March, it’s now the Pixel 9 collection’ flip. Snapchat now additionally helps Android’s Photograph Picker after safety modifications hinted at by Google are actually coming into impact.

Pixel Screenshots enhancements

• Obtainable on the Pixel 9 collection (restricted to English).

Pixel Screenshots is getting a host of recent options. It may well now mechanically categorize your photographs, enabling improved discovery. It’s also possible to make use of Circle to Search to avoid wasting screenshots to your library, which makes each options infinitely higher.

For many who use Google Pockets, Pixel Screenshots can even allow you to embody screenshots of bank cards, tickets, and different plastic in your library.

Lastly, Gboard is now totally built-in into your Screenshots library. When utilizing supported apps, it recommends picture and textual content strategies out of your library. This characteristic may be toggled on and off.

• Obtainable on the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Utilizing Portrait Mode to snap human topics, now you can benefit from the fruits of Twin Display screen previews. Your viewfinder will seem on each the foldable and canopy screens, permitting you and your topic to spy on the outcomes.

Recorder updates

• Obtainable on the Pixel 9 collection.

Google Recorder has gained a Clear Voice characteristic, which reduces background noise and enhances speech constancy. This characteristic is out there on the Google Pixel 9 collection, together with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

• Made You Look is now obtainable on the Pixel Fold. Pleasure animation is out there on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

Google is rolling out Made You Look to the unique Pixel Fold. The characteristic shows an animation on the quilt display to attract your baby’s focus when snapping a portrait. A brand new animation of Inside Out character Pleasure can also be rolling out to the newer foldable (though this explicit animation will solely be obtainable till December 3, 2025).

Gboard updates

• Obtainable on the Pixel 9 collection.

Google is rolling out Pixel Studio sticker help to Gboard. When you’re working one of many firm’s 2024 smartphones, now you can simply entry your created stickers in different apps.

• Obtainable on the Pixel 6 collection and newer.

Google’s new Easy View toggle bolsters consumer accessibility by tweaking numerous settings. When triggered, the characteristic will increase the gadget’s font measurement, ups the display DPI, modifications the system navigation to the three-button type, and will increase long-press timeout. The characteristic is out there on Pixel 6 collection gadgets and newer, however we hope it sees a broader rollout sooner or later.

Album artwork for Now Enjoying

• Obtainable on the Pixel 6 collection and newer.

Google is formally rolling out album artwork help for its Now Enjoying characteristic, which mechanically identifies music taking part in within the background. We noticed this characteristic in early November, and customers can now browse a historical past of tracks (with artwork now included) the characteristic has recognized.

Identification Verify

• Obtainable on all Tensor-powered Pixels.

Identification Verify dovetails properly with Google’s more moderen safety enhancements for Pixels. With Identification Verify, customers should verify delicate settings modifications in untrusted areas with biometrics earlier than they are often made. This characteristic provides one other layer of safety if somebody who steals your gadget additionally is aware of your PIN.

The Pixel Pill now has entry to Google’s VPN service and lock display widgets, the latter of which was rolled out to secure builds of Android with the December Pixel Drop. Customers can entry these by swiping proper on the Pixel Pill’s lock display.

New Pixel Watch updates

The Pixel Watch line additionally good points a number of options with the December 2024 Pixel Drop.

• Dwell digital camera views: Customers can now entry stay digital camera views from Nest merchandise and even speak to individuals at their door with the Pixel Watch 2 and Nest Doorbell. These options have been beforehand solely obtainable on the Pixel Watch 3.
• Lack of Pulse growth: Customers in Germany and Portugal can now use the Pixel Watch 3’s Lack of Pulse detection characteristic.
• Cardio and Goal Load growth: Cardio Load and Goal Load — two nice coaching options — are coming to extra Google wearables. Extra particularly, they’re rolling out to the unique Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, Fitbit Sense collection, Versa 2 and newer, Cost 5 and newer, Encourage 2 and newer, and the Luxe.

Google Pixel Drop: October 2024

• Launch on October 15, 2024.

The October 2024 Pixel Drop rolled out alongside the official launch of Android 15. Right here’s every little thing that arrived on Pixel gadgets within the month.

• Obtainable globally on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer, however excludes Pixel A-series fashions.

Loads of pictures options landed on Pixel gadgets in October 2024, and the primary is for Instagram. Google is rolling out Night time Sight help for Instagram, which can be utilized instantly from the app’s digital camera viewfinder. This could yield huge picture high quality enhancements for Instagram customers.

• Obtainable on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, and Pixel 9 Professional XL.

When you’re utilizing a Pixel 9 gadget underwater, now you can seize below-surf scenes utilizing any waterproof case. The Pixel gadget will detect underwater scenes and set off the associated mode.

Astrophotography slider

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer.

Customers can now entry the Astrophotography mode by means of Night time Sight. Customers can slide to the Astro choice inside Night time Sight mode on supported gadgets to seize celestial our bodies.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer.

First introduced at I/O earlier this 12 months, Google’s vast suite of theft mitigation instruments is now rolling out globally throughout Pixel 6 gadgets and newer. This umbrella has a number of spokes.

The primary is Theft Detection Lock, which employs AI to detect if a tool is stolen out of your hand and locks it earlier than the assailant can get away. The second is Distant Lock, which permits customers to lock their gadgets extra simply utilizing a safety problem and their telephone quantity.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer.

One other characteristic we’ve examined earlier than, dubbed Personal Area, is now rolling out extra broadly with Android 15. The characteristic permits customers to create a second digital account area inside their present gadget to retailer photographs, run apps, and extra. This siloed content material is barely accessible by means of a PIN.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional, and Pixel 8a globally. Obtainable on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL, and Pixel 9 Professional Fold in restricted markets.

Customers now have extra management over particular sounds in Audio Magic Eraser. You may flip sure sounds up or down or separate and management particular person audio system’ voices independently. This must be massively helpful for conferences in chaotic environments.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional, and Pixel 9 Professional XL

The temperature sensors in the back of the more moderen Professional Pixel telephones is probably not tremendous helpful, however they’re getting some much-needed TLC. Customers can now seize and log temperature readings of objects to discuss with later. Extra importantly, the characteristic can now be used along side the digital camera viewfinder, which affords a stay studying of the object-in-frame’s temperature.

• The app is now obtainable globally on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer, together with the Pixel Pill. Pollen Knowledge Block is out there on the identical gadgets throughout France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.

The Google Pixel Climate app is rolling out extra broadly to older Pixel fashions. Now you can seize it in the event you personal a Pixel 6 gadget or newer or a Pixel Pill. The app is especially good on bigger shows, so this can be a welcome transfer. The app additionally good points a pollen knowledge block, which signifies the pollen stage within the air, pollen sorts, and pollen forecasts.

Wider rollout of nex-gen Name Display screen

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer.

The up to date model of Name Display screen is now rolling out to 2 new areas: Japan and the UK. The characteristic alerts customers of the caller, doubtlessly mitigating spam calls.

• Gemini Dwell is out there on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer. Pixel Screenshots extensions can be found on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, Pixel 9 Professional XL, and Pixel 9 Professional Fold (in Australia, Canada, India, Eire, Malaysia, Singapore, and the US).

Two important Gemini-related options will land on Pixel gadgets this October. First, Gemini Dwell is rolling out in 5 new markets, together with Brazil, Denmark, India, Japan, and Korea.

Secondly, Pixel Screenshots is gaining Gemini performance through an extension. Customers in choose markets can request data saved inside Screenshots by prompting the voice assistant.

Widget Discovery

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 gadgets and newer.

Google is exhibiting widgets some much-needed love with Widget Discovery. The characteristic feeds customers widget suggestions and affords previews of these widgets on Pixel gadgets.

Adaptive Vibration

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 gadgets and newer.

Lastly, a nifty new characteristic that impacts Pixel 7 gadgets and newer is Adaptive Vibration. This characteristic makes use of the telephone’s microphone to learn the bottom noise ranges of an setting. It then adjusts the vibration power in type. Google explains that this characteristic ought to bolster the effectiveness of vibration notifications in louder settings whereas maintaining noise to a minimal in quieter environment.

• Contacts App updates: All Pixel Watch fashions achieve entry to a brand new particular person contacts tile that enables fast entry to your frequent contacts.
• Emoji e-mail reactions: Now you can reply to emails through Gmail with an emoji response. That is obtainable on all Pixel Watch fashions.
• Lack of Pulse Detection: Introduced earlier this 12 months, this important well being and security characteristic is getting a broader rollout in Belgium, Italy, and Spain. It’s solely obtainable on the Pixel Watch 3.

• Cellphone-free Gemini rollout: The Pixel Buds Professional 2, Pixel Buds Professional, Pixel Buds A, and the unique Pixel Buds allows you to chat to Gemini and Gemini Dwell with out prompting the characteristic out of your smartphone.

• New screensavers: As we demonstrated in an unique first look, the Pixel Pill is gaining a brand new Panel Screensaver that permits you to entry stay feeds of your good dwelling cameras and a number of other associated dwelling controls when your gadget is idle. New Clock screensaver kinds additionally make their debut.
• Photograph Body Actions: One other screensaver is getting some new performance. Customers can share, favourite, or archive photographs of their Google Pictures library from the gadget’s Photograph Body screensaver.
• Notification dismissal enhancements: When you’ve got a Pixel Pill and a Pixel 6 telephone or newer, you may dismiss notifications on both gadget.
• Solid to close by gadgets: We first noticed this characteristic in an APK teardown. Now, customers can forged media from the Pixel Pill to their Pixel 6 Professional, Pixel 7 Professional, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 Professional, and Pixel 9 Professional fashions by merely bringing the 2 gadgets nearer collectively.

Google Pixel Drop: June 2024

• Launched on June 11, 2024.

Right here’s every little thing Google rolled out within the June 2024 Pixel Drop, together with a number of new options for the Pixel 8 collection.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Professional.

Initially restricted to the Pixel 8 Professional, Gemini Nano is now obtainable on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a. Gemini Nano is the corporate’s language mannequin designed to run completely on smartphones. It powers loads of onboard processing smarts, together with Gboard Sensible Reply, Recorder summaries, and Magic Compose.

When you’re utilizing a Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, you’ll have to manually allow Gemini Nano by activating and enabling developer choices and all AICore options therein.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Professional.

Google is rolling out DisplayPort help to the most recent Pixels, permitting customers to develop or duplicate their telephone’s display to a bigger show through a cable. Notably, this can be a software program activation, because the Pixel 8 fashions have the {hardware} essential to help the protocol. Nonetheless, this does imply that older Pixels received’t achieve this performance.

• Obtainable on the Pixel 6 and newer telephones, together with the Pixel Fold.

Reverse Cellphone Quantity Lookup is a brand new characteristic within the Cellphone app that enables customers to simply reverse search a quantity out of your name log. When you stumble throughout a quantity you’re unsure about, faucet the Lookup icon to provoke a search. This addition ought to simplify the method of discovering unknown callers.

Fortunately, the characteristic isn’t restricted by any {hardware} or AI help, so the Pixel 6 and newer gadgets will achieve help.

• Gemini Nano options are restricted to the Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Professional. Different options obtainable on Pixels that help the Recorder app.

There are two huge updates coming to Recorder. The primary depends on Gemini Nano, and means it’ll solely be obtainable on the Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Professional. It may well mechanically determine audio system in an audio transcription recording and attribute a reputation to every.

The second characteristic permits customers to immediately export transcripts and summaries to Google Docs. This good high quality of life enchancment is coming to all Pixels with Recorder help.

• Obtainable on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

Google is lastly rolling out offline Discover My Machine help for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. This characteristic will be sure that gadgets can nonetheless be situated on the Discover My Machine Community, even when they’re switched off. This explicit Discover My Machine characteristic requires particular {hardware} to operate, so whereas it’d roll out extra broadly throughout the Android ecosystem at a later date, we count on its availability to be restricted.

• Obtainable on the Pixel 6 and newer telephones, together with the Pixel Fold.

Supported Pixel telephones can now choose the most effective body when utilizing HDR+ capturing modes, which ought to save loads of time when glossing by means of a slew of very related pictures in a roll.

Google’s Pixel Pill is gaining a notable characteristic that may make it extra helpful in a wise dwelling setting.

• Sensible doorbell help: The Google Pixel Pill will now present a stay feed preview of a wise doorbell’s digital camera when docked in Hub Mode. The characteristic is triggered when a customer rings the bell, and helps first and second era wired Nest Doorbell fashions and the battery-powered Nest Doorbell.
• HDR+ updates: The Pixel Pill additionally good points help for the brand new HDR+ body choice characteristic talked about above.

The Pixel Watch collection is gaining loads of performance with the June 2024 Pixel Drop.

• Automobile Crash Detection: Unique to the Pixel Watch 2, Automobile Crash Detection will use the watch’s sensors to detect if a wearer is concerned in a highway accident. It’ll then provoke a wellness test and call emergency providers and trusted contacts in the event you can’t reply. This characteristic initially debuted on Pixel smartphones, however it’s nice to lastly have it on a wearable.
• Bicycle Fall Detection: Much like Automobile Crash Detection, this characteristic is particularly crafted for bicycle customers. It’s obtainable throughout the unique Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2.
• Google Pockets updates: Faucet funds through PayPal is now supported in Google Pockets. Notably, this characteristic was introduced in Google’s Android Characteristic Drop in Might 2024 and will probably be obtainable on all Put on OS 4 watches.
• Google Dwelling updates: One other characteristic introduced in Might’s Android Characteristic Drop, Pixel Watches achieve new Google Dwelling issues, extra good dwelling controls, and an up to date Google Dwelling tile. This characteristic will probably be obtainable on all Put on OS 4 gadgets.

Google Pixel Drop: March 2024

• Launched on March 4, 2024.

Listed below are the options introduced by Google as a part of the March 2024 Pixel Drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, along with Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

With this Pixel Drop, Circle to Search is increasing to Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional. This makes it simpler to seek for something that’s showing in your telephone’s display.

10-bit HDR video and Extremely HDR photographs on Instagram

• Obtainable on Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional, Pixel Fold

Instagram is increasing help for 10-bit HDR movies and Extremely HDR photographs to the Pixel lineup for gadgets newer than the Pixel 7. Pixel telephones can now additionally seize and share 10-bit HDR reels on the platform.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional, Pixel 7 collection, Pixel 8 collection, Pixel Fold

Name Display screen lets Pixel customers in supported areas use Google Assistant to vet callers and determine if the incoming name is value their time. With this characteristic drop, Name Display screen is getting a brand new “good day” chip that you should utilize when a caller is unresponsive. Clicking on it’ll make Google Assistant immediate the caller to talk, so you may perceive why they have been attempting to succeed in you.

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a 5G and newer telephones, Pixel Pill

App display sharing, also referred to as partial display recording, permits you to display file or display share a particular app as an alternative of your complete seen display. By this, you received’t be recording or sharing any stray content material, reminiscent of delicate notifications or different apps.

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a 5G and newer telephones, Pixel Pill

Quick Pair makes it simple to connect with supported Bluetooth equipment. With this characteristic drop, Quick Pair equipment that you’ve beforehand related to on previous gadgets by means of the identical Google account will now seem in your new Pixel. You may see the brand new “Beforehand used with account” choice on the Related Units web page.

New Pixel Watch options

With this characteristic drop, Google is increasing new options noticed on the Pixel Watch 2 to the Pixel Watch:

• Auto exercise mode: Along with auto-pause, the first-generation Pixel Watch can now auto-start and auto-stop exercises. This works for working, strolling, elliptical, spinning, out of doors bike, treadmill, and rowing.
• Tempo Coaching: You should utilize your gadget to set a aim tempo throughout an train to know when you’re inside your goal.
• Coronary heart Zone Coaching: You may observe the time spent at sure coronary heart fee zones to assist optimize your exercise. You’ll additionally get notifications when your coronary heart fee strikes from one zone to a different.
• Redesigned exercises interface: The interface now has bigger textual content and brighter colours, making it simpler to see exercise stats at a look.
• Fitbit Chill out app: Now you can use the app to information your self by means of respiration workout routines and moments of mindfulness.

Google Pixel Drop: January 2024

• Launched on January 24, 2024.

Listed below are the options introduced by Google as a part of the January 2024 Pixel Drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional.

The Pixel 8 Professional has a temperature sensor, and Google upgraded its capabilities with this characteristic drop. After lastly securing FDA approval, the Pixel 8 Professional’s temperature sensor can be utilized for medical-grade physique temperature measurements. It’s also possible to save your readings to your Fitbit profile.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

Circle to Search launched on the Galaxy S24 collection, however Google is bringing the characteristic to the Pixel 8 collection, too. You may long-press the house button or on the navigation bar after which circle, spotlight, faucet, or scribble over the content material current in your display. This can go on the chosen context to Google Search, and you may get extra data proper on that display itself.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

Magic Compose is a characteristic throughout the Google Messages app that makes use of generative AI to rewrite drafted messages in several kinds. The characteristic works on-device on the Pixel 8 Professional and thru the cloud on the Pixel 8.

Photomoji

• Obtainable on Pixel 3a and newer telephones.

The Photomoji characteristic inside Google Messages allows you to rework a photograph right into a response.

Audio Swap

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a and newer telephones, Pixel Pill, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Watch 2, when used with Pixel Buds Professional.

The Pixel Buds Professional may mechanically change between paired gadgets relying on the place audio is taking part in. This characteristic is increasing to permit switching between the Pixel Watches and Pixel Pill. Customers will now additionally get notifications about the place their audio is switching to.

Google Pixel Drop: December 2023

• Launched on December 6, 2023.

Listed below are the options introduced by Google as a part of the December 2023 Pixel Drop.

Video Enhance with Night time Sight

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional.

Video Enhance is the spotlight characteristic of the December 2023 Pixel Characteristic Drop and in addition one of many main Pixel 8 Professional digital camera options. Video Enhance extends the ability of computational pictures to videography, however it must depend on Google’s cloud infrastructure for processing assist.

On the Pixel 8 Professional, you may shoot a video and add it or again it as much as Google Pictures. Google will then course of the video on-line to enhance the colour, lighting, stabilization, and graininess of the video. For low-light and night time movies, it’ll additionally carry over Night time Sight Video, which can use AI to use noise discount for richer particulars and colour. As soon as the processing is full, you may view and obtain the boosted video.

Gemini Nano-powered Sensible Reply in Gboard and Summarize in Recorder

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional.

Alongside the Pixel Characteristic Drop, Google additionally launched Gemini, its newest giant language mannequin. Gemini is available in three completely different sizes: Nano, Professional, and Extremely. Gemini Nano arrives on the Pixel 8 Professional with this characteristic drop as a part of the Android AICore app, opening up new AI-powered enhancements like Sensible Reply in Gboard and Summarize in Recorder. The AI mannequin is working on-device, so that you don’t have to add something and even want an web connection for the AI bits to work.

Sensible Reply in Gboard is a Gemini Nano-powered characteristic that’s obtainable as a developer preview. The on-device AI mannequin can now recommend high-quality predictive responses with conversational consciousness. Since it’s a restricted launch, you may at the moment solely use it with Gboard, utilizing america English keyboard language, for responses throughout the WhatsApp app. Google has promised to develop the characteristic to extra apps in 2024.

The Recorder app on the Pixel 8 Professional can now generate a brief abstract of your recorded conversations. Since that is powered by Gemini Nano on-device, you may generate summaries even offline.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

On the brand new Pixel 8 collection, now you can file longer timelapse movies in low mild. You will have to set your telephone regular, ideally on a tripod, and set the Night time Sight setting beneath the Timelapse mode to Auto. You’ll then be capable to shoot an extended timelapse video that may have the bonus processing of Night time Sight, providing you with way more high quality than you’d have in any other case obtained with simply the common Timelapse mode.

Portrait Gentle

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

Portrait Gentle characteristic in Google Pictures is seeing an enchancment, with a brand new AI mannequin that allows Stability mild that removes harsh shadows. Since this can be a Google Pictures characteristic, you should utilize it throughout all new and outdated portrait photographs.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

Photograph Unblur continues to stay obtainable for all Pixels, whereas Pixel 6 and newer and the Pixel Pill can now additionally unblur photographs of canines and cats.

Because the identify suggests, Twin Display screen Preview makes use of the Pixel Fold’s outer show to indicate a preview of the digital camera viewfinder whilst you click on a photograph utilizing the controls and viewfinder on the internal show. This can make it simple for individuals to regulate their poses to get the right shot.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

Now you can use your latest Pixel gadget as a webcam on your PC. You will have to attach your telephone to your laptop computer or desktop through a USB Cable and select the webcam choice in your telephone. Begin a video name, and your Pixel gadget offers you an choice to select from the varied cameras current in your gadget.

As a word, after I tried the characteristic, the Pixel solely handed on the video feed and no audio from the microphone, so that you’d nonetheless want to rearrange for an audio enter.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer telephones.

Google Assistant’s Name Display screen characteristic is getting contextual replies, letting you correctly reply to conversations with ease.

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a (5G) and newer telephones.

Restore Mode is a brand new characteristic that permits you to ship your gadget for a restore without having to wipe the info on it, simply to maintain the info secure from a snooping restore technician. Restore Mode saves your consumer knowledge and simulates a recent occasion of the OS, permitting the restore technician to evaluate your telephone’s {hardware} in the course of the restore course of whereas nonetheless maintaining your knowledge away from them. As soon as the restore is full, you may exit Restore Mode to get again your knowledge.

Higher Passkey help in Google Password Supervisor

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a (5G) and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

The Google Password Supervisor can now determine which of your accounts help Passkey. You may then add Passkeys to them simply.

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a (5G) and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

The Clock app can now present a short abstract of the stay climate for the completely different world clocks that you’ve added. This climate abstract can even seem in widgets. So now you may get extra data from only a look.

• Obtainable on Pixel 5a (5G) and newer telephones and Pixel Pill.

Now you can set completely different stay wallpapers on the lockscreen and homescreen of your Pixel gadget.

Increasing present options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to develop some present options to new areas:

• The Recorder app can now transcribe in 28 new languages.
• Pixel’s Direct My Name and Maintain for Me are increasing to enterprise numbers within the US that function with out a toll-free prefix. That is obtainable solely on the Pixel 8 collection in English.
• Pixel’s Direct My Name and Maintain for Me can also be now obtainable within the UK.

New Pixel Pill options

The Pixel Pill will get two new options with this replace: Clear Calling and spatial audio.

• Clear Calling: With the assistance of AI, the Pixel Pill can now scale back background noise and improve pace sounds to provide the absolute best name high quality.
• Spatial audio: This replace opens up spatial audio help on the Pixel Pill throughout its audio system and suitable headsets. Additionally, you will want a suitable app and supported content material.

New Pixel Watch options

This replace included a number of new options for the Pixel Watch:

• Name Display screen is now additionally obtainable on the Pixel Watch, so you may get an concept of what the caller needs beforehand.
• Pixel Watch can now unlock your telephone when it’s close by, letting you skip your telephone’s password, fingerprint, or face unlock necessities so long as you might be sporting the Pixel Watch and additionally it is unlocked.
• The primary-gen Pixel Watch can now sync your Pixel telephone’s Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes.
• The primary-gen Pixel Watch can also be getting the watch faces and issues that have been launched with the Pixel Watch 2.

Google Pixel Drop: October 2023

• Launched on October 4, 2023.

Listed below are the options introduced by Google as a part of the Fall 2023 Pixel Drop and the Android 14 launch.

A refreshed digital camera app now contains two main buttons that toggle between digital camera and video seize sections, which is way simpler to make use of in our expertise. You’ll additionally discover quick access to modes inside every part, together with Night time Sight, Portrait, and Sluggish Movement.

Customized clock and wallpaper collections

• Obtainable on Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, and newer telephones.

Android 14 lands with new customized clock and wallpaper collections. Customers can now tweak fast actions on the lock display, notifications, and Smartspace data.

• Obtainable on Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, newer telephones, and Pixel Pill.

Don’t like Google’s latest development in direction of colour? You may allow a monochromatic theme that’ll carry grey tones to your gadget’s widgets, apps, and menu gadgets.

• Obtainable on the Pixel Fold.

Twin Display screen interpreter mode totally makes use of the Pixel Fold’s two screens. Customers can have a full-blown dialog with one other consumer by displaying their most well-liked language on the outer display and your most well-liked language on the internal display. This allows you to have extra pure conversations with others.

RAW picture enhancements

• Obtainable on Pixel 6, newer telephones, and Pixel Pill.

RAW photographs now open mechanically in a consumer’s most well-liked RAW editor.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6, newer telephones, and Pixel Pill.

If there’s a problem along with your charging accent, cable, or wall adaptor, Pixel telephones will notify you of a problem.

Battery Saver enhancements

Battery Saver and Excessive Battery Saver now show what’s being restricted on gadgets, permitting customers to exempt apps from restrictions. There’s additionally an choice to set off Battery Saver and Excessive Battery Saver at 10% and 20% battery life.

App streaming

• Obtainable on Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, and newer telephones. Restricted area availability.

When you personal a Chromebook, you can begin working an app in your Pixel and seamlessly change it to your laptop computer later.

New Pixel Pill options

• Google Youngsters Area good points a streamlined navigation bar, making it simpler for youthful customers to command the pill.
• The “Hey Google” sizzling phrase now helps information and podcasts.

Google Pixel Drop: June 2023

• Launched on June 13, 2023.

Listed below are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the June 2023 Pixel Drop.

Macro Focus Video

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 Professional.

The large spotlight of this characteristic drop was the rollout of macro focus to video mode. This characteristic makes use of the Pixel 7 Professional’s new ultrawide lens to get shut in on topics. Beforehand, this characteristic was used just for nonetheless pictures. However with this replace, Pixel 7 Professional customers may file macro mode movies.

• Obtainable for Pixel 6 and newer telephones.

You may take a hands-free selfie on newer Pixel smartphones by elevating your palm. This can set off a timer, which may be both three or 10 seconds.

• Obtainable for Pixel 6 and newer telephones.

On newer Pixel smartphones, you should utilize AI to remodel your 2D wallpaper right into a dynamic 3D wallpaper. The telephone mechanically identifies the topic within the foreground and the background and separates the 2 with movement animation for a cinematic look.

If that’s not to your style, you may as well create emoji stay wallpapers by mixing and matching over 4,000 emoji with completely different patterns and colours.

Customers can ask Google Assistant to schedule a security test on their Pixel telephone. When you don’t reply to your security test that’s triggered after the set length, your emergency contacts will probably be notified, and your real-time location will probably be shared.

Pixel telephones even have had automobile crash detection for a number of years. Now, along with contacting emergency providers, the characteristic may share your real-time location and name standing along with your emergency contacts.

• Obtainable for Pixel 6 and newer telephones.

The Recorder app on Pixels is superb for recording sound and audio conversations. With this replace, the Recorder app can generate speaker-labeled video clips, seek for audio system inside recordings, and export transcripts into Google Docs.

When you use the Google Dwelling app to manage your good dwelling gadgets, now you can entry the newly redesigned dwelling panel of the Dwelling app from the left of your lockscreen. This makes it simple to entry your favourite good dwelling gadgets, flip off lights, see your cameras, and way more.

Smarter haptics

• Obtainable for Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a.

Pixel’s adaptive haptics on the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a can now decrease its depth when it detects that it’s on a tough, flat floor like a desk or desk.

Adaptive Charging now makes use of Google AI

The Adaptive Charging characteristic on the Pixel now makes use of Google AI to assist prolong the lifespan of your Pixel battery. Your telephone can now predict an extended charging session primarily based in your earlier charging habits. Then, it could possibly modify the charging fee to slowly attain 100% one hour earlier than it’s anticipated to be unplugged.

Two new Google Assistant voices

Google Assistant now has two extra voice choices, totaling 12 voices for US English.

New Pixel Watch options

This replace included a whole lot of new options for the Pixel Watch:

• Added blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring.
• Added excessive and low coronary heart fee alerts.
• Google Assistant on Put on OS is now obtainable in Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Polish, and Spanish.
• Added three new Spotify tiles.
• Added means to mechanically pause and resume run, stroll, or bike train.

Google Pixel Drop: March 2023

• Launched on March 13, 2023.

Listed below are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the March 2023 Pixel Drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional.

When Google launched the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Professional, it included a brand new quicker Night time Sight characteristic that used new algorithms to take quicker low-light photographs. With this characteristic drop, the characteristic has additionally been prolonged to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional.

• Obtainable on all Pixel telephones by means of the Google Pictures app.

Magic Eraser permits you to take away objects out of your photographs simply, and it’s surprisingly good. The characteristic remained a Pixel 6 collection and Pixel 7 collection unique for some time.

With this characteristic drop, Google prolonged the characteristic to all previous Pixel telephones. Non-Pixel customers can entry this characteristic by means of a paid Google One subscription.

• Obtainable on Pixel 4a and newer telephones within the US.

With the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional, Google launched an improved model of the Direct My Name characteristic. This improved model lists out menu choices for choose toll-free numbers within the US earlier than they’re even spoken. This makes it as simple to navigate these calls as it’s to navigate a visual menu in your telephone.

With the March 2023 characteristic drop, the characteristic has been prolonged to the Pixel 4a and its newer siblings.

The Well being Join app was introduced at Google I/O 2022. It’s a service that syncs knowledge throughout a number of completely different well being and health apps and provides you a central set of controls for managing this knowledge. With this characteristic drop, Google is integrating Well being Join into Pixel UI, so that you don’t have to obtain a further app to start utilizing it.

If you’d like this characteristic in your different smartphones, Google has deliberate to combine Well being Join into the Settings app on Android 14.

With this replace, you may see timers that you’ve set in your good speaker in your Google Pixel smartphone. The At a Look widget will present the countdown in your telephone. Additionally, you will obtain a push notification when the timer goes off, letting you disable or prolong it.

Increasing present options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to develop some present options to new areas:

• Quick Pair was expanded to Chromebooks to allow them to mechanically pair with Pixel Buds and different Quick Pair-enabled Bluetooth headphones.
• New emoji combos are actually obtainable on Emoji Kitchen through Gboard.
• Maintain for Me expands to Japan (along with the US, Australia, and Canada).
• Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional now help two eSIMs in Twin SIM Twin Standby mode.
• UWB digital automobile key rolled out within the weeks after this announcement.

New Pixel Watch options

This replace included a whole lot of few notable options for the Pixel Watch:

• Fall detection is now obtainable on the Pixel Watch, letting you connect with emergency providers if the watch detects you’ve taken a tough fall.
• Whereas in a roundabout way included on this replace, the announcement submit additionally mentions the brand new sound and show settings obtainable by means of the Put on OS 3 replace that was slated to reach on the Pixel Watch quickly. This could permit the Pixel Watch to:
  • Use mono-audio to restrict disorientation brought on by split-audio.
  • Use new colour correction and greyscale modes.

Google Pixel Drop: December 2022

• Launched on December 5, 2022.

Listed below are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the December 2022 Pixel Drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.

The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional now embody VPN by Google One totally free in a number of international locations. VPN, quick for Digital Personal Community, provides a layer of safety to your web browsing. So, if it is advisable to entry necessary data like your checking account from public Wi-Fi in an airport, you may have some peace of thoughts. Your web exercise will probably be shielded from eavesdropping hackers and community operators, whereas your IP deal with will probably be masked from websites and apps that you just go to.

VPN by Google One is normally included as a part of the Premium 2TB plan of Google One. Now, Pixel 7 and seven Professional customers can avail of the identical with out subscribing to Google One.

This characteristic drop now consolidates safety and privateness settings, danger ranges, and different security-related data in a single place. Consequently, reviewing all of this data is now simpler. New motion automobiles additionally notify of any safety dangers and their treatments.

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.

The Clear calling characteristic makes use of machine studying and AI to scale back the background noise from the opposite get together and improve the caller’s voice. So, even when your caller is in a loud place, you may nonetheless hear them clearly.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer.

If you file and transcribe an English dialog by means of the Pixel’s Recorder app, the app will now determine and label every speaker and even insert line breaks when the speaker modifications. This characteristic makes use of machine studying to course of speaker labeling stay and on-device. As soon as the recording is full, you may re-label the audio system with their names. Thus, with this, you may simply file an interview, assembly, lecture, or dialog with every individual labeled individually.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional.

Google launched cough and snore detection with the Pixel 7 collection, and this characteristic drop brings the options to the earlier flagships. It’s essential arrange Bedtime mode in Clock and Digital Wellbeing settings after which use the Pixel that will help you perceive what impacts your sleep.

This characteristic drop contains three new Curated Tradition wallpapers to have a good time the Worldwide Day of Folks with Disabilities. It additionally contains the brand new Dwell Bloom wallpaper assortment that shifts and sways photographs when your Pixel homescreen strikes round.

Spatial Audio

• Obtainable on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Professional, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional.

Spatial Audio help was introduced for the abovementioned gadgets. You would wish a Pixel Buds Professional alongside a suitable app and content material. You may even use it with wired headphones.

Increasing present options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to develop some present Pixel options to new areas:

• Now you can share your digital automobile key with iPhones and gadgets with Android 12 and above.
• Gboard’s Grammar Verify is now obtainable in French, along with English and Spanish.
• Dwell Translate can now translate despatched and obtained texts in your messaging apps in 5 extra languages: Arabic, Persian, Swedish, Vietnamese, and Danish.
• Pixel 4a and newer Pixels now get entry to the extra highly effective Search.
• Pixel 4a and newer Pixels now get entry to Voice Message Transcription in Messages.

New Pixel Watch options

This replace included a whole lot of few notable options for the Pixel Watch:

• Sleep Profile: Google expanded a Fitbit Premium characteristic to the Pixel Watch. With Sleep Profile, the Pixel Watch considers ten points of sleep, together with length, bedtime consistency, and disruption, to provide you insights into your sleep habits. It’s essential put on your Pixel Look ahead to at the very least 14 nights each month, and outcomes will probably be obtainable on the primary day of the next month.
• Pixel Watch will get a brand new Dawn/Sundown tile from the Climate app.
• The Contacts app now allows you to pin 5 contacts for simpler entry.