What’s new on your Google Pixel smartphone?

When you’re in search of a stellar digicam telephone, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with a Google Pixel smartphone. However Pixels are way more than simply their digicam. The software program of Pixel smartphones is what makes them distinctive, as these telephones are inclined to get higher over time. Google does push the {hardware} to its restrict in all the best methods, and the software program magic on Pixels, as skilled via Pixel Function Drops, is proof of it. However what are Pixel Function Drops, and what do they create to the desk in your Google smartphone and different Pixel gadgets? We discover this on this article!

What’s a Pixel Function Drop?

When individuals consult with Android as a platform, they’re referring to the Android Open Supply Mission (AOSP). AOSP is the barebones however open model of Android that Google develops. Anybody can take AOSP, make modifications on prime 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 prime of it. These choose modifications are solely launched to Pixel smartphones within the type of Pixel UI.

Thus, a Pixel smartphone can get three sorts of updates. The primary is month-to-month safety patches, which repair important safety points. The second is Android platform updates, which upgrades the bottom Android model on the machine. These occur yearly for the foremost Android variations and periodically in between for minor releases. The third is Pixel Function Drops, which provides unique options to Google Pixel smartphones.

Google generally opens up some choose Pixel-exclusive options to the broader Android neighborhood. So, whereas Pixel Function Drops are Pixel-exclusive initially, they might not perpetually stay so.

On the other finish of the above assertion, some options from Pixel Function Drops additionally don’t make it to older Pixel smartphones. That is primarily as a result of these previous smartphones both do not need the requisite {hardware} for a superb expertise or the telephones are not supported.

Pixel Function Drops embody options for all gadgets within the Pixel ecosystem, together with the Pixel Fold foldable, the Pixel Pill, the Pixel Watch, and even the Pixel Buds.

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

Based mostly on historic tendencies, Pixel Function Drops arrive as soon as in three months, however Google has deviated from its conventions usually. One function drop was launched on December 6, 2023, however Google additionally launched a shock function drop on January 24, 2024. The following one may arrive virtually any time sooner or later. But when we’re allowed to guess, we count on the following Pixel Function Drop to be launched in April 2024.

Function Drops maintain numerous surprises for Pixel customers, however we now have just a few 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 Function Drop: January 2024

• Launched on January 24, 2024.

Listed here are the options introduced by Google as a part of the January 2024 function drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional.

The Pixel 8 Professional has a temperature sensor, and Google upgraded its capabilities with this function drop. After lastly securing FDA approval, the Pixel 8 Professional’s temperature sensor can be utilized for medical-grade physique temperature measurements. You can too 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 function to the Pixel 8 collection, too. You possibly can 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 will get extra info proper on that display itself.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

Magic Compose is a function inside the Google Messages app that makes use of generative AI to rewrite drafted messages in several types. The function 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 function inside Google Messages allows you to rework a photograph right into a response.

Audio Change

• 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 routinely change between paired gadgets relying on the place audio is enjoying. This function 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 Function Drop: December 2023

• Launched on December 6, 2023.

Listed here are the options introduced by Google as a part of the December 2023 function drop.

Video Increase with Night time Sight

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 Professional.

Video Increase is the spotlight function of the December 2023 Pixel Function Drop and in addition one of many main Pixel 8 Professional digicam options. Video Increase extends the ability of computational pictures to videography, but it surely must depend on Google’s cloud infrastructure for processing assist.

On the Pixel 8 Professional, you’ll be able to shoot a video and add it or again it as much as Google Photographs. 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’s going to additionally convey over Night time Sight Video, which is able to use AI to use noise discount for richer particulars and coloration. As soon as the processing is full, you’ll be able to 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 Function Drop, Google additionally launched Gemini, its newest giant language mannequin. Gemini is available in three totally different sizes: Nano, Professional, and Extremely. Gemini Nano arrives on the Pixel 8 Professional with this function 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 function that’s out there as a developer preview. The on-device AI mannequin can now counsel high-quality predictive responses with conversational consciousness. Since it’s a restricted launch, you’ll be able to presently solely use it with Gboard, utilizing america English keyboard language, for responses inside the WhatsApp app. Google has promised to broaden the function 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’ll be able to generate summaries even offline.

• Obtainable on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional.

On the brand new Pixel 8 collection, now you can document longer timelapse movies in low gentle. You will have to set your telephone regular, ideally on a tripod, and set the Night time Sight setting underneath the Timelapse mode to Auto. You’ll then have the ability to shoot a protracted timelapse video that can have the bonus processing of Night time Sight, providing you with way more high quality than you’d have in any other case acquired with simply the common Timelapse mode.

Portrait Mild

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

Portrait Mild function in Google Photographs is seeing an enchancment, with a brand new AI mannequin that permits Steadiness gentle that removes harsh shadows. Since this can be a Google Photographs function, you should use it throughout all new and previous portrait photographs.

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

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

Because the title suggests, Twin Display Preview makes use of the Pixel Fold’s outer show to point out a preview of the digicam viewfinder when 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 machine as a webcam in 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 machine gives you an choice to select from the assorted cameras current in your machine.

As a word, once I tried the function, 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 function 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 function that allows you to ship your machine for a restore while not 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} throughout the restore course of whereas nonetheless preserving your knowledge away from them. As soon as the restore is full, you’ll be able to exit Restore Mode to get again your knowledge.

Higher Passkey assist 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 assist Passkey. You possibly can 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 totally different world clocks that you’ve got added. This climate abstract will even seem in widgets. So now you will get extra info from only a look.

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

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

Increasing current options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to broaden some current 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 out there solely on the Pixel 8 collection in English.
• Pixel’s Direct My Name and Maintain for Me can also be now out there 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 velocity sounds to provide the absolute best name high quality.
• Spatial audio: This replace opens up spatial audio assist 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 just a few new options for the Pixel Watch:

• Name Display is now additionally out there on the Pixel Watch, so you will get an thought 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’re 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 Function Drop: October 2023

• Launched on October 4, 2023.

Listed here are the options introduced by Google as a part of the Fall 2023 function drop and the Android 14 launch.

A refreshed digicam app now contains two main buttons that toggle between digicam 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 pattern in the direction of coloration? You possibly can allow a monochromatic theme that’ll convey grey tones to your machine’s widgets, apps, and menu gadgets.

• Obtainable on the Pixel Fold.

Twin Display 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 photos now open routinely in a consumer’s most well-liked RAW editor.

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

If there’s a problem together 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 positive factors 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 Function Drop: June 2023

• Launched on June 13, 2023.

Listed here are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the June 2023 function drop.

Macro Focus Video

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 Professional.

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

• Obtainable for Pixel 6 and newer telephones.

You possibly can 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 use AI to rework your 2D wallpaper right into a dynamic 3D wallpaper. The telephone routinely 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 too can create emoji stay wallpapers by mixing and matching over 4,000 emoji with totally 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 period, your emergency contacts can be notified, and your real-time location can be shared.

Pixel telephones even have had automotive crash detection for just a few years. Now, along with contacting emergency companies, the function also can share your real-time location and name standing together 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 house gadgets, now you can entry the newly redesigned house panel of the Dwelling app from the left of your lockscreen. This makes it simple to entry your favourite good house 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 function on the Pixel now makes use of Google AI to assist lengthen the lifespan of your Pixel battery. Your telephone can now predict a protracted charging session primarily based in your earlier charging habits. Then, it could 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 numerous 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 out there in Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Polish, and Spanish.
• Added three new Spotify tiles.
• Added potential to routinely pause and resume run, stroll, or bike train.

Google Pixel Function Drop: March 2023

• Launched on March 13, 2023.

Listed here are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the March 2023 function 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 function that used new algorithms to take quicker low-light photographs. With this function drop, the function has additionally been prolonged to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional.

• Obtainable on all Pixel telephones via the Google Photographs app.

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

With this function drop, Google prolonged the function to all previous Pixel telephones. Non-Pixel customers can entry this function via 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 function. 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 function drop, the function 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 totally different well being and health apps and provides you a central set of controls for managing this knowledge. With this function drop, Google is integrating Well being Join into Pixel UI, so that you don’t have to obtain an extra app to start utilizing it.

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

With this replace, you’ll be able to see timers that you’ve got 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 lengthen it.

Increasing current options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to broaden some current options to new areas:

• Quick Pair was expanded to Chromebooks to allow them to routinely pair with Pixel Buds and different Quick Pair-enabled Bluetooth headphones.
• New emoji combos at the moment are out there 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 assist two eSIMs in Twin SIM Twin Standby mode.
• UWB digital automotive key rolled out within the weeks after this announcement.

New Pixel Watch options

This replace included numerous few notable options for the Pixel Watch:

• Fall detection is now out there on the Pixel Watch, letting you hook up with emergency companies if the watch detects you’ve taken a tough fall.
• Whereas indirectly included on this replace, the announcement publish additionally mentions the brand new sound and show settings out there via the Put on OS 3 replace that was slated to reach on the Pixel Watch quickly. This is able to enable the Pixel Watch to:
  • Use mono-audio to restrict disorientation attributable to split-audio.
  • Use new coloration correction and greyscale modes.

Google Pixel Function Drop: December 2022

• Launched on December 5, 2022.

Listed here are all the brand new options Google introduced as a part of the December 2022 function drop.

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.

The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional now embody VPN by Google One without spending a dime in a number of nations. VPN, quick for Digital Personal Community, provides a layer of safety to your web browsing. So, if you have to entry vital info like your checking account from public Wi-Fi in an airport, you’ll be able to have some peace of thoughts. Your web exercise can be shielded from eavesdropping hackers and community operators, whereas your IP handle can be masked from websites and apps that you simply go to.

VPN by Google One is often 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 function drop now consolidates safety and privateness settings, threat ranges, and different security-related info in a single place. Consequently, reviewing all of this info is now simpler. New motion automobiles additionally notify of any safety dangers and their cures.

• Obtainable on Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional.

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

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and newer.

While you document and transcribe an English dialog via the Pixel’s Recorder app, the app will now determine and label every speaker and even insert line breaks when the speaker modifications. This function makes use of machine studying to course of speaker labeling stay and on-device. As soon as the recording is full, you’ll be able to re-label the audio system with their names. Thus, with this, you’ll be able to simply document an interview, assembly, lecture, or dialog with every particular person labeled individually.

• Obtainable on Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Professional.

Google launched cough and snore detection with the Pixel 7 collection, and this function drop brings the options to the earlier flagships. It is advisable to arrange Bedtime mode in Clock and Digital Wellbeing settings after which use the Pixel that can assist you perceive what impacts your sleep.

This function drop contains three new Curated Tradition wallpapers to rejoice the Worldwide Day of Individuals with Disabilities. It additionally contains the brand new Reside Bloom wallpaper assortment that shifts and sways photos when your Pixel homescreen strikes round.

Spatial Audio

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

Spatial Audio assist was introduced for the abovementioned gadgets. You would want a Pixel Buds Professional alongside a suitable app and content material. You possibly can even use it with wired headphones.

Increasing current options

Along with new options, Google additionally took the chance to broaden some current Pixel options to new areas:

• Now you can share your digital automotive key with iPhones and gadgets with Android 12 and above.
• Gboard’s Grammar Examine is now out there in French, along with English and Spanish.
• Reside Translate can now translate despatched and acquired 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 numerous few notable options for the Pixel Watch:

• Sleep Profile: Google expanded a Fitbit Premium function to the Pixel Watch. With Sleep Profile, the Pixel Watch considers ten facets of sleep, together with period, bedtime consistency, and disruption, to present you insights into your sleep habits. It is advisable to put on your Pixel Look ahead to no less than 14 nights each month, and outcomes can be out there 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.