Google said Thursday it is introducing multiple updates for Pixel and Android devices as part of the December feature drop. These features include new Gemini extensions, an updated Pixel Screenshots app, expressive captions, and accessibility enhancements.
Android
Google is introducing new Gemini extensions, including Spotify, Messaging, Calling, and Smart Home. This will enable users to explore songs and playlists through Gemini. They can also use Gemini to send messages or call people through their default messaging and calling apps. The company said it will soon allow users to control smart home devices through Gemini.
The company is using that opportunity to update Gemini Advance to remember your preferences and interests. For instance, if you have saved your dietary preference, Gemini will suggest recipes accordingly.
What’s more, the company is adding Gemini 1.5 to the Lookout app for the visually impaired for image Q&As. This feature has evolved over the years with the ability to ask questions about an image through voice and AI-generated image captions.
Android is also getting a new expressive captions feature that will try to reflect the emotions of the content on the screen. The feature will describe expressions such as [whispering], [cheers and applause], and [groaning].
Google Drive is getting an upgrade with better auto-enhancements in Google Drive. This feature automatically edits document snaps by adjusting white balance and contrast.
The company is also adding a QR code in the share sheet for photos and videos and new sticker combos in the emoji drawer for the Gboard keyboard.
Pixel updates
Google is adding a new easy-to-operate mode by increasing the font size and touch sensitivity for better visibility and access. The company is also rolling out a theft protection-related update requiring you to unlock the phone with biometric authentication when changing sensitive settings in a new location.
Plus, Snap is getting a new photo picker, so you will see all your folders, favorites, and
cloud photos. The share sheet has also been improved and can show album art on songs detected through the Now Playing feature. The call screening feature also got an upgrade — users can peek over the conversation between an AI agent and the caller. They can also answer or reject the call.
All these features will be available to all Pixel devices as long as you have a Pixel 6 or later.
On Pixel 9 devices more specifically, Gemini Nano is getting more contextual smart replies during a call to answer the caller without picking up the phone.
The Pixel Screenshots app, launched with the Pixel 9 series phones, can now categorize screenshots automatically and surface them through search filters. Plus, you can save items you found using circle to search in the Screenshots app. What’s more, if you have saved screenshots of tickets or passes, the app lets you add them quickly to Google Wallet. The app can also suggest actions like adding a calendar invite.
The Screenshots app also has a new suggestions feature, which shows you movies, music, and product suggestions from your screenshots in other apps.
Google said that the new Pixel 9 series phones are getting support for posting and capturing HDR photos directly to Instagram. The update also brings a clearer voice recording mode in the recorder app and shows stickers created in Pixel Studio in Gboard.
For the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the company is introducing dual screen portrait mode, so the subject of the photo can preview the framing before the image is taken. Google is also expanding its “Made You Look” feature, for capturing a toddler or a pet’s attention through screen animation, to the original Pixel Fold.
Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet updates
The Pixel Watch 2 is getting an integration with doorbell notifications on your Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell. It allows you to view who is at the door. Google said it is expanding loss of pulse detection — which notifies close contact when the person wearing the Pixel Watch has no heartbeat — for Pixel Watch 3 users from Germany and Portugal.
The company is expanding support of fitness readings like cardio load and target cardio load to multiple watches including Pixel Watch 1, Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, Sense, Sense 2, Versa 2, Versa 3, Versa 4, Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 2, Inspire 3, and Luxe.
What’s more, the Pixel Tablet is getting VPN feature support and lockscreen widget support. Phew, that was a lot, but I think we got through all the important new features.