Google Announces New Pixel Feature Drop

Hot on the heels of last week’s Android Feature Bundle, Google today announced a massive new Feature Update for the Pixel portfolio that includes some exciting new AI functionality. Key among them, of course, is the introduction of the Gemini Nano on-device AI model to the Pixel 8 Pro.

“Gemini Nano is our most efficient model built for on-device tasks, and starting today, it’s running on Pixel 8 Pro,” Google vice president Brian Rakowski writes in the announcement post. ” As the first smartphone engineered for Gemini Nano, it uses the power of Google Tensor G3 to deliver two expanded features: Summarize in Recorder and Smart Reply in Gboard. Gemini Nano running on Pixel 8 Pro offers several advantages by design, helping prevent sensitive data from leaving the phone, as well as offering the ability to use features without a network connection. In addition to Gemini Nano now running on-device, the broader family of Gemini models will unlock new capabilities for the Assistant with Bard experience early next year on Pixel.”

But it’s not just Gemini (and not just the Pixel 8 Pro). Today’s Feature Drop also includes the following new features:

Video Boost for Pixel 8 Pro. This feature was announced during the Made by Google event in October and it’s available now. Video Boost uploads videos taken with the Pixel 8 Pro to the Google cloud where its computational photography models adjust the color, lighting, stabilization, and graininess, resulting in what Google calls “stunning videos that look true to life.” Video Boost also enables Night Sight video on Pixel 8 Pro with AI-based noise reduction.

Night Sight in Timelapse. Available on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, this new feature lets users record vibrant, detailed timelapse videos in low light, assuming you have a steady surface or a tripod. (Similar to astrophotography, it seems.)

Portrait light improvements. Google Photos uses a new AI model to enable a Balance light feature in Portrait light that removes shadows and improves portrait shots, no matter when they were taken.

Photo Unblur improvements. Photo Unblur now offers improved unblurring of dogs and cats in addition to refocusing people’s faces and backgrounds.

Dual screen preview on Pixel Fold. Now, Pixel Fold users can let their subjects preview themselves on the outer screen while setting up a photo on the inner screen.

Video calls from your computer. Those with a Pixel Fold or Pixel 6 or newer phone can now use their phone as a webcam by connecting to the PC or Chromebook over USB.

Clean. A new Camera app feature called Clean helps remove smudges, stains, and creases from scanned documents.

Google Password Manager improvements. Those with a Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or Pixel 5a with 5G and newer phones can now use a new Google Password Manager feature that identifies those of your accounts that support passkeys and help you set them up on your device.

Repair mode. This new feature will keep your personal data protected when your device is out of your hands and being serviced.

Call Screen improvements. On Pixel Fold and Pixel 6 and newer phones, Call Screen will now suggest contextual replies for you so that you can respond in a way that fits the situation, without having to take the call yourself. Call Screen is also now available on Pixel Watch so you can ignore or identify callers before picking up your phone.

Use Pixel Watch to unlock your device. Now, you can use your Pixel Watch to unlock your Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or Pixel 5a or newer phone when they’re near each other.

Clear Calling on Pixel Tablet. Now, you can access Clear Calling background video and audio noise reduction on Pixel Tablet.

Spatial audio on Pixel Tablet. The long-promised spatial audio feature is available now on Pixel Tablet via its built-in speakers and Pixel Buds Pro.

Weather everywhere. The World Clock tab in Clocks and Widgets now provides regional weather information.

Pixel Watch 2 features on OG Pixel Watch. The original Pixel Watch can now sync Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes between the watch and your phone. And it supports new watch face designs and complication styles from Pixel Watch 2.

But wait, there’s more. The Recorder app now transcribes in 28 new languages. Pixel’s Direct My Call and Hold for Me now work with business numbers that don’t have a toll-free prefix, and both features are also now available in the UK.