Android 15, October Pixel Drop Come to Pixel Devices

Better late than never. Google announced that it has begun rolling out Android 15, starting with supported Pixel devices. There’s also a new October Pixel Drop–previously called a Pixel Feature Drop–for Pixel devices too.

“Android 15 includes security features that help keep your sensitive health, financial, and personal information protected from theft and fraud,” Google vice president Seang Chau writes. “Plus, we’re introducing improvements for large-screen devices that help you get more done, and updates across apps including camera, messaging, and passkeys.”

Google started external Android 15 testing in February, on the usual schedule, advancing to the first beta in April and then what was expected to be the final release in July, about a month earlier than usual. But when the Pixel 9 series launched in August, Android 15 was nowhere to be found, and those devices subsequently shipped with Android 14. A delay until October was quietly revealed a few weeks later.

Well, it’s October, and Android 15 is now shipping to supported Pixel devices alongside a separate October Pixel Drop that is exclusive to Pixel.

Android 15 includes Theft Detection Lock, Remote Lock, and other theft protection features, a Private Space with additional authentication for hiding sensitive apps, new features like taskbar pinning and unpinning, customized layouts, and app pairing for foldable devices and tablets, improved Low Light Boost and in-app camera controls, satellite connectivity for carrier messaging apps, app-based passkey support, and more.

As for the October Pixel Drop, aside from the name change, this is a big month.

Google is delivering hands-free Gemini–previously a Pixel Buds Pro 2 exclusive–on Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-series, and the OG Pixel Buds. Pixel phones users get Gemini search capabilities in Pixel Screenshots, Audio Magic Eraser on Pixel 8 and newer phones, Underwater photography capabilities (when used with a waterproof case), a new Astro toggle in Night Sight mode for quicker access to astrophotography features, Night Sight integration with Instagram, distance temperature readings with the Temperature app, a pollen tracker in Pixel Weather, new widgets, Call Screen improvements in the UK and Japan, and improvement to the vibration intensity of ringtones, notifications, and alerts.

Pixel Watch users are getting a new frequent contacts tile, emoji email reactions, and Loss of Pulse detection, a Pixel Watch 3 exclusive, in three more countries: Belgium, Italy and Spain. And Pixel Tablet is being updated with seamless media casting with Spotify and YouTube Music to a Pixel phone, notification dismissal sync between the device and a Pixel phone, more controls in the Home panel screensaver, and picture sharing from the digital photo frame mode.

Android 15 and the October Pixel Drop both begin rolling out today.