With their annual Pixel hardware launch in the rearview mirror, Google is now turning their attention to the software side of things. First up: a new Pixel Feature Drop. This isn’t something out of the blue, though: A Pixel Feature Drop happens every few months, and adds some cool new features to compatible Pixel phones.
For the December 2023 drop, there are a couple of new features coming exclusively to the Pixel 8 Pro (sorry Pixel 8 users) like Gemini Nano, Video Boost, Night Sight Video, and more.
Gemini Nano on Pixel 8 Pro
Google introduced a new AI model on Wednesday called Gemini that can run on devices from data centers to mobile devices. Lucky for Pixel 8 Pro users, Gemini Nano, the smallest and most efficient form of Gemini, is coming in the December drop.
Gemini Nano on Pixel 8 Pro powers the new Summarize feature in the Recorder app. With it, you’ll be able to quickly get a summary of your recordings without a network connection since all the processing is done on-device. In addition, Gemini Nano powers Smart Reply in Gboard: The on-device AI model suggests responses by using conversational awareness, so hopefully the suggested replies are more useful than ever.
You can try the new Gemini Nano-powered Smart Reply in WhatsApp to start, with more apps will be supported in the new year.
Video Boost and Night Sight Video on Pixel 8 Pro
During their hardware event in October, Google showed off Video Boost as a powerful Pixel 8 Pro exclusive. The feature uploads your videos to the cloud, then processes the video using Google’s computational photography models to adjust the lighting, color, stabilization and graininess. After your video has been processed, Google says your video should be more “true to life.”
Video Boost also enables another new feature called Night Sight Video, which uses AI to apply noise reduction to your videos recorded at night or in low-light situations.
Another camera feature coming to both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 is Night Sight in Time Lapse. Once you set your phone on a sturdy surface, like a rock or tripod, you’ll be able to record time-lapse videos in low light. This is perfect for shooting the night sky or a vibrant cityscape at nighttime.
Photography improvements
This drop introduces a series of photography improvements for your Pixel. Google is adding a new AI model to help improve Portrait light in Google Photos, which can remove harsh shadows so that Portrait photos look their best. In addition, Photo Unblur has also been improved to sharpen images of dogs and cats, in addition to refocusing people’s faces.
If you have a Pixel Fold, you can now enable Dual Screen Preview, which displays a camera preview on the outer screen when taking a photo. You can also use your Pixel as a webcam, now. Just connect your Pixel 6 or newer (or Pixel Fold) via a USB cable to your computer and choose the webcam option under USB Preferences.
If you’re someone who scans documents on your Pixel, then the new Clean feature will be useful. “Clean” can remove any smudges, stains and creases from your scanned documents, so they’re both more presentable and legible.
Repair Mode
If you need to send in your Pixel phone in for repair, check out the new Repair Mode. When you enable it, Repair Mode will protect your apps and personal data in a secure environment. The only way in is by entering the secure code you set. (Google, of course, recommends you take care to make this code strong.) After you exit the Repair Mode, access to your phone, and its data, will return to normal.
Smarter replies in Call Screen
One of the best features on Pixel phones is Call Screen: This feature can answer calls on your behalf, and display a transcription of the call, so you can decide whether or not you want to take it. Now, it’s even better with the December Feature Drop. Call Screen will now give contextual replies, such as confirming or cancelling an appointment when a doctor’s office calls, in addition to weeding out spam callers. Call Screen also works on Pixel Watch, so you can see who’s calling before picking up your phone.
Speaking of the Pixel Watch, you’ll now be able to unlock your phone using your watch when they’re connected. So long as you’re wearing your Pixel Watch, you won’t have to use fingerprint or face unlock on your phone every time you wake it up.
Smaller features
Google also added some smaller features that improve quality of life while using your Pixel devices. For example, we now have Clearing Calling support for video calls on Pixel Tablet, weather in the Clock app, and Google Password Manager can now identify which accounts support passkeys. Additionally, if you have a first-gen Pixel Watch, you’ll see features like syncing Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes, new watch face designs like Adventure and Analog Arcs, and updated complication styles such as arcs and redesigned bulbs.
Which Pixel phones will be getting the December Feature Drop?
The December Feature Drop is rolling out to Pixel devices today, including Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel Fold, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, and Pixel Tablet. Not all features from the December Feature Drop will be coming to all Pixel devices.
