Google Thursday said it is introducing many updates for Pixel and Android devices in its December feature drop. These features being rolled out include new Gemini extensions, an updated Pixel Screenshots app, expressive captions, and accessibility enhancements.

Android

Google has come up with a few new Gemini speech extensions that let you search for songs or playlists on Spotify. You can also send a message or make a call using the default messaging or calling app while conversing with your Gemini. In the future, you will be able to control smart appliances with Gemini.

This will also be an opportunity to update Gemini Advance by remembering your preferences or interests. To illustrate, if you have dietary constraints saved, Gemini will respond with recipes according to them.

Moreover, new features such as Gemini 1.5 are being added to the Lookout app in order to allow image Q&As for disabled people. For now, users can ask questions about an image through voice and AI-generated captions about the image.

Android will receive new expressive captions that attempt to convey the tone of the content shown on screen. The feature will describe expressions such as [whispering], [cheers and applause], and [groaning].

It also makes for improved auto-enhancements in Google Drive, which allows automatic edits of document snaps with white-balance and contrast adjustments.

Gboard is adding a QR code on the share sheet for photos and videos, plus new sticker combinations in the emoji drawer.

Pixel update

Google is adding a new easy-to-operate mode with bigger text and touch sensitivity for better visibility and accessibility. A theft protection-related update will let an unauthorized user know you are there by requiring you to unlock the phone with biometrics for sensitive changes in a new location.

Google gemini — **Image Credit : Google**

Plus, Snap is getting a new photo picker, so all folders, favorites, and cloud photos will be visible. The share sheet was improved, capable of showing album art on songs detected through the Now Playing feature. Call screening was also upgraded; users can peek in on the conversation between an AI agent and the caller and choose to take or reject the call.

All of these features will be here for all the Pixel devices as long as you have a Pixel 6 or later.

On Pixel 9 devices specifically, Gemini Nano is offering more contextual smart replies during calls for users to respond without picking up the phone.

The Screenshot app rolled out along with the Pixel 9 series and is capable of categorizing screenshots and surfacing them with search filters automatically. Additionally, items found in Circle to Search may be appended in the Screenshots app itself. Also, if you saved screenshots of passes or tickets, the app lets you quickly add them to Google Wallet. The app can even suggest actions, such as adding a calendar invite.

The screenshots app also has this suggestion feature that shows you movies, music, and product suggestions from your screenshots in other apps.

According to Google’s officials, HDR photo posting is now supported on Pixel 9 series phones directly to Instagram directly, while voice recording mode in the recorder app has become clearer and now exists for stickers created in Pixel Studio Gboard.

The two phones, Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, are the first devices to add a dual-screen portrait mode that allows the subject of the picture to preview the frame right before the photo is taken. Google is also extending its “Made you look” feature, intended to capture a toddler’s or a pet’s attention with screen animation, to the original Pixel Fold.

Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet updates

With the upcoming Pixel Watch 2, you will get integration with doorbell notifications for your Nest Cam and Nest Doorbell, put your own eyes in place of taking a picture of who is at the door. The loss of pulse detection, which notifies a close contact when the wearer of the Pixel Watch has no heartbeat, is being extended by Google for Pixel Watch 3 users from Germany and Portugal.

The integration of the workout metrics like fitness load and target fitness load is being expanded to other watches such as 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.

Besides, the Pixel Tablet is getting basic support for its VPN feature, along with support for its lock screen widgets. Whew, that sure was a lot, but I think we nailed down just about every new significant feature.