Another Feature Drop has arrived, and this time it brings amazing new functionalities to your device like Gemini Nano for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a now in developer edition, Car Crash Detection for Pixel Watch 2, and so on. Some of these features will start appearing on devices today and others over the next few weeks.
Features that the Pixel phones will be getting
1. Gemini Nano also extends to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a
Google has revealed the June Feature Drop aimed at Pixel devices, which means new features and enhancements for Pixel smartphones and Pixel Watches. Following the use of the Gemini Nano AI model in Pixel 8 Pro for model execution, Google is now porting this small-scaled AI model to other devices in the Pixel 8 series
Gemini Nano is Google’s least resource-intensive AI model designed for on-device tasks, and from today, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a are available for developers to use Gemini Nano as an option. You can activate developer options in your Pixel’s settings.
It is now possible to get more detailed logs of conversations, especially if you have a Pixel 8 Pro or another device with Gemini Nano enabled in the developer menu. There is also a Find My Device update exclusive to the Pixel 8 family, that can locate your phone when it’s powered off or when the battery is drained for up to 23 hours. Your phone can also be charged through the USB-C port and can also be connected to a larger screen for better viewing.
2. Extend your transcripts to the next level
Gemini powers Summarize in Recorder to operate natively on Pixel 8 and 8a – and the Recorder app now provides more comprehensive, downloadable summaries to Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a. It is also capable of recognizing the names of speakers to enhance conversational transcripts. Moreover, since transcripts can be easily exported into text files or Google Docs, maintaining such items as interviews or the lecturer’s classes becomes a piece of cake.
3. Get your entertainment on the big screen
Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro can now cast content on a larger screen like your computer monitor when you connect it with a USB-C, useful for watching movies, episodes, and presentations.
4. Battery boost
Find My Device is getting a helpful update that lets you track your phone even if it’s dead or turned off, all while keeping your information secure and anonymous from Google.
5. Best camera
The Pixel camera can now detect the best photo in HDR+ from just one shot; thus, it becomes easier to take a photo that has your face in focus and smiling.
6. Google Wallet advances
Google Wallet was recently launched in India which means many more people will be able to safely and conveniently store and access day-to-day items such as boarding passes, loyalty cards, event tickets, transport tickets, gift cards, and much more.
Other features:
- You can now run a reverse phone number search over your call log with the ease of a few taps.
- Pixel’s camera now supports selecting the desired camera lens when taking pictures so you can capture the perfect moment.
Features that the Pixel watches will be getting
1. Additional security during trips and journeys
- To commemorate National Safety Month, Car Crash Detection is introduced as a new safety feature of Pixel Watch 2 that provides you with more options to be safe and seek assistance if the situation calls for it even when your Pixel phone is not within reach.
- In a heavy car collision, your wristwatch will be there asking if you are alright.
- If you require assistance or fail to reply, it will directly call for an ambulance.
- Car Crash Detection works with Emergency Sharing on your watch, meaning your emergency contacts will be notified and receive your real-time location in the event of a crash.
- Enhancements are also made to the Fall Detection algorithm to enhance the ability to detect falls from bicycles.
2. Application enhancement
Now, you have even more options for paying with a Pixel Watch when you are outside without pulling out your physical wallet. Now you can tie your PayPal account to Google Wallet on your watch in case you want to shop without your wallet or your hands are full. Your Google Home app is getting a revamp and you can now access your smart home devices faster and easier directly from your watch.
Google App gets a new look:
- Swipe your wrist and connect to your Google Home Favorites.
- Press the device icon to launch the Home App where one can control the temperature, turn off the lights, and so on.
- Wear OS: Now you can control a smart home device from your watch face. Swipe down the device shortcut and change settings, all on your wrist.
- With the Google Home app on Wear OS, you get more options on how you can interact with your smart home gadgets. Operate the level of your blind or the speed of your fan, all from your wristwatch.
Features that the Pixel tablets will be getting :
- In hub mode when it’s docked, providing a glimpse of who is at your front door. You can ‘talk’ with them using two-way talk or send them a Quick Response.
- The new Google Home Favorites widget ensures you get a much faster way of accessing your compatible smart home devices. On your phone and tablet home screen, you will receive fast and personalized smart home controls where you can adjust your thermostat or turn on the lights with a tap.
All of these features come together to make your Pixel devices even better. No matter whether you are at home or on the move, your Pixel devices are essentials for this summer.