June Feature Drop 2024: Pixel Devices Get Handy Upgrades

Google has announced a new June Feature Drop for Pixel devices, bringing new handy features. These updates began rolling out today and will continue over the next few weeks, explained Mikaela Kraft, Product Marketing Manager, Pixel.

Pixel Phones

Gemini Nano now is available for the Pixel 8 and 8a. Google’s AI model is now available as a developer option on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a. Users can enable this in the device settings. Back in December, Gemini Nano debuted for the Pixel 8 Pro to use in the Recorder app summaries and Smart Reply in Gboard.

The Recorder app on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a now includes the Summarize feature, which runs on-device to deliver detailed, downloadable summaries. The app can detect speaker names, improving conversational transcripts. Users can export these transcripts into text files or Google Docs.

Also new, Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro can now display content on larger screens, such as computer monitors, via USB-C.

Google says Find My Device has been updated to locate phones even when they are off or the battery is dead, keeping location data encrypted and private.

The Pixel camera now automatically selects the best moment in HDR+ photos, ensuring faces are in focus and smiling with a single shutter press.

Pixel 8 Pro users can now perform reverse phone number searches directly from their call log.

Google Wallet has expanded to India, allowing more users to store and access items like boarding passes, loyalty cards, and tickets securely.

Pixel’s camera now allows manual selection of camera lenses for more control over photos.

Pixel Watches

Coinciding with National Safety Month, Pixel Watch 2 now features Car Crash Detection. The watch checks in on the user after a severe car accident and can automatically dial emergency services if there is no response. It also integrates with Emergency Sharing to notify contacts and share real-time location.

Pixel Watch users can now link their PayPal account to Google Wallet for easier payments. The Google Home app has also been revamped, offering faster access to smart home devices directly from the watch.

Pixel Tablet

Pixel Tablets will now have richer doorbell notifications when docked in hub mode, providing a snapshot of who is at the front door with options for two-way talk or quick responses.

A new Google Home Favourites widget allows quick access to smart home devices from the phone and tablet home screens.

There’s nothing like getting a software update to make your existing devices better than before. Keep an eye out for these updates coming to your Pixel devices.

Check out the video below that is hyping up these upgrades, with the releases timed the day after Apple’s WWDC keynote that debuted a preview of iOS 18 and more: