Google's December 2024 Pixel Update: Gemini AI Takes Center Stage with Personalization and Extended Functionality

The Latest Pixel Drop Lets Gemini Remember Details About You

It's Pixel Drop time again, and the December 2024 edition of Google's regular phone and tablet upgrade series brings with it improvements to Gemini AI, photo sharing, instant messaging, device security, accessibility, and more. There's a lot to cover, and given the way AI is dominating tech headlines right now, it makes sense to start with Google Gemini. The AI-powered assistant now has the ability to remember things about you -- favorite movies, your taste in food, your love of sports -- to provide more personalized answers. These memories can be viewed and deleted at any time, or disabled completely. Gemini is getting more extensions too, as it aims to catch up to and go beyond the functionality in Google Assistant. New extensions will let you use Gemini to control Spotify, manage your smart home devices through Google Home, and ask about locations on Google Maps. If you've got a Pixel 9 phone with the Gemini Nano model on board, you now have access to smarter, context-sensitive auto-replies for calls you've screened and decided not to answer, so you can essentially hold a conversation with someone without taking the call. All Pixels from the Pixel 4 onwards will show transcripts of these conversations on screen. Photo sharing and picking has been streamlined for Instagram and Snapchat, and if you've got a foldable Google Phone -- the Pixel Fold or the Pixel 9 Pro Fold -- then you can get dual-screen previews of your portrait photos on the main screen. The Made You Look feature, for keeping young kids looking at the camera, has now been rolled out to the Pixel Fold, while more animations for it are heading to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. A new feature called Identity Check is being rolled out in beta form, which will insist on face or fingerprint authentication when you're changing sensitive settings on your handset -- even if the phone is already unlocked. It gives you extra protection against someone accessing your phone and then changing your passwords or PIN codes. Google is also rolling out what it's calling Expressive Captions, which use AI to augment the existing live captioning function on Android, where auto-generated captions can be put on screen for any audio. You'll get a better sense of the emotion in the audio through the use of signifiers in the text like capital letters and descriptions of sounds like gasps. Another new feature is called Simple View, available on the Pixel 6 and newer phones, which increases the font size and the touchscreen sensitivity -- definitely something to switch on if you struggle to see text on screen or hit buttons and menus accurately. The excellent speech-to-text Recorder app that Google puts on its Pixels is getting an upgrade too, with a new 'clear voice' feature that reduces background noise to focus on the vocals. Another Pixel exclusive, Now Playing, will show album art for the songs it's automatically identifying around you. There are several minor updates here as well. For Pixel 9 devices, Pixel Studio stickers can be sent right from the Gboard keyboard, while the Pixel Screenshots app gets tighter Circle to Search integration, Google Wallet syncing, auto-categorization, and suggestions on Gboard. On all Pixels, the Emoji Kitchen emoji maker is easier to navigate. Away from phones, widgets on Pixel tablets can now be accessed from the lock screen with a swipe to the right, and Pixel tablets now have access to the Google VPN too. In the wearables department, the older Pixel Watch 2 is getting the ability to see live feeds from Nest cameras right on your wrist, to match the Pixel Watch 3. Speaking of the Pixel Watch 3, the Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, and Target Load features Google introduced with that wearable are going to make their way to older Pixel Watches and Fitbit watches and trackers too, so watch out for the functionality arriving. These updates are rolling out now. You can manually check for an update on your Pixel phone or tablet by heading to Settings, then choosing System and Software updates.

Google Just Dropped December's Pixel Updates -- and Yes, Most Have to Do With Gemini

You'll Finally Be Able to Make Calls Faster With an Overdue Gemini Setting Every so often, Google releases a slew of new Pixel features in the form of what's known as a "Pixel Drop." The latest drop touts improvements related to the phone's camera, audiovisual tools, and most importantly, to Gemini, Google's AI-powered assistant. ✕ Remove Ads The Pixel Can Now Play Nicer With Gemini Google has been eager to share advancements with its generative AI-powered assistant, from Gemini's new Spotify extension to a Gemini lock screen setting permitting easier mobile calls. Nevertheless, these updates ultimately mean nothing if a device can't support it. Enter: the latest Pixel Drop, which will allow Pixel users to take advantage of Gemini's more advanced functionality. Your Secrets Are Saved With Gemini Your Google Pixel will now be able to leverage Google's "memory" capability for Gemini, thanks to a new feature called Saved info. Essentially, when chatting with Gemini on a Pixel device, you can ask the AI-powered assistant to remember something about you, such as a dietary preference or schedule parameter. That way, future responses will consider this context and be more uniquely helpful to you. ✕ Remove Ads In addition to flagging details for Gemini to save during a chat, you can add and edit preferences at gemini.google.com by selecting Settings > Saved info. You have to have Gemini Advanced to take advantage of the Saved info feature. The premium upgrade costs $19.99 per month. More App Support The newest Pixel updates also mean that Gemini will be able to communicate with more apps, like Contacts, Google Messages, and the Clock. Some highlights of this new compatibility include being able to ask Gemini to draft texts for you, call someone, or set alarms. According to the announcement of the drop on Google's blog, the company will be "adding support for even more apps in the coming weeks." Pixel Captions Are More "Expressive" Than Ever As Gemini's new memory functionality reminds us, context is everything -- and Google's latest Pixel updates take this into account in more ways than one. In addition to its Gemini compatibility updates, Google has also introduced Expressive Captions for US users with a Pixel 6 or later. ✕ Remove Ads The feature, which applies captions to any content you watch on your phone, uses font styles, bracketed sound effects, and capitalization to help you understand the emotion behind the dialogue instead of a straight transcript. The Pixel's New Camera Features Bring Organization and Accessibility Known for its sharp photography skills, the Pixel will also get more advanced camera functionality in this drop. A couple of highlights include a Dual Screen feature and new integrations for Pixel Screenshots. Dual Screen If you have a Pixel Fold or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, then you can take advantage of Google's Dual Screen feature. The display function allows both you and your subject to see a preview of the image before you take it. That way, your subject isn't just relying on your direction to know what pose to strike (not that your creative vision isn't brilliant). ✕ Remove Ads Pixel Screenshots The latest drop includes an integration between Pixel Screenshots and the Circle to Search feature. With this integration, you can now add search results to your Pixel Screenshots with a simple tap. As a result, you aren't scratching your head trying to remember that recipe you looked up yesterday. Google is also adding more organization to Pixel Screenshots with image categories. As someone who takes an insane amount of screenshots, and then has trouble finding what I need later, I am personally the most envious of this feature. Of course, as much as these newly dropped features are a "gift" to current Pixel owners, they are simultaneously a ploy for new customers. Particularly now, when AI tools are everything, the Pixel's added support for Gemini is a huge perk for the hardware. After all, even if you can technically get the Gemini app on an iOS device, the AI-powered assistant is far more effective with the Pixel's integrations. ✕ Remove Ads

Google Rolls Out Pixel Drop for December 2024 With These New Features

Gemini can now save information and provide tailored responses Google has rolled out the December Pixel Feature Drop update for compatible Pixel devices. Apart from including the latest security patch, the update introduces new ways of using Gemini -- the company's artificial intelligence (AI) large language model (LLM). The new features include getting more personalised responses, accessing more apps and services, and taking advantage of smarter replies when using Call Screen. The Pixel Feature Drop also brings major upgrades to the Pixel Screenshots app, in addition to more features on Pixel Studio, Gboard, and other system improvements. In a blog post, Google highlighted the new features arriving exclusively on Pixel devices as part of the December Pixel Drop. It includes a bunch of AI upgrades, especially related to Gemini. Users can now ask the AI assistant to save information such as their preferences or details about their lives, and Gemini will leverage it to provide more helpful and tailored responses. The company emphasises that control over the information remains with the users and they can choose to view, edit or delete any information that has been saved. Gemini also gets support for the native call and message apps, enabling it to call personal contacts or businesses, as well as draft and send messages. It also accepts additional commands, such as setting alarms and tweaking the device settings. Users can command the AI assistant to play songs courtesy of the new Spotify extension, and it will soon be able to control smart home devices connected with the Google account. When using Call Screen, Gemini Nano will provide more contextual easy-to-tap replies, enabling users to decide whether to accept the call or ask more follow-up questions via simple text-based prompts. Another addition to the Call Screen feature allows them to get a live transcript of the conversations happening between the caller and the AI agent. The Pixel Screenshots app is being upgraded with several new features. When using Circle to Search, Pixel users can save the desired result in the app. It also gets automatic categorisation capabilities and brings new search filters. Further, users can add tickets or credit cards that they've taken screenshots of to the Wallet app. While searching in apps, Gboard will provide movie, music, product and other text suggestions based on information gathered in screenshots. Additionally, stickers created using Pixel Studio will be available on Gboard. Google's latest update also introduces accessibility enhancements with the new Simple View feature which is claimed to increase the font size and touch sensitivity. Further, the Now Playing history will display the album art for each track. The Recorder app gets "Clear Voice" functionality which can suppress the background noise and highlight the human voice. Google says Pixel users can also now share Ultra HDR photos to their Instagram feed. It rolls out the Identity Check feature in beta for Pixel which requires biometric authentication before making changes to sensitive device settings outside trusted places. The Expressive Captions feature, which was previously exclusive to Pixel devices, has been rolled out for other Android smartphones too.

Google Pixel Feature Drop: New Gemini features, camera improvements, and security upgrades

Google has started rolling out the December Pixel Drop 2024 update, bringing a range of exciting new features to Pixel devices. This update includes enhancements to Gemini, new Pixel Screenshots features, camera improvements, and critical security updates. Gemini now includes a "saved info" feature, allowing users to receive more personalized responses. By saving preferences such as dietary choices (e.g., vegetarian), Gemini will provide suggestions that align with individual interests. Users can view, edit, or delete any saved information at any time. Gemini's functionality is now available across more apps. Users can ask Gemini to make calls, send messages, set alarms, adjust device settings, and even take selfies. The update also integrates with more services, including Spotify for music and smart home devices linked to your Google Account. Additionally, Gemini now supports more languages. Gemini Nano on Pixel devices now offers smart, easy-to-tap responses during call screening. Users can answer or respond to unknown calls with pre-set messages, helping to manage situations like package deliveries more efficiently. The update now allows users to view live transcripts of conversations during call screening, making it easier to decide whether to answer the call. Users can now share Ultra HDR photos directly to Instagram, capturing bright, high-contrast images with more detail. Sharing photos and videos on Snapchat is also simplified, as users can access all their media folders directly from the Photo Picker. For Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold users, the Dual Screen in Portrait Mode now offers better photo previews. The "Made You Look" feature is now available for the first-generation Pixel Fold, adding fun animations to grab attention. Pixel 9 Pro Fold users will also see the addition of "Joy" from Disney's Inside Out for added fun. Pixel Studio stickers are now available directly in Gboard, allowing users to share their custom sticker creations. Additionally, Emoji Kitchen's new navigation makes it easier to find unique emoji combinations. Pixel Screenshots now includes automatic categorization, easier search filters, and functionality to save screenshots to Google Wallet for quick access. Android users can now enjoy expressive captions that use AI to reflect the emotion and intensity of speech. This feature is available across various content types, including videos and livestreams, adding a layer of contextual understanding. The Recorder app has been updated with a "Clear Voice" feature to reduce background noise during recordings, ensuring that the speaker's voice stands out. A new Simple View feature increases font size and touch sensitivity, making it easier to navigate your device. This update is especially beneficial for users with visual impairments or those who prefer a simpler layout. The Now Playing feature has been upgraded to show album art for songs, enhancing the music discovery experience. Pixel Tablet users will also benefit from faster access to controls for smart home devices, music, and timers directly from the lock screen. Travelers can now enable Identity Check, requiring facial or fingerprint authentication before any changes can be made to sensitive settings on their phones. The free Google VPN, previously available on Pixel phones, is now available on Pixel Tablets to ensure secure data protection on public Wi-Fi. Pixel Watch 2 users can now view live video from their Nest Cam or Doorbell. The "Loss of Pulse" feature for emergency situations has been expanded to users in Germany and Portugal, along with other new health and safety tools for Pixel Watch users. Starting December 9, the Daily Readiness algorithm and new metrics, including Cardio Load and Target Load, will be available on Pixel Watches and Fitbit devices. These features help users manage their exercise and recovery for optimal fitness. The December Pixel Drop update is rolling out to supported Pixel devices. The rollout will continue in phases over the coming weeks, depending on the carrier and device.

Google's December 2024 Pixel Update Goes Live: Here's What's New - Phandroid

If you own a Google Pixel device, then you might want to check your phone for Google's latest software update, which brings new features to select Google Pixel smartphones. The update is available for several models, which includes the Pixel 6 series all the way up to the Pixel 9 phones. For one, Gemini Advanced now comes with a new Saved info feature that allows it to remember a user's personal interests and preferences for future reference, and users can choose to edit or delete their info afterwards. Google adds that it's working on better integration between Gemini and other apps, and users will be able to call personal contacts, businesses, draft messages, set alarms and more using Gemini. READ: Here's How to Use the Spotify Extension for Gemini on Android Much like Google Assistant, users will be able to use Gemini to control smart home devices are linked to their Google Accounts can access such as smart plugs and lights, TVs, and even information about places in Google Maps. Gemini Live is also expanding to more languages, letting users from more regions worldwide access its AI features more easily. The Pixel's super-useful Call Screening feature will also get a boost via Gemini Nano in the form of more contextually-relevant suggestions to unknown callers. Users can also now view live transcripts of screened calls, allowing them to decide whether to answer or decline. For photos, the update also introduces support for Ultra HDR photos, which come with enhancements to details and contrast. Sharing photos and videos to Snapchat is now more convenient with direct access to folders, favourites, and cloud photos. Additionally, Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold users can use the improved Dual Screen Portrait Mode when taking selfie photos on their devices, and the Made You Look feature finally makes its way to the first-generation Pixel Fold. READ: Looks like the Pixel 6 Might End Up Getting Android 16 Pixel Studio stickers can now be shared directly from Gboard, and Emoji Kitchen now offers a more intuitive way to find the perfect emoji mash-up. The update also brings changes to the Pixel Screenshots feature, which has been upgraded with automatic categorization, suggested actions, and Google Wallet integration; Gboard meanwhile now offers suggestions from screenshots in relevant apps. Additionally, the update also comes with Expressive Captions, as well as improved noise reduction for the Recorder app. There's also Simple View, makes navigation easier with larger font size and touch sensitivity, and Now Playing provides enhanced album art display to accompany identified music. Finally, the update also adds a bit of improvement to security via Identity Check, which will require face or fingerprint authentication while traveling to protect sensitive settings.

Google's December 2024 Pixel Drop just arrived with a boatload of new features

Table of Contents Table of Contents New features for all Android users Other new features just for Pixels Pixel Watch and Fitbit The rest of the Pixel portfolio It's December, and that means a big new update for your Android phone, as well as even more goodies if you're a Google Pixel user. Google is officially rolling out its December 2024 Pixel Drop, and there's a lot to go over. From new features for all Android users to a few things exclusive to Pixels, here's the lowdown on what's new. Recommended Videos New features for all Android users One of the biggest new features that is now available for all Android users is Expressive Captions. This feature automatically captures the intensity and emotional tone of how someone is speaking, just from the volume, tone, and sounds rather than words. For example, these expressive captions may describe something as, "The whispering of a juicy secret, the cheers and applause of a big win, and the groaning after a dad joke." Expressive Captions will be available systemwide on all apps. Accessibility features are getting a boost as well with Gemini-enhanced audio image descriptions. Image Q&A in Lookout now uses Gemini 1.5 Pro to provide visually impaired users with richer, more helpful image descriptions than previous versions. You can also ask follow-up questions for image descriptions. There are some smaller updates, too. Google Gemini extensions for Spotify, Messaging, Calling, and Utilities are fully rolling out. Google has also updated its Gemini extension for Google Maps. Additionally, there's a new QR code option for Quick Share that should make it even easier to share files with friends. Other new features just for Pixels If you have a Google Pixel, you'll also get more features in this Google Pixel Drop update. If you have a Pixel 6 through a Pixel 9, here's what else you can expect. In addition to the Gemini extensions, as mentioned previously, Pixel devices will get Saved Info with Gemini. This feature gives users more personalized responses from Gemini thanks to the new saved info feature. Gemini can remember your interests and preferences to provide more helpful and relevant responses. Gemini Live is also expanding to more languages. These features are available on Pixel 6 and later. Call Screen utilizes Gemini Nano to screen incoming calls, and this Feature Drop update now adds more suggestions for contextual, easy-tap replies. There's also the ability to peek into the conversation between the caller and the AI agent when Call Screen kicks in, and you can answer or decline a call at any time. The Call Screen update is exclusive to the Pixel 9 lineup for now. With the Pixel 9 series, Google added the very useful Pixel Screenshots app. With this update, you can now use Circle to Search to look something up and then save that to Pixel Screenshots to refer back to later, making this perfectly timed for holiday shopping. Pixel Screenshots will automatically categorize your screenshots and provide helpful suggested actions. Screenshots of tickets, boarding passes, or credit cards will now automatically get added to Google Wallet, too. If you have a Pixel 6 or later, you can easily find their photos and videos to share on Snapchat. Rather than just having to scroll indefinitely, you now see all folders, favorites, and cloud photos with the Snapchat Photo Picker. Those with a Pixel 9 device can now capture and share Ultra HDR photos on Instagram. Google Pixel Fold and Pixel Fold 9 Pro Fold users also have some extras. Now you can use Dual Screen on the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in Portrait Mode, so every shot can be previewed before capture. Made You Look, which puts a fun animation on the outer screen to get the attention of little kids, is now expanding to the original Pixel Fold. And Joy from Disney and Pixar's Inside Out is now available on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Other updates include: Pixel Studio stickers are now available on Gboard. The Clear Voice mode is now available for Pixel Recorder. Simple View is a new mode that increases font size and touch sensitivity for easier navigation. Pixel Watch and Fitbit Pixel Watch and Fitbit users are also getting some nice additions with this massive Feature Drop. The Pixel Watch 3's Live View feature, which lets you see a live view from your Nest Cam, is now available for the Pixel Watch 2. The Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection is also now available in Germany and Portugal. Runners will also appreciate the expansion of Cardio Load and Target Load, which were previously exclusive to the Pixel Watch 3. It's now expanded to all Pixel Watches, Fitbit Sense 1/2, Fitbit Versa 2/3/4, Fitbit Charge 5/6, Fitbit Inspire 2/3, and Fitbit Luxe. The rest of the Pixel portfolio Finally, we have tablets. Pixel Tablet users can now use Google's free built-in VPN. Previously, this was only on Pixel phones. With Google's VPN service, you can encrypt and secure your data connection for web browsing, private messages and photos, health information, banking details, location data, and more. Another new feature on Pixel Tablets is lock screen widgets. Just swipe right from the lock screen to access your Pixel Tablet widgets. This is great for controlling smart home devices, timers, music, and more. Lastly, Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection, both features you don't necessarily want to use, have been expanded to Germany. Fall Detection is now available on all generations of Pixel Watch, and Car Crash Detection is on all Pixel Phones and Pixel Watch 2/3 in Germany.

These AI features could make Pixel devices irresistible

Android's latest update brings a series of enhancements for Pixel devices, including the introduction of Expressive Captions, AI improvements in the Lookout app, and new Gemini Assistant functionalities. The rollout commenced on December 5, 2024, impacting Pixel phones, Pixel Tablets, and Pixel Watches. Most notable enhancements cater to Pixel 9 users while older Pixel models also receive some key updates. The December Feature Drop introduces significant features for Pixel 9 devices. Contextual reply suggestions for Call Screen utilize Gemini Nano to deliver tailored responses during incoming calls. Users can now select appropriate responses as the caller speaks, enhancing the screening experience. Furthermore, Clear Voice Mode is now available in the Pixel Recorder app, allowing the application to isolate spoken voices while minimizing background noise, improving audio clarity. Older Pixel phones are getting a surprising new upgrade In addition to the Call Screen and Recorder updates, the Pixel 9's Screenshots app benefits from several enhancements. Users can save highlighted segments from Circle to Search directly in their Screenshots, creating a visual search history. Gboard now provides text suggestions based on saved content in Screenshots, streamlining searches across apps. For Instagram users, the update enables the capture of Ultra HDR photos directly within the app -- another exclusive feature for Pixel 9 devices. Android's update focuses heavily on accessibility features. The introduction of Expressive Captions allows users to see descriptive phrases alongside video captions, providing context for non-spoken audio cues like [gasp] or [applause]. This upgrade applies throughout the system and social media platforms. The Lookout app, developed for users with low vision, receives a boost from the Gemini 1.5 model, enhancing its capabilities with better photo descriptions. These advancements continue Google's effort to improve accessibility through AI, as showcased during their I/O event earlier in the year. Additionally, Pixel devices will gain a new Simple View option to increase font size and touch sensitivity, catering to users with limited dexterity or vision. The Identity Check feature will also roll out, requiring additional authentication when device settings are accessed in unfamiliar locations. Older Pixel phones are getting a surprising new upgrade The Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet also benefit from this update. Pixel Watch users will see the Cardio Load feature, previously limited to the Pixel Watch 3, extended to earlier models and various Fitbit devices. Google is also expanding live streaming capabilities from Nest cameras, now available on the Pixel Watch 2. For the Pixel Tablet, the long-anticipated lock screen widgets make their debut, allowing users to access certain functionalities directly from the lock screen, a feature previously tested in the Android 15 QPR beta. Users can also experience the VPN service on their Tablets, which has been active since last month.

Google announces several new AI features for Android and Pixel phones -- here's what's coming

Get ready for a more robust Gemini, as the latest feature drop from Google includes several new AI features. Google says the changes will bring bring more intelligence, helpfulness, and intuitiveness to users on Android, with a special focus on the company's lineup of Pixel phones. The first major change brings a host of new Gemini extensions for different apps and services for Gemini on Android. These include the ability to ask Gemini to call personal contacts while also being able to draft and send messages. Gemini can also control device settings and your camera if you want. The idea here is to help to make Gemini and even better assistant while minimizing how often you'll have to swap between apps. Google is also introducing "expressive captions" to Android phones where AI will automatically capture the emotions in any video. These captions will be built directly into Android's operating system and can be used in live and social content. Finally, Image Q&A in Lookout will now use Gemini to provide more accurate image descriptions, making it a much better service overall. Google Pixel owners will also get a couple of extra features for their phones on top of these upgrades. A new saved info feature allows you to have Gemini remember your interests and preferences so that responses are more relevant, reflecting the things you care about. It's an attempt by Google to personalize the Gemini experience on Pixel phones. As part of the new feature drop, Goole Pixel phones can also use Gemini to offer more contextual easy-to-tap replies for you in the Call Screen feature, which lets you easily respond to unknown callers without having to actually answer the phone. You'll also be able to "peek" into a transcript of the conversation between the AI and the caller to see if you want to answer the call. There are also some changes coming to Pixel Screenshot, including being able to use the app during Circle to Search with a tap, making it much easier to find search results later. Google Pixel owners can also add tickets and credit cards that they've screenshotted to their Google Wallet. Google is also making it easier than ever to find specific screenshots, as they will now be automatically categorized, making it easier than ever to find your screenshots using keywords. These changes are all aimed at improving the overall user experience. While they might not be the most visually outstanding changes, their inclusion will be felt on the best Android phones. The December Pixel feature drop, as well as the Android features, will begin rolling out today (December 5).

Google is rolling out new AI features for Android phones, plus some that are just for Pixel

Gemini on Pixel phones will now remember more information about you and your interests Google has released a number of new AI features for most Android phones, plus a couple that work only on its Pixel range of devices. Some of the new features work in Google Gemini, Google's AI app, but most of them work throughout the whole Android operating system, which means there will be some big changes for Android users. Let's break it down. First up are Expressive Captions, which are a way of bringing more emotions into the rather dull and lifeless world of subtitles and captions. Google introduced Live Captions to Android back in 2019, so if anything plays audio on your phone, it also has captions. They work much the same way that automatic subtitles do on YouTube videos - your phone generates them live, based on what it interprets the person is saying. Live Captions, however, remain rather lifeless. With Expressive Captions, Google is utilizing the power of AI to help you get more of the context of what's happening. You'll see comments in square brackets like [whispers] and [cheers and applause] appearing amongst captions, giving you a better understanding of the feelings and emotions being conveyed. Intense vocalizations will be written in [ALL CAPS], while vocalizations like [sighing], [grunting] and [gasping] will also appear. Ambient background sounds will also be tagged. Because Live Captions are part of the operating system you'll now get Expressive Captions with most things you watch, so look out for them. Google Lookout is an assisted-vision app that's available on Android devices via the Play Store. It uses AI to help people with low levels of vision, or sight loss, explore the world around them using their phone's camera. You can use it for reading out text, scanning food labels, currency identification, and even scanning your surroundings to identify things like doors and windows and find out how far away they are. Now Gemini AI is part of the Lookout app, which means it has much richer, more helpful descriptions. If you take a photo in the app you'll now hear its description read aloud in a natural-sounding voice, and you can ask Loopout follow-up questions about it. The more extensions that Google Gemini has, the more apps it can bring its AI magic to. Now Gemini has a new Spotify extension, which means you can play your favorite songs or discover playlists from within Gemini. Gemini will now also connect to your phone and messages app, meaning you can call contacts and send messages from within Gemini. Google says that "soon" you'll be able to use Gemini to control your smart home devices. Finally, Gemini will now also connect to Maps, which means you'll get more information about places. Also in the December update you'll find new pizza-theme sticker combos that you can share with friends using Emoji Kitchen in Gboard, Google's keyboard app. You can also use QR codes in Quick Share, which makes it easy to share pictures, videos and documents without having to add people as contacts or verify devices. Now you just generate a QR code for people to scan. Documents you scan using your phone will also now be improved, with better contrast and white balance. If you've got a Google Pixel phone then you get some extra features in the December Android update. There are a lot of small updates to things like the camera and security settings, but the most important feature is Gemini Saved Info. This means you can ask Gemini to remember more about you, what you're interested in, and what you like, so that it can tailor its responses to more of what you'll be interested in. Pixel users will also get some updates to the Pixel-exclusive app, Pixel Screenshots. Pixel Screenshots uses Gemini to analyze and recall the information embedded in your screenshots. Now you can use Pixel Screenshots to save things when you're using Circle to Search with just one tap.

Google's latest free update is a Christmas present to Pixel owners | Stuff

This holiday season, Google is spreading cheer with its December Pixel Drop, delivering a sleigh-load of new features to Pixel phones, tablets, and watches. The December Pixel Drop and accompanying Android updates begin rolling out today, with the updates aiming to make your Pixel devices smarter, safer, and more fun to use. From AI enhancements to creative tools and security features, this update is like unwrapping a stocking full of unexpected surprises. Regular updates like these are what make the Pixel stand out as one of the best smartphones on the market today. So let's dive right in and explore all the new features coming to your Pixel phone this December. The AI-powered Gemini Assistant is now more helpful than ever. A new saved info feature allows you to customise Gemini's responses by remembering your preferences. For instance, if you're a vegetarian, Gemini can suggest recipes tailored to your diet without repeated reminders. Gemini's integration with third-party apps also expands, enabling tasks like calling personal contacts, sending messages, and even setting alarms or opening the camera for selfies. This will hopefully resolve the awkward overlap between Gemini and Google Assistant. The addition of a Spotify extension lets you control playlists or discover music, while forthcoming updates will allow Gemini to manage smart home devices and provide enhanced place information via Google Maps. These updates are complemented by broader language availability for Gemini Live, ensuring a seamless experience for more users worldwide. Photography gets a holiday glow-up with features like Dual Screen, letting Pixel Fold users preview portraits on both screens for the perfect shot. Made You Look brings fun animations -- including Joy from Inside Out for Pixel Fold users -- to grab attention when snapping pics. This will be particularly useful when trying to get a picture of children. Your Instagram feed is also getting an upgrade, with the ability to share Ultra HDR photos, retaining their dynamic range and detail, while Snapchat users can sort through albums and favourites more easily with the upgraded Photo Picker. It's not just about the Pixel phone. Pixel Watch 2 users can now view live Nest Doorbell or Cam footage directly on their watch, responding to visitors with ease. Now Pixel Watch 3 users in Germany and Portugal gain access to Loss of Pulse Detection, a first-of-its-kind feature that identifies cardiac emergencies and contacts help. Car Crash Detection is also rolling out to Pixel phones and Watches in Germany. On the tablet side, the Pixel Tablet gains quick access to widgets from the lock screen, enabling faster control of smart home devices, timers, and music. A new Identity Check feature adds extra security, requiring face or fingerprint authentication to adjust sensitive settings when you're in a new location. Finally, Pixel Screenshots is also getting smarter, auto-categorising images and offering suggestions like creating calendar invites or adding tickets to Google Wallet. Android users are also in for a treat with updates designed to make life easier. One standout addition is Expressive Captions, which take accessibility to new heights. These captions don't just display spoken words - they capture tone, volume, and background sounds, giving you a fuller sense of what's happening. Accessibility also gets a boost with Lookout, which now uses the advanced Gemini 1.5 Pro model to provide richer image descriptions for people in blind and low-vision communities. Creativity flourishes with updates to Emoji Kitchen in Gboard, letting you remix emoji into fun sticker combinations, and Gboard's new Clearflow glide typing also makes it faster and easier to type. Sharing is simpler than ever with Quick Share's new QR code feature, and scanning documents in Google Drive has been upgraded to deliver crisper, clearer results.

Google Pixel December Feature Drop: Here's Everything That's New

The December Feature Drop for Google Pixel devices is a significant update that brings a wide array of enhancements and new features to Pixel phones, tablets, and watches. This release showcases Google's dedication to leveraging AI-powered tools, improving accessibility, and delivering device-specific upgrades to ensure that Pixel devices remain at the forefront of innovation and user-friendliness. Whether you own a Pixel 9, a Pixel Tablet, or a Pixel Watch, this update offers a range of exciting new features to explore and enjoy. One of the key highlights of the December Feature Drop is the introduction of smarter screenshot management. With this update, your Pixel device now offers contextual autofill suggestions in Gboard, allowing you to quickly use information captured in screenshots without the need for manual input. Additionally, screenshots are automatically sorted into categories such as music, places, and products, making it easier to navigate and find specific images in your library. The integration with Google Wallet further enhances the screenshot experience by allowing you to save boarding passes and tickets directly from screenshots, streamlining your travel preparations and reducing the need for physical documents. Exclusive Features for Pixel 9 Series For users of the Pixel 9 series, the December Feature Drop brings several exclusive upgrades that further enhance the device's capabilities. The Recorder app now includes a clear voice toggle, which effectively reduces background noise and ensures sharper, more focused audio recordings. Ultra HDR support for Instagram photos is another notable addition, allowing users to capture and share more vibrant and detailed images on the popular social media platform. Moreover, the introduction of Gemini Nano AI powers smarter call screening with contextual replies, providing more relevant and helpful responses during incoming calls. Gboard also receives an update with the inclusion of stickers from Pixel Studio, offering users new ways to personalize their messages and express themselves creatively. Enhancements for Pixel Fold and Older Pixel Devices Pixel Fold users can now take advantage of a dual-screen preview for portrait mode in the camera app, allowing them to see how their photos will appear on both screens simultaneously. This feature ensures that users can compose and capture the perfect shot, optimizing the unique form factor of the Pixel Fold. Additionally, the "Made You Look" feature, which enhances photo quality, is now available for the first-generation Pixel Fold, ensuring that even older devices can benefit from the latest advancements in image processing. The December Feature Drop also brings improvements to Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 onward, focusing on usability and accessibility. Live transcription for call screening is now available in the U.S., providing real-time text for incoming calls and making it easier for users to follow along and respond appropriately. The new Simple View mode simplifies navigation by offering larger fonts and increased touch sensitivity, making devices more accessible and user-friendly for individuals with varying needs. The Now Playing history feature has also been upgraded with album art and Google search integration, allowing users to easily revisit and learn more about the songs they've identified using the feature. Other notable updates include: Gemini AI and Pixel Watch Enhancements The Gemini AI platform continues to evolve and expand its capabilities with the December Feature Drop. It now offers new features for apps like Messages, Phone, and Spotify, remembering user preferences and details to deliver a more personalized experience. The expansion of language support and the introduction of upcoming features, such as smart home device control, further demonstrate Google's commitment to integrating AI seamlessly into users' daily routines. Pixel Watch users will also benefit from significant upgrades in this release. The Nest Cam live view feature allows users to monitor their homes directly from their watch, providing added convenience and peace of mind. Health tracking capabilities have been improved with the addition of fall detection and cardio load stats, empowering users to better monitor and manage their well-being. Furthermore, pulse detection has been expanded to Germany and Portugal, ensuring that more users can access these critical safety features. Pixel Tablet Updates and QPR Beta Features Pixel Tablet users can now enjoy lock screen widgets, supporting up to six widgets for quick access to frequently used apps and tools. This feature enhances the tablet experience by providing users with more customization options and streamlining their interactions with the device. Additionally, a desktop windowing mode for multitasking is now available via developer options, making it easier for users to manage multiple apps simultaneously and boost productivity. The December Feature Drop also incorporates several features from the QPR beta builds into the stable release. The redesigned settings page now includes a persistent search bar and improved organization, making it faster and more intuitive for users to find the settings they need. New indicators for casting, recording, and sharing activities have been added to enhance privacy and transparency, ensuring that users are always aware of when their device is actively engaged in these functions. Minor UI updates, such as refreshed icons and smoother animations, contribute to a more polished and visually appealing user experience. Summary The December Feature Drop for Google Pixel devices is a testament to Google's ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility, and user-centric design. With a wide range of AI-driven tools, device-specific enhancements, and thoughtful improvements, this update ensures that Pixel phones, tablets, and watches remain powerful, intuitive, and enjoyable to use. As Google continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with mobile technology, Pixel users can look forward to a future filled with even more exciting features and advancements.

Google's December Pixel Drop Introduces AI Enhancements for Screenshots

The December drop will also use AI to enhance captions and launch the first wave of Gemini Extensions. It wouldn't be the end of the year without one final significant Pixel feature drop to close us out. Pixel 9 users are particularly in for a treat as they'll be the first smartphones to get the new Pixel Screenshots upgrades, which include the ability to save material directly from Circle to Search and a more robust search of your screenshots. The Pixel Screenshots app was announced during the initial Pixel 9 phone launch, and though you can try it now, it feels like a feature in progress. Today marks its official rollout. The app will offer all kinds of functionality. Any time you take a screenshot, the app extracts what it considers the most essential "entities" of the image. If there's an address, it will point it out to you. If a product is mentioned, it will link it for you. And if there is a QR code present that grants you entrance somewhere, the Screenshots app will file it away to Google Wallet. Did you know that people take screenshots of concert tickets in this day and age? I discovered that in my briefing with Google about the Pixel Screenshots rolling out now. Is no one downloading PDFs of their tickets to ensure entrance into an event? I thought you still had to do that to prove validity. This week, I discovered that you are allowed to enter a venue with only a copy of a copy of a QR code. This new way to interact with screenshots is what Google calls an evolution of how users have been hoarding screenshots all this time. I'm just a weird outlier stuck in the past because I still use Android's native Share sheet to send images and data to an exterior app. Pixel Screenshots will also work with Circle to Search. If you find something you deem worthy of referencing later, you can save it directly from the same screen you captured with the ability. The Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro Fold aren't the only ones getting new abilities. Pixel 6 and newer devices will get Gemini's Spotify extension, which lets you interact with the third-party app via Gemini for things like bringing up playlists. Expressive Captions are also rolling out, and they use AI to suggest the vibe of the environment you're watching on screen. You can expect it to crop up during live sports or while scrolling through social media. For a full rundown of what's new for the Pixel, Google has it for you in blog form.

Latest Android Feature Drop Upgrades Speech to Text, Images to Words, More

Google's latest assortment of Android updates, rolling out now, share one common thread: elevating ways to communicate beyond the onscreen keyboards on our phones. Google's announcement leads off with Expressive Captions, an update to the captioning features first shipped in Android 10 to capture more of people's non-verbal nuances. "You'll see things like the [whispering] of a juicy secret, the [cheers and applause] of a big win and the [groaning] after a dad joke," Google explains. It does not specify how this feature would handle somebody swearing at their computer in a fit of nerd rage, so we'll have to research that ourselves. In a similar vein, Google's Gemini AI platform will lend more of a hand to Lookout, the image-description app the company launched in 2019, by providing "even richer, more helpful image descriptions" that Lookout will read aloud in a synthesized voice. Item three in Google's post highlights a new batch of pizza-themed emoji combinations available in Android's Emoji Kitchen in what looks a bit like a blatant play for the pizza snobs in PCMag's New York offices. But there's also vague news of an upgrade to the gesture-typing option in Google's Gboard app: a "new glide typing keyboard Clearflow, optimized for speed and accuracy." Quick Share, Google's rough answer to Apple's AirDrop, will gain a media-sharing shortcut in the form of QR codes you can invoke from Android's share menu: Select the picture, video, or other file you want to offer, choose the code, and have the recipient scan that to kick off the Quick Share process without having to fuss with adding that person to your contacts or either of you changing any sharing defaults. If you use your phone's camera to capture documents and upload the results to Google Drive, that cloud storage service will now pitch in with automatic image edits to "improve contrast and white balance, and remove shadows and blurring." Finally, apps can invoke Gemini's help by developing extensions that call on that AI assistance. Google cites one just shipped for Spotify that can help put together playlists for a particular mood-perhaps, if you've just finished swearing at your computer in a fit of nerd rage? December Pixel Drop Google's Android news Thursday also includes a separate Pixel Drop of bonus features for the company's own line of Android mobile devices. Coming less than two months after the previous Pixel Drop, this one seems thin in comparison. Many of the features Google touts, such as Expressive Captions and Gemini expressions, also show up in today's announcement. As with the broader set of Android features, these are rolling out to supported devices starting Thursday. But people with Pixel 9 series phones are in line to get some more AI assistance with automatic replies in the phone app's Call Screen mode, automatic categorization of screenshots that includes a shortcut to save screengrabs of things found via Circle to Search, and another shortcut to turn screenshots of tickets, passes and credit cards into Google Wallet items. Pixel Watch users, meanwhile, will be able to get a live look at video from a Nest Doorbell or Cam by tapping on a notification of somebody outside from either camera. Google is also expanding its "Loss of Pulse Detection" Pixel Watch 3 feature, already available in most European countries, to Germany and Portugal; German Pixel Watch users will also get Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection activated. This Pixel Drop wraps up with two other additions to Google's largest Pixel device, the Pixel Tablet: support for Google's VPN service and lockscreen widgets.

December Pixel Feature Drop Lands With 20+ Changes and Features

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google has released the December Pixel update and as expected it is the December Pixel Feature Drop. We knew this was coming because we have been testing this build of Android for months now as Android 15 QPR1, which is a big quarterly update that typically addresses numerous bugs and also happens to be a time for Google to give us new features to play with. For the December Pixel Feature Drop, Google is pushing out at least 25 or so changes that touch on the Pixel 6 up through the new Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro series. Like many Feature Drops, this one introduces new features while expanding older features to additional devices. There's a ton to cover here, so let's dive in and see what's new for your Pixel phone. The update with much of this will begin rolling out as early as today, December 5. For a good chunk of Android phones, as well as the Pixel 6+, Google has created something called Expressive Captions. Now, when you utilize captions on your phone for any video content, those captions cap share intensity and emotion for how someone is speaking. Think of notes of [groaning] or [cheers] or a [gasp] or [whispering] as you follow the captions of a video. This is for the Pixel 6+, plus other Android devices. Gemini gets access to more apps, including Spotify and Messages Google is expanding the number of apps that its Gemini AI can access and utilize. Spotify users can take advantage of a new extension that lets Gemini play favorite songs/podcasts and discover playlists for your mood. Gemini will also now be able to call personal contacts or businesses, draft and send messages, set alarms, control some device settings, and open your camera. This is for the Pixel 6+, plus other Android devices. Call Screen For Call Screen, Gemini Nano has new suggested replies on the Pixel 9 series, with things like suggestions for responses to a delivery person. You will be able to answer yes or no to questions or even ask follow-up questions through Call Screen. In addition, Automatic Call Screening will start to show you the conversation that AI is having with callers, so that you can jump in or decline at any time. (Gemini Nano suggestions on Pixel 9 series, Automatic Call Screening on Pixel 6+) Recorder gets "Clear Voice" mode Thanks to a new Clear Voice Mode in the Recorder app from Google, you can reduce noise and distractions automatically as you record audio. This mode will put the focus on speakers and attempt to reduce background noise. For now, this is only available on the Pixel 9 series of phones. The Pixel Screenshots app, which is on the Pixel 9 series, is getting a handful of new updates that I'm guessing Google hopes to get users to actually use the app. As a heavy Pixel 9 user, some of this at least has my attention after not having opened the app in months. Pixel Studio invades Gboard with suggestions Speaking of Gboard, any stickers you created in Pixel Studio will soon be found within Gboard as an option to share in conversations, like messages or on social media. This is a Pixel 9 feature for now. Ultra HDR photos in Instagram, Photo Picker in Snapchat Ever wanted to share Ultra HDR photos in Instagram? You can do that now with a Pixel 9 series as a part of this Feature Drop. Oh, for Snapchat users, you'll be able to find photos and videos through the Photo Picker now instead of scrolling through photo albums. This should be available to the Pixel 6+. Dual Screen in Portrait Mode on 9 Pro Fold The Dual Screen feature on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that showed you live previews through its various screens as you took photos is expanding support to Portrait Mode. This will also start working on the original Pixel Fold with this latest update. Simple View Google plans to introduce something called Simple View in this latest Pixel update. While the details are somewhat thin at the moment, they explain it as "a new way to navigate your smartphone," and that it does things like increase your font size and touch sensitivity, which should make controls, apps, and widgets all easier to see and use. We'll see what else we can find out about it. This is on the Pixel 6+. Quick Share Google's Quick Share feature is getting changes to make sharing pictures, videos and other files an easier process. Now, you can share through a QR code that others can scan to receive. This should still create a secure transfer and you don't even need people to be a contact. This is for all Android devices, including the Pixel 6+. Now Playing Pixel's Now Playing feature will now show album art for each song that it discovers and adds to your Now Playing history. Nice! This is for the Pixel 6+. A new Identity Check, which is a part of Google's new Theft Protection suite, will ask you for your face or fingerprint authentication before changing sensitive settings when you are in a new location. Obviously, the thought here is that your phone was stolen or you were forcefully moved and you may want you device to remain secure. This is on the Pixel 6+. Emoji Kitchen update The Emoji Kitchen within Gboard is getting an updated navigation to make it easier to find all of those silly emoji mashups you try and create. This is on all Pixel devices. The Pixel Tablet is a part of this feature drop and there are two noteworthy changes to be aware of. Pixel Watch! And finally, the Pixel Watch is a part of this drop, although almost everything there is to talk about is just an expansion of Pixel Watch 3 features to new countries or to older Pixel Watch devices. Need the visual on what was announced and which devices are getting each thing? Here you go. And that, friends, is everything new in the December Pixel Feature Drop. That's a heck of a list, right?

Google's December Pixel Drop Revolutionizes Pixels -- Here's Why It's a Game-Changer

For Pixel 9 Pro Fold users, dual-screen functionality now previews every shot in portrait mode, while new stickers from Disney and Pixar's "Inside Out" add fun to your edits. Gemini AI now gets the most significant update making it smarter and more intuitive. Customers of Gemini Advanced can modify their answers according to saved data, which can be best viewed, edited or deleted. Gemini now functions in more Android applications and services; these include calling and texting, setting an alarm and adjusting the settings of one's device. Additionally, it integrates with smart home devices, offering control over lights, ACs, TVs and more. Gemini Live also transmits 10 Indic languages together with Hindi and English, increasing its audience.

December Android Feature Drop Brings the Goods

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. Google detailed its Android-wide Feature Drop for the month of December this morning, chock-full of new goodies that the majority of Android users should be able to play with. The big three additions are new Gemini extensions, expressive captions, and Gemini in Lookout. For Gemini extensions, Google is opening up the service to your phone's Utilities, Spotify, Messaging, Calling, and also added updates for Maps. As Google detailed in its blog post this morning, "With the new Spotify extension, you can play your favorite songs and discover playlists for any mood. You can also call contacts and send messages with your default phone and messaging apps, set alarms and control device settings and your camera." Expressive captions look sweet, using AI to capture the "intensity of emotion of words and sounds in captions." For example, if you're watching a sport with the captions enabled, you'll get a better sense for how things are best said, complete with readable "gasps" and "cheers and applause." Google says that thanks to Expressive Captions being built into the Android system, it can be used in live and social content. Gemini in Lookout: Image Q&A in Google's Lookout app now uses Gemini 1.5 Pro to provide more accurate and detailed image descriptions. Users simply take, upload, or open a photo in the app to hear the caption read aloud in a natural-sounding voice. Users can then gain a, "deeper understanding of the image by asking follow-up questions, now available globally." Quick Share QR Codes: This new feature aims to make it fast and easy to transfer any sort of media from one person to the next. You'll select what you want to share, tap the QR code, and then have the other person scan the code to begin the transfer. You won't need to verify a device, add them as a contact, or change any sharing settings. Fast and simple sharing, just how we like it. Google Drive Auto Enhancements: Google Drive will begin to auto enhance your scanned documents, removing shadows and blurring, as well as improving contrast and white balance. The idea is, the user won't have to manually edit anything once the document is scanned. You'll simply snap a photo, with the end result being a gorgeous and usable document. Emoji Kitchen Update: If you're a fan of combining emoji, Google has added a few more fun combos for you to discover. If you happen to know someone who loves pizza, maybe you should check out what happens when you add a heart emoji with a pizza emoji? Fun stuff. These changes are rolling out now to Android users globally.

Android's latest round of AI features improve accessibility, file sharing and more

If you're a Pixel user, you can look forward to even more enhancements. If you're an Android user, today is your lucky day; Google has announced a swath of new AI features for the entire ecosystem. Broadly speaking, the features make Android devices more accessible, but there's something here for everyone. For instance, one of the new enhancements, Expressive Captions, automatically generates subtitles that attempt to capture the emotion and intensity of what's being said. So, let's say you're video chatting with a friend who groans after you make a lame dad joke. The feature will not only transcribe what they said, but it will also include "[groaning]" in the transcription. This works for other subtleties of human speech, too, such as when someone gasps or whispers something, and is compatible across Android, including streaming and social media apps. Per Google, Expressive Captions are available on Pixel 6 and newer Pixel phones, as well as "other compatible" Android devices. Separately, Google has enhanced Android's Image Q&A in Lookout feature. The latest version of the tool makes use of the company's Gemini 1.5 Pro model to provide more helpful image descriptions. Image Q&A is primarily designed to assist blind and low-vision users, but in reality, anyone can use the feature to get Android to describe a picture in a natural-sounding voice. Speaking of Gemini, Google is supercharging the AI agent with new extensions that provide better integration with some of the most popular Android apps. For instance, a new Spotify plugin allows Gemini to play your favorite songs for you and find playlists that suit your current mood. In the future, the company is promising tighter integration with Google Maps and even smart home devices that are linked to your Google account. Additionally, Gemini now features the capability to remember things about you so that it can provide more personalized responses. For example, you can tell Gemini you're a vegetarian, and the agent will remember that about you the next time you ask it to recommend a new dinner recipe. Google notes it has made it easy to view, edit and delete any personal information you've told Gemini to remember. Another more practical update comes in the form of a Google Drive feature called auto-enhancements. The next time you upload a scanned document to the service, it will automatically edit the image to optimize the contrast and adjust the white balance, as well as remove any shadows and blurring. And if you want to share a file with someone, Google has made that easier, too, with an improvement to Android's Quick Share functionality. There's a new feature that allows you to transfer pictures, videos and documents by displaying a QR code on your phone. Using this tool, you don't need to add the recipient as a contact or fiddle with your Quick Share settings. Lastly, if you're a Pixel user, you can look forward to all of the above features and more. Most notably, there are improvements to the Pixel Screenshots app. For one, now you can save things you find with Circle to Search directly to the software. Google suggests this feature will be handy for holiday gift ideas. Pixel Screenshots will now also automatically categorize your snaps for you and provide suggestions, such as calendar invites and directions, based on the information you saved. As with most Android updates, it can take some time for Google to roll out all the new features it announced today to every user, so be patient if you don't see them on your device right away.

Android's new feature bundle brings captions that actually show emotions

How to add custom notification sounds for each app on your Android phone Key Takeaways Google's December Android Feature Bundle focuses on AI, accessibility, and user convenience. Expressive Captions adds tone and environmental cues for live captions on Android 14 and above, while Google Drive now optimizes scanned documents with enhanced contrast and white balance. Google's Lookout - Assisted vision app is now powered by Gemini 1.5 Pro and users now have the option to use QR codes to share files via Quick Share. ✕ Remove Ads Google today announced a fresh batch of features arriving on some of the best Android smartphones as part of its December 2024 Feature Bundle, with a core focus on AI, accessibility, and user convenience. The bundle follows the September 2024 drop, which brought features like TalkBack image descriptions, song identification in Circle to Search, web page read-aloud playback on Chrome, the expansion of Earthquake Alerts, and more. Related Google's latest Android feature bundle brings offline maps to Wear OS and Earthquake Alerts to the entire US TalkBack also gets a vision upgrade Posts The highlight of the feature bundle comes as a solid upgrade to Android's Live Caption accessibility feature. Back in August, Google expanded Live Caption support to seven new languages -- namely Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Today, the tech giant is making these captions a lot more 'expressive.' ✕ Remove Ads Aptly named Expressive Captions, the new feature "will not only tell you what someone says, but how they say it." Not to be confused with Live Transcribe, the new feature essentially offers captions for sound coming from your device -- not the sound in your surroundings. Source: Google Google suggests that Expressive Captions are powered by "multiple AI models," and can communicate tone, volume, environmental cues, and even human noises. All Caps captions would reflect the intensity of speech, while sighing, grunting, gasping, and similar sounds will clearly be labeled. Further, "We'll label additional noises in the foreground and background, like applause and cheers, to give you a fuller picture of what's happening in the environment," wrote the tech giant. ✕ Remove Ads Expressive Captions are available across the US starting today on devices that support Live Captions on Android 14 and above. As part of the bundle, Google's Lookout - Assisted vision app is also receiving a major upgrade. Back in 2022, Google made it so that the app could function without an internet connection. The feature, which essentially uses AI to generate image descriptions for the content on your screen, alongside the ability to answer follow-up questions, is now supercharged with Gemini 1.5 Pro. This should result in more descriptive and richer image descriptions when compared to previous iterations. Source: Google Simply take, upload or open a photo in the app to hear the caption read aloud in a natural-sounding voice. You can then gain a deeper understanding of the image by asking follow-up questions, now available globally. ✕ Remove Ads Scan and share without hassle Source: Google Elsewhere, users now have an easier way to transfer pictures, videos and documents to and from their Android devices. As highlighted by Google, users now have the option to use QR codes in Quick Share, eliminating the need for contact additions or device verification. Hints about QR code functionality first started emerging with Google Play Services version 24.20.13, all the way back in May. The last major feature pertains to Google Drive enhancements. Forms, receipts, ID cards, or other documents that you scan via your device will now automatically be optimized with improved contrast and white balance, paired with the removal of shadows and blurred elements -- all without the need to manually edit anything. ✕ Remove Ads To use the new feature, make sure that you scan documents via the camera icon in the Google Drive app. Post-scanning, you should be able to apply enhancements to the document by tapping the "Enhance" button on the preview screen (the one with the Gemini logo). You then have the option to name the file and choose whether it's saved as a PDF or a JPEG. Source: Google Lastly, and this isn't really news-news -- Google today made several Gemini extensions, ones that we've seen rolling out in the past month, official. This includes the Spotify extension that began rolling out late in November, extensions for Phone, Messages, and Whatsapp that began rolling out yesterday, and the Utilities extension that rolled out earlier this week. The tech giant also highlighted that users will soon be able to use Gemini to control their smart home devices, suggesting that the Google Home extension might soon leave Public Preview. ✕ Remove Ads Related Google Home extension for Gemini rolling out widely in Public Preview Say goodbye to complex commands Posts1