Google's March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop: AI-Powered Upgrades and Enhanced Connectivity

Here are the 7 best Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 features landing in March's Pixel Feature Drop

Multimodal Gemini Live tools are coming to the Pixel 6 and newer phones The latest Pixel feature drop update for March and Android update are bringing some impressive new tools to your Google Pixel phone and Watch devices, including improved scam protection and US FDA-cleared Loss of Pulse Detection. Starting with the major new Pixel phone features, the headliner is AI-powered scam protection. Using on-device AI this tool will apparently alert you in real time if the person you're calling or text messaging is using language that's common among scammers, and everyone with a Google Pixel 6 or later can access the tool for texts in the UK, US and Canada; meanwhile Google Pixel 9 phones in the US can also use the call protection tool. Note, however (as Google itself warns), that scammers can mix up their tactics, and so the AI won't be 100% effective, so don't over-rely on this protection and drop your guard. Continuing with the safety trend, Google's Find My Device service is getting a new live location-sharing tool in-app, so you can easily update your friends and family on your whereabouts - either to let them know you got home safe, or to help coordinate a meetup. The app will also regularly remind you that you're sharing your location, and with who, so you can remember to turn it off when it's not needed. This feature isn't a Pixel-exclusive - it's coming to all Find my Device-compatible Android phones. Beyond safety, the Pixel drop also includes new creative tools. New text-to-image tools in Pixel studio will let you create stickers and images of people and scenes on the Google Pixel 9, and if you love to stream your activities on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms from your phone, there's a new multi-cam feature - using a Pixel 9 phone as the primary device you can sync with a Pixel 6 or later Google phone, or a GoPro Hero10 Black or newer camera, to stream with a multi-cam setup. Google Pixel Watch 3 users are also getting some nifty tools, starting with its Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which is launching in the US after being cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. This feature can detect when you experience a loss of pulse (perhaps due to cardiac arrest, circulatory failure, or an overdose or poisoning) and will contact emergency services, and it'll start rolling out to Watch 3 users at the end of the month. Pixel Watch 3 users can also now take advantage of new on-device menstrual tracking. This can help you monitor your period, and perhaps even predict when you might get your next one, all from your wrist. Finally, all Pixel Watch devices are now set to offer improved step tracking precision, as the devices are now supposedly better at detecting when your walking pattern deviates - being able to tell the difference between someone jogging, pushing a shopping cart, or hiking with poles. There are also a few more minor improvements coming to Google Pixel and Android devices, which you can check out in full on the official Google website, but the above features are the ones we're most excited to try out - scam protection seems especially useful, and I'm excited to see how well it works.

Pixel Drop March 2025: What's New and What's Next

The March 2025 Pixel Drop delivers a comprehensive set of updates designed to enhance the functionality, performance, and overall user experience of Pixel devices. With a focus on refined user interfaces, advanced AI tools, and expanded regional features, this release caters to a wide range of users, from casual smartphone owners to tech enthusiasts. Below is an in-depth look at the most significant updates and their practical benefits. This update introduces a variety of changes to the Android system and user interface, aimed at improving usability, aesthetics, and customization options: These updates aim to streamline interactions with your device, offering greater control, improved troubleshooting tools, and a more visually cohesive experience. Widgets and Quick Settings receive practical enhancements to improve convenience and usability: These upgrades make it easier to manage daily tasks and optimize your device for comfort and efficiency, whether you're working, relaxing, or on the go. Pixel devices continue to stand out with exclusive features powered by on-device AI, designed to enhance productivity, safety, and creativity: These features are tailored to streamline everyday tasks, improve safety measures, and provide tools for creative expression, making sure a well-rounded user experience. The Pixel Watch lineup benefits from targeted updates that enhance its health monitoring and usability: These updates make the Pixel Watch a more reliable and effective companion for users focused on health, wellness, and daily productivity. Pixel Fold users gain access to innovative features that enhance the device's versatility and multitasking capabilities: Although these features are not yet live, they highlight the potential for foldable devices to deliver unique and practical functionality. Google continues to expand the availability of Pixel features to new regions, making sure more users can benefit from its advanced tools: These regional expansions reflect Google's commitment to making its innovative features accessible to a broader audience, regardless of location. Performance optimization remains a key focus of this update, making sure a smoother and more responsive experience: These improvements ensure that Pixel devices continue to perform at their best, providing a reliable and efficient user experience. For advanced users and developers, the update introduces new tools and functionalities: These additions cater to users who require advanced capabilities, making Pixel devices more versatile for development and technical tasks. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on Pixel Drop March 2025.

Android 15's final Feature Drop brings upgrades for Gemini, Gboard, and more to your Pixel

Google brings better step counting to Pixel Watches with the March Feature Drop Summary Google's March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop brings a range of new features and improvements to several core applications on Pixel phones. The Pixel 9 series gets major upgrades, including the ability to connect to external cameras for live streaming and expanded satellite messaging capabilities for texting and emergency SOS. AI-powered features are a key focus, with updates to Gemini, the ability to generate human images in Pixel Studio, and a wider international rollout of some AI functionalities. Android 16 is slated to hit its Platform Stability milestone this month, so a stable version shouldn't be too far away. But the accelerated timeline for Google's next major update means we're getting one fewer Android 15-based Pixel Feature Drop -- the one due out in June will likely be Android 16 itself, something Google all but confirmed to Android Police this week. So today, with Google announcing the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, we're receiving what is likely the last major update to Android 15, at least for Pixel devices. This one brings improvements to several stock apps, like Pixel Screenshots, Gboard, Gemini, and Google's Recorder app -- and it comes alongside a new Android bundle that marks the rollout of several features previously spotted in development. Related Android's latest feature bundle brings location sharing via Find My Device Your phone's quarterly power-up is here Posts New 'Modes' for Do Not Disturb go official Easy manual control for DND settings After being spotted in development as Priority Modes, a new menu simply titled Modes is going live with today's update. Google already had a fairly robust system for automatically adjusting your Pixel's notification settings to match your environment, with "Schedules" that could kick off when you were sleeping, gaming, or had a calendar event, among others. And while that was great for setting and forgetting, it wasn't easy to manually adjust when needed. The new Modes feature uses many of the same principles seen in DND Schedules, but incorporates them into a Quick Settings tile for easy manual control. Options for these Modes can be accessed in the Notifications menu of your Settings app after the update. Source: Google Satellite messaging is now available for most people in the US And Satellite SOS expands internationally The entire Pixel 9 series comes with an emergency SOS feature that uses satellite connectivity to ensure you're almost never out of range of help when you need it. As networks like Starlink continue to expand, that same space-based connectivity is being used to enable texting with friends and family when you're outside of regular coverage areas. T-Mobile flipped the switch on satellite texting for Pixel 9 users in beta just over a month ago. Meanwhile, Verizon enabled a similar feature for Galaxy S25 users. Now, Google says the Pixel 9 series can use satellite connectivity to text with both emergency services and friends and family alike, as long as you're using T-Mobile or Verizon. AT&T is now the only holdout among the big three US carriers. Satellite texting is currently only available in English and Spanish, and Pixel 9 series users on Verizon should be aware that service might not work in some areas of Alaska. Elsewhere, emergency SOS functionality has now been enabled in Hawaii and Alaska, and outside the US in Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Google notes that emergency satellite service for Pixel 9 users in these areas will be provided at no charge for two years after the device was first activated. Related What is the Satellite SOS feature on Google Pixel? How to use Satellite SOS and the other safety features you should know about Posts 7 Connected cameras let you stream like a pro Turning your Pixels and GoPros into a portable television studio With today's update, Pixel 9 series users can connect their phones to external cameras and seamlessly switch between them while live streaming. The external cameras can either be another Pixel 9 phone or any GoPro starting with the Hero10 Black and newer. The feature uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect the cameras and integrate them together in certain apps. At launch, the list of supported apps is fairly robust, with Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube already on board. Close Gboard's updated voice toolbar is rolling out to all With a Gemini-inspired UI After it was spotted in development in January and then activated with hidden feature flags a few weeks ago, Google is making Gboard's new voice typing UI official with today's update. As you can see in the screenshots below, the new UI bears a strong resemblance to the updated Gemini overlay that rolled out alongside the Galaxy S25 series. This is one update that isn't Pixel-specific. All Android phones and foldables should soon start seeing the new UI in the coming days and weeks. Close Source: Android Authority Multimodal Gemini comes to all supported Pixels Plus live video and screen sharing for Advanced subscribers It wouldn't be a Pixel Feature Drop without AI improvements. Google is giving Gemini lots of love in this update, calling attention to the fact that its new 2.0 Flash model is now available to all -- no longer as an experiment -- and the fact that it enables you to speak with Gemini Live in "any combination of over 45 languages" without having to adjust any settings. Gemini's multimodal capabilities are also expanding beyond Google's latest devices, rolling out to all currently-supported Pixel phones and foldables, which include the Pixel 6 and newer. Today's update also brings Gemini Live's new video and screen-sharing integrations after their announcement at MWC, albeit only for people who pay for Gemini Advanced. Source: Google Pixel Recorder can now transcribe recordings from other phones And your Pixel Watch The Pixel Recorder app is super simple, but it's amazing at what it does -- particularly its transcription features. With today's update, Google's machine learning prowess can now be tapped for recordings you made on other devices -- just import an audio file from your old phone or Pixel Watch, then the app will generate a transcription as if you recorded it directly from your Pixel handset. Close Pixel Screenshots suggestions want to help you build Collections And the app finally comes to your work profile Even if left to its own devices, the Pixel Screenshots app is useful for searching through your past screengrabs -- but it gets even more handy as an organizational tool if you utilize the Collections feature to categorize screenshots by theme. To help with this, Google has added a Suggestions carousel to the top of the app's main menu and within relevant Collections. Close Today's update has also flipped the switch on Pixel Screenshots for your work profile, but this feature is currently only available in English, German, and Japanese to start. Another odd limitation is device availability: only the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL get this functionality for work profiles, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and older devices will apparently have to wait. Pixel Studio now works with humans Generate images and stickers with people in them The Pixel Studio app is still only available on the Pixel 9 series, but users with Google's latest devices will be happy to know that the tool can now generate images and stickers that feature humans. Google had been taking a cautious approach with AI-generated imagery involving people, but with this move and another spotted recently, it appears the company is ready to take the training wheels off after the fiasco it found itself in last year. Close First-gen Pixel Fold adds Dual Screen camera mode And the 9 Pro Fold gets Add Me for Dual Screen One of the side benefits of the book-style foldable form-factor is that both sides of the device have their own screens when the phone is unfolded. This can be used in clever ways, like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's Dual Screen camera mode, which lets the subject of your photos and videos see what's being recorded on the outer screen. With today's update, this feature is now coming to Google's first-gen Pixel Fold as well. Even as the Pixel Fold catches up with one Dual Screen function, the newer Pixel 9 Pro Fold pushes ahead again with this Feature Drop. The 2024 foldable now supports Add Me on the outer screen, making it easier to align the shots with and without the cameraperson. Close AI features expand internationally Germany and Japan are in for a few treats Google has a frustrating habit of approaching feature rollouts as if there were only two regions, the US and everywhere else. This split has been even more pronounced when it comes to AI features, whether that's for legal reasons, infrastructure limitations, or an inherent US-centric bias. Thankfully, today's update addresses some of this disparity. Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and the Pixel Weather app's AI reports are coming to Pixel phones in Japan and Germany. As an added bonus, the Pixel Weather app's Pollen widget is now available in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK -- for once, before the feature even makes its way to the US. Close Google's other updates bring even more features, starting today Scam Detection, location sharing in Find My Device, and more goodies for your Pixel Watch Today's Pixel update launches alongside an Android feature bundle -- something Google has been doing alongside the last few Feature Drops to shine a spotlight on new functionality coming to the ecosystem at large. One feature that spans both the Pixel and Android sides is the official rollout of Google's new scam protection safeguards. Related Google is going for scammers' jugulars with real-time fraud detection For messages and calls Posts One of these safeguards, coming to Pixels only, monitors phone calls for typical conversation patterns used by scammers and alerts the user accordingly. The other, which applies to all Android phones with the Google Messages app, does the same, but in text form for SMS, MMS, and RCS messages. Close There's a lot more to the Android bundle that's worth checking out, but back on the Pixel side of things, Google is giving its smartwatches a heaping helping of updates with today's Feature Drop. The lifesaving Loss of Pulse detection feature has gained FDA clearance ahead of a rollout at the end of this month, and new features like menstrual tracking, improved step counting, and better controls for audio playback have been added. Related Google brings better step counting to Pixel Watches with the March Feature Drop Plus Loss of Pulse Detection and new audio controls Posts

March 2025 Feature Drop: Connected Pixel 9 Camera, Satellite SOS expands, app updates

Alongside Android 15 QPR2, Google today announced the March 2025 Pixel (Feature) Drop with a slew of first-party app updates, as well as new camera and connectivity features. The OS and application updates are rolling out starting today. Google is confirming that the latest Gemini Live is powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash. There are improvements in understanding and multilingual conversations, including the ability to speak in any combination of 45+ languages without having to select in settings ahead of time. Meanwhile, the Pixel 6+ is rolling out the ability to Talk Live about images, files, and YouTube videos. Google also highlighted the upcoming Live camera and screen sharing capabilities powered by Project Astra. The Pixel 9 is getting a "Connected Camera" capability that allows you to connect a GoPro HERO10 Black and newer or Pixel 6 to livestream from different angles. You will get a floating vertical pill that lets you select the various paired cameras and add new devices, with support for social apps like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The connection is happening over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Pixel Fold series now supports Dual Screen mode in video mode to let who you're capturing see the recording on the external display. Meanwhile, Dual Screen mode on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now supports Add Me for easier alignment. Satellite SOS is expanding to Hawaii and Alaska in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe on the Pixel 9 series. Service is free for two years, with users able to contact emergency services when there's no cellular connection. Meanwhile, those on T-Mobile and Verizon can access carrier satellite messaging. Supporting 911 and texting other people, this is available on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. On the first-party apps front, Pixel Studio on the Pixel 9 series can now generate images of people. This follows Gemini rolling out Imagen 3 people generation to the free tier. Meanwhile, Pixel Screenshots will automatically suggest items for your Collections. You can approve screenshots in the new "Suggestions" carousel with a checkmark or delete it. Google is now making the app available in your Work Profile on the Pixel 9 series in English, Japanese, and German. With the March 2025 Feature Drop, Pixel 9 series users in Japan can now access Pixel Screenshots, Studio, and Recorder's AI summaries. In Pixel Weather, they're getting AI weather reports and the pollen tracker card. Similarly, German owners are getting Pixel Screenshots, Studio, and AI Weather reports. Meanwhile, the Phone by Google app is getting real-time Scam Detection to detect suspicious patterns commonly used by bad actors. Your phone vibrates and makes other sounds to get you to check the "Likely scam" warning. With the March Feature Drop, it's launching for the Pixel 9 series in the US and powered by on-device Gemini Nano with Multimodality. Similarly, Google Messages Scam Detection will show a card directly in the conversation if "common scams" are detected. You can quickly "Report & block" or mark "Not a scam." This is launching first in English in the US, UK, and Canada

Google's March Pixel Drop adds AI-powered scam detection and live location sharing with friends | TechCrunch

Google on Tuesday announced new software updates for the Pixel phones as part of its "Pixel Drop" program for March. Pixel Watches and all Android devices are also receiving some new features with this release. The most notable parts of the update include using AI to detect scams in messages and calls, better categorization in the screenshot app, menstrual tracking on the Pixel Watch 3, and the ability to share your live location with friends through the Find My Devices app. Google is launching a scam detection feature for calls using the company's Gemini Nano model for all English-speaking Pixel 9 series users in the U.S. The feature is in beta for now. The company ran a limited beta using two different models -- Gemini Nano on Pixel 9 devices, and on-device machine learning for Pixel 6 and newer users. After the test, the company determined that using Gemini Nano was the best way to go. The company said that it processes conversations on your device and its processing is ephemeral in nature. At any point in the conversation, it can warn users of a potential scam. In other news, with the March update, Google is adding support for adding multiple external cameras to the Pixel 9 series. For instance, you can add a GoPro or other Pixel phone cameras to help you stream on platforms through various angles. The company is also adding the ability to generate images of people through text prompts in the Pixel Studio app with support for English, Japanese, and German. Until now, the app didn't support human image generation. Meanwhile, the screenshot app is getting an update where it will automatically suggest screenshots to be added to collections based on the content. Plus, the app is available for your work profile for Pixel 9 devices. With the latest update, Pixel Fold users can use the dual screen feature to see what is being recorded using the outer screen. Plus, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's outer screen gets the "Add Me" feature that uses AI to place the person who is taking the photo in a group photo. Google is also adding satellite messaging support for Pixel 9 users who are Verizon or T-Mobile customers. The company is expanding availability of the satellite messaging feature to users in Canada, EMEA, Hawaii, and Alaska. Another feature will allow all people using Pixel 6 and newer, Pixel watches, and Pixel tablets to transfer their recording from other devices and transcribe them using the recorder app. Google is updating Gemini Live's multimodal capabilities for Pixel 6 and newer devices, as well as Pixel Fold devices. This means users can add images, files, and YouTube videos while using Gemini Live and ask questions to the AI assistant. The company is also rolling out a way to have multilingual conversations with Gemini Live without manually switching languages. This feature currently supports over 45 languages. Earlier this week, at the Mobile World Congress, Google announced that the company will introduce video and screen sharing support for Gemini Live within a few weeks. If you own an Android device that isn't a Pixel phone, you'll get some new features. Google is focusing on scam detection with the latest update. The company is using AI to detect patterns when someone is messaging you. Users will receive a real-time warning if the system detects a potential scam message. The company is also adding new features to the Find My Devices App that allows you to send your current location to your friends and family, and receive their live location there as well. Google is also adding a new voice toolbar to Gboard to make dictation easier. When you use your phone through Android Auto, you will be able to play Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing when your car is parked. The company is adding a shopping insights feature for Chrome on Android that lets you view a product's price history, track price drops, and compare prices across different sites. Google has received clearance from the U.S. FDA for its loss-of-pulse feature for the Pixel Watch 3. This feature automatically contacts emergency services when the person wearing the watch is unresponsive in cases of cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose or poisoning. If you have a Pixel Watch 3, you'll be able to turn on on-device menstrual tracking for logging or day-to-day notifications. The Pixel Watch 2 is getting auto bedtime support, which detects when you are sleeping The company is adding better step tracking to all Pixel Watches to more accurately track events like pushing a shopping cart or wheelchair, jogging with a stroller or hiking with poles. Finally, there are new audio controls on Pixel Watches for common interactions like fast-forward, rewind, adjusting playback speed, or controlling the queue.

March Pixel Feature Drop Adds at Least 12 Big New Features to Your...

We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods. More info. The March Pixel Feature Drop is here! Google is releasing the March Pixel update today as both the big quarterly update that should take care of bugs and introduce subtle changes in Android, but it's also a feature drop that brings in tons of new features. If you own a Pixel device, from the Pixel 6 up through the new Pixel 9 series, you have new stuff on the way that you'll soon be enjoying. For this latest March Pixel Feature Drop, Google is adding anywhere from 10 to 15 new features across Pixel devices, plus they are expanding a bunch of AI features to new countries, satellite messaging to more carriers, and more. If you recall, the December drop was a big one, but this is also a large update for Google's devices. Here's everything new! Gemini Live video and screen sharing: We talked about this one yesterday, so just to recap, Google is bringing video and screen sharing to Gemini Live later this month. That means you'll be able to fire up Gemini Live and then share your screen with it to carry on your conversation and get more info, or you could use your camera and point at objects in the wild to further that AI conversation. AI-powered scam protection in calls and texts: Google is using AI to try and help you avoid being scammed and they are doing that with scam detection in both calls and texts. AI analyzes conversations on-device in real-time to try and catch a scammer saying something that you should be warned about. Your phone then pops-up messages to let you know that AI believes you could be within a scam attempt and you may need to take action. They first started testing their AI-powered scam detection in calls back in November and are now doing the same in Google Messages. If a scam is detected, you'll be given actionable items that can block and report those on the other end. In calls, you'll see "Not a scam" and "End call" buttons, depending on the situation. For calls, this is now available to the Pixel 9 in the US. For Messages, you'll find this in the Pixel 6 and up (as well as in most Android phones). More info. Pixel Fold adds video recording to Dual Screen: The Dual Screen feature from Google's foldables is adding video capabilities on the older Pixel Fold with this update. Pixel 9 Pro Fold adds Add Me to Dual Screen: For the 9 Pro Fold, Google has included its Add Me trick to Dual Screen, so now it should be easier than ever to take those shots and then add yourself into them. GoPro camera streaming with Pixel 9: We'll try to update this as we have more, but Google has worked out an integration with GoPro to let you stream with multiple cameras through your Pixel 9. You can see this in the image below-left, with Google announcing that through select social media apps, you can use this multi-camera feature to have more professional-looking shots with fun angles. Auto transcribe of audio files transferred to your phone in Recorder: Google is opening up the Recorder app to be more useful if you bring over recordings from another device. Now, on the Pixel 6+, you can bring in recordings and the Recorder app will attempt to automatically transcribe them for you. How cool is that? Pixel Studio lets you create images of people now: This one could get interesting - Google is finally adding the ability for you to use Pixel Studio to create images with people in them. There should be guardrails in place, but you all know the world is about to test that. Styles like "video game" or "3D cartoon" are there, so have some fun, in safe and proper ways. Find My Device adds people tracking: This is a part of the March Android feature drop, but yes, Pixel phones will also be able to track people and share their own location in the Find My Device app. It'll receive an update with a new "People" tab in beta that lets you share, set time limits, and more. Satellite messaging on Verizon, T-Mobile: On the Pixel 9 series, Google says that users can now connect to satellite messaging services from both Verizon and T-Mobile and text friends, family, and anyone else. We'll see if we can find out more info, like pricing. Pixel Screenshots suggestions for collections: Pixel Screenshots is an odd app, but it's seeing an improvement by attempting to automatically suggest screenshots be added to your specific collections. Hopefully, this helps organize your life without much work. I guess I'll give it a try for the first time in 5 months. Pixel Screenshots works with work profiles: Pixel Screenshots can now work with your work profile, which is actually a pretty big deal. I could see someone wanting to keep track of stuff as a part of their work account, but that was a previous limitation. Talk to type in Gboard gets new Voice Toolbar: Gboard is getting a new Voice Toolbar that is supposed to help you dictate to type. This is coming to all Android and Pixel phones. Modes are here in place of DND: We initially thought this was an Android 16 feature, but instead Modes are now here with this quarterly March release. Modes are an expansion of Do Not Disturb in a way, as Modes can include setting Bedtime, Driving, or Relax "modes" depending on your current situation. You can also create your own. Again, it's like DND, only with more controls and because DND doesn't exactly capture all situations. There you have it! That's all that is new in the March Pixel Feature Drop. We'll continue to update this post as Google gives us even more details and more info, including rollout timing and/or device specifics.

Google's March Pixel Drop just arrived with 10 serious upgrades - here's what's new

Google is rolling out its March 2025 Pixel feature drop, bringing some serious upgrades to the entire Pixel family. Among all the new features in this month's drop, 10 stand out. For example, your Pixel phone is gaining a new way to protect you, and your Pixel Watch is receiving a never-before-seen feature. Here's what's new. Also: This $100 Android phone reminded me of my Pixel 9 Pro in the best way First up: In addition to listening in on your calls for words associated with scams, your phone now monitors your text messages. With AI-powered Scam Detection on-device, Google says Messages will now flag text patterns commonly associated with scams and alert you about suspicious conversations. While the phone call version of this feature is only available on the Pixel 9, the text message version is available on the Pixel 6 and newer. Find My Device now lets you share your location with trusted contacts. With the same app you use to find a lost device, your friends can now see your live location on a map, no matter which device they're using. This is coming to all Android devices. Pixel Watch 3 users are getting a first-of-its-kind, life-saving feature in the form of loss of pulse detection. If your watch detects that you've lost your pulse, it can automatically place a call to emergency services. This will start rolling out at the end of this month. If you use the Pixel 9's Pixel Studio, which lets you generate AI images from text prompts, you'll soon be able to generate images of people. Just describe the person or scene you want, Google says, like "3D cartoon" or "video game," and Pixel Studio will work its magic. You can now connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or another Pixel phone camera and stream from different angles for more professional-looking and immersive videos (Pixel 9 series). Verizon and T-Mobile users can connect to emergency services or text message friends and family with their Pixel phone if they don't have a cellular connection (Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold). It automatically detects when you fall asleep, turns off your watch face, and disables notifications to minimize distractions. This means you'll save battery life and get your full sleep tracking data. The Pixel Fold now supports dual-screen video recording, letting you use the outer screen to see what's being recorded, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now supports Add Me, a feature that gets everyone in a group shot. Pixel Watch 3 now has on-device menstrual tracking that lets you log periods, view cycle status, or predict your next period from your wrist. Your Pixel Watch now tracks your steps with greater precision and accuracy, Google says, by recognizing when you deviate from a typical walking pattern, for example, pushing a shopping cart or jogging with a stroller.

Google's March Pixel Drop is here with a ton of Android upgrades

It's time for Google's newest Pixel Drop update, which will deliver a batch of enhancements to the company's smartphones. Pixel Drops, which arrive quarterly, refine and expand the features on Pixel phones. This probably won't come as a surprise, but AI plays a big role in the changes rolling out to Pixels this time around. There are also some new connectivity and photography options. A long-overdue update is coming to Google's Pixel Studio app, which is preinstalled on the Pixel 9 series. The app lets you generate AI images, but person generation was not available at launch because of well-documented problems with the Imagen 3 model's penchant for diversity. Google re-enabled person generation on the web about six months ago, but Pixel Studio is just now gaining this ability. Google's AI will also begin butting in if it suspects a caller or message is attempting to scam you. Google says this feature (previously available as a limited beta) is not foolproof, as scammers often change up their tactics. However, it may help catch some of the less sophisticated scams that regularly ensnare your less technologically literate family and friends. This feature will be available in Google Messages with the Pixel 6 and later, but the phone call scam detection will require a Pixel 9 because it uses on-device AI features that only exist on Google's latest phones. That makes it a little less creepy. Google also says that some of its preexisting AI features will come to new markets with this update. Both Germany and Japan will receive the Pixel Screenshots app, AI weather insights, and the Pixel Studio app just in time for person generation. Japan also gets the AI summarization features in Google's Recorder app. As for the non-AI features, satellite messaging will expand in the new Pixel Drop. The Pixel 9 series is among a handful of phones that have satellite connectivity. When you're outside of cellular coverage, Pixel phones can connect to compatible satellite networks to get emergency help. This feature was previously only live in the continental US, but now it's coming to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Support for carrier satellite features is also expanding. At launch, Pixels only used Google's own satellite SOS system, which is being provided free for the first two years. The new Pixel Drop will add Verizon and T-Mobile as supported carriers for satellite messaging. The Pixel 9 family will also get a nifty new video recording trick. After installing the Pixel Drop update, you'll be able to connect a Pixel to another Pixel or a GoPro camera to record video from two different angles simultaneously. Google says this will make mobile recordings look more professional and expand shooting options. However, if using a GoPro, it only works with the 2021 GoPro HERO10 Black or newer, and app support is limited to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Something for everyone Even if you don't have a Pixel phone, Google has a few goodies waiting for you. These features are coming to all currently supported Android phones, including Pixels. The AI scam-detection feature from Pixel phones will be available to all Android devices in a more limited form. If someone is trying to scam you over text in the Google Messages app, the AI will be able to (potentially) recognize that and warn you, just like on a Pixel 6 through 8. However, only Pixel 9 phones have the phone call scam alerts. Google has supported myriad ways to share your location with others on Android over the years, but there's a new one coming. Google's recently revamped Find My Device platform will gain an option to share device locations with your contacts. This provides the same real-time location information you'd see in your app, but you can set a timeout or revoke access at any time. If you have Android Auto in your car, killing time in parking lots is about to get easier. Google says a new raft of games will soon be available on your car's display, building on the simple GameSnacks from a previous update. The selections include but are not limited to Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing. That's a lot of mindless free-to-play schlock, but how much depth do you really want in your in-car time-killers? Just make sure the games are installed on your phone and they'll be available on the car screen. The new Android Auto games will thankfully only be accessible when your vehicle is stationary. Lastly, all Android users will see a new Chrome shopping tool appear as early as today (it may even have shown up early for some). The price-tracking icon next to the address bar is getting an upgrade -- look for the new "Price is low" version of that button to get started. Tapping that will let you opt in to price drop notifications, which are not new. This pop-over now includes a handy historical price graph similar to what you'd get with a service like CamelCamelCamel. Unlike the Pixel Drop features, you won't be seeing an OS update to enable these additions. Some features, like the Chrome price tracker, are server-side changes. Others, like AI scam detection, will arrive silently via Play Services. Google tells us the updates will begin rolling out today, but they could take a bit to reach all phones.

Latest Android Feature Drop Includes Scam Message Detection, Find My Device Updates, and Loss of Pulse Detection

Quick Links AI-Powered Scam Detection Live Location Sharing in Find My Device More Fun with Android Auto Smart Shopping Tools in Chrome Pixel Feature Drop Pixel Watch Google has announced the latest Android features and Pixel Feature Drop. From scam detection in Messages to new and improved live location sharing, some goodies are coming to an Android device near you. AI-Powered Scam Detection As you would expect, Google gives AI the top billing in the list of features, and I might agree this time. AI-powered scam detection is coming to Google Messages. This tool uses AI to identify suspicious text patterns that might indicate a scam. You'll receive real-time warnings for messages that seem harmless at first but could turn dangerous. The scam detection happens locally on your device, so your conversations remain confidential. This could be huge for the non-tech savvy who aren't as good at identifying scams. Live Location Sharing in Find My Device For a long time, Android's primary method for live location tracking has been through Google Maps. Unlike the iPhone, there hasn't been a native Android option. Now, within the Find My Device app, you can share your real-time location with trusted contacts and see their locations as well. This can be helpful for coordinating meetups, ensuring a family member gets home safe, or simply having peace of mind. You have full control over who sees your location and for how long, with regular reminders about your sharing settings. More Fun with Android Auto The latest Android Auto update brings more gaming apps to your car's display so you can stay entertained while parked. Enjoy a puzzle or a quick race with popular games like Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing. Simply download the game to your phone, and it will be accessible through Android Auto when you're parked. Smart Shopping Tools in Chrome Chrome on Android will soon offer more shopping insights and helpful tools to help you find the best deals. You can check a product's price history, track price drops (not new), and compare prices across different websites. Look for the "Price is Low" notification in your Chrome address bar to start saving. There are plenty of third-party tools that offer these abilities, but they can be harder to manage on a phone. Having it built-in to Chrome is convenient. Pixel Feature Drop Over on Pixel phones, there are a few exclusive features that will be rolling out in addition to everything outlined above. You can now connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or other Pixel phone camera and use social media apps to stream from different angles for more professional-looking and immersive videos. Google is also expanding its Satellite SOS feature to more countries. If you're somewhere without cellular or Wi-Fi, Pixel can connect to emergency services via satellite to get help. Verizon and T-Mobile users will also be able to use satellite messaging when they don't have cellular or Wi-Fi. Pixel Screenshots will now automatically suggest screenshots to be added to your collections so that you can find them faster and easier. Dual Screen on Google Pixel Fold now supports video recording, so you can use the outer screen to see what's being recorded. And on Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Dual Screen now supports Add Me, making it easy to get everyone in the shot. The Pixel Screenshots app is now available for Google work profiles. Gboard is getting a new Voice Toolbar that'll help you dictate to type. You can now speak to Gemini Live in any combination of over 45 languages without having to change your language settings. Pixel Watch Google has received clearance from the FDA for its Loss of Pulse Detection feature starting with the Pixel Watch 3. This feature can detect when you've experienced a loss of pulse and automatically prompt a call to emergency services for potentially life-saving care if you're unresponsive. The Pixel Watch 3 has added on-device menstrual tracking so you can conveniently log periods, view cycle status, or predict your next period from your wrist. The Pixel Watch now tracks your steps with greater precision and accuracy by better recognizing when you deviate from a typical walking pattern, like pushing a shopping cart or wheelchair, jogging with a stroller, or hiking with poles. Auto Bedtime Mode is now expanding to the Pixel Watch 2 to automatically detect when you fall asleep, turn off your watch face, and disable notifications to minimize distractions. You can now manage your audio content with new actions on the Pixel Watch to fast forward and rewind, adjust playback speed, or control the playback queue. Pixel devices can now transfer audio recordings from previous phones or your Pixel Watch and automatically transcribe them and save them to the Recorder app. The Pixel Feature Drop is available to all currently supported Pixel phones, tablets, and watches starting today, March 4th. The more general Android updates will be rolling out to apps and devices in the following weeks. Source: Google (1, 2)

Pixel Drop for March Brings New Features to Gemini Live and More Apps

Pixel users can now use Find My Device network to share live location Google on Tuesday rolled out the March Pixel Drop for compatible Pixel devices. As per the company, it is the first Pixel Drop of the year which introduces several new features. Gemini Live, the conversational artificial intelligence (AI) tool can now be spoken to in a combination of 45 languages. Further, there's a new Suggestions feature in the Pixel Screenshots app, which as the name suggests, provides users with recommendations about the screenshots which they can add to their collection. The quarterly update also includes additions to Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports, Pixel Recorder, and Satellite SOS. In a blog post, Google highlighted the new features arriving exclusively on Pixel devices as part of the March Pixel Drop. The company says Gemini Live gets enhanced conversation capabilities with expanded language support, enabling users to converse in a combination of over 45 languages without fidgeting with the settings. The conversational AI tool's multimodal capabilities, which was introduced with the Pixel 9 series, is expanding to Pixel 6 and newer and Pixel Fold devices with the update. Users will be able to add images, files and YouTube videos to enhance search. And in the coming weeks, Google will also roll out the ability to have conversations with Gemini Live via live video or screen sharing, leveraging Gemini Advanced. In addition to suggestions, the Pixel Screenshots app is said to get support for work profiles. Meanwhile, users will be able to create unique images of people to share with their friends and family using simple text-based descriptions in Pixel Studio. Another new feature is Connected Cameras. As per Google, it lets Pixel users connect their phones to another camera, be it a GoPro or another Pixel device. All of their cameras can then be used to stream on social media platforms from different angles. With the March Pixel Drop, Google will expand the availability of Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports and Pollen tracker in the Weather app to Japan and Germany. Japanese speakers can now also access AI-powered summaries in the Recorder app. Another key addition with the quarterly update is Scam Detection in Messages on Pixel. The feature leverages on-device AI to analyse conversational text patterns, identify and flag those associated with scams, and provide users with a warning in real-time. Further, the company is also expanding Satellite SOS to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe and Canada, enabling users to contact emergency services in dire situations where cellular or Wi-Fi networks are unavailable. Google says Pixel users can now use Find My Device network to share their live location with their family and friends for keeping a track of them when on the move. Meanwhile, the Dual Screen Preview feature on the Pixel Fold supports video recording too. As per the company, Pixel 9 Pro Fold users can now take advantage of Add Me with Dual Screen Preview features. Google's Loss of Pulse Detection feature, introduced with the Pixel Watch 3, is said to have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in the US and thus, will be rolling out to users beginning at the end of this month. The company says this feature can detect the lack of a pulse due to various factors such as pulmonary cardiac arrest, respiratory or circulatory failure, overdose or poisoning, and automatically contact emergency services on the wearer's behalf. Meanwhile, the update also adds on-device menstrual tracking to Pixel Watch 3. The smartwatch is also said to benefit from more precise step tracking which can detect when a user deviates from their typical walking pattern. Further, the Auto-bedtime Mode, launched with Pixel Watch 3, is now expanding to Pixel Watch 2.

Google Pixel phones just got 10 major upgrades for free - older models included

Google has begun rolling out its March 2025 Pixel feature drop, bringing some serious upgrades to the entire Pixel family. Among all the new features in this month's drop, 10 stand out. For example, your Pixel phone is gaining a new way to protect you, and your Pixel Watch is receiving a never-before-seen feature. Here's what's new. First up: In addition to listening in on your calls for words associated with scams, your phone now monitors your text messages. With AI-powered Scam Detection on-device, Google says Messages will now flag text patterns commonly associated with scams and alert you about suspicious conversations. While the phone call version of this feature is only available on the Pixel 9, the text message version is available on the Pixel 6 and newer. Find My Device now lets you share your location with trusted contacts. With the same app you use to find a lost device, your friends can now see your live location on a map, no matter which device they use. This is coming to all Android devices. Pixel Watch 3 users are getting a first-of-its-kind, life-saving feature in the form of loss of pulse detection. If your watch detects that you've lost your pulse, it can automatically place a call to emergency services. This will start rolling out at the end of this month. If you use the Pixel 9's Pixel Studio, which lets you generate AI images from text prompts, you'll soon be able to generate images of people. Just describe the person or scene you want, Google says, like "3D cartoon" or "video game," and Pixel Studio will work its magic. You can now connect your Pixel phone with a GoPro or another Pixel phone camera and stream from different angles for more professional-looking and immersive videos (Pixel 9 series). Verizon and T-Mobile users can connect to emergency services or text message friends and family with their Pixel phone if they don't have a cellular connection (Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold). It automatically detects when you fall asleep, turns off your watch face, and disables notifications to minimize distractions. This means you'll save battery life and get your full sleep tracking data. The Pixel Fold now supports dual-screen video recording, letting you use the outer screen to see what's being recorded, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now supports Add Me, a feature that gets everyone in a group shot. Pixel Watch 3 now has on-device menstrual tracking that lets you log periods, view cycle status, or predict your next period from your wrist. Your Pixel Watch now tracks your steps with greater precision and accuracy, Google says, by recognizing when you deviate from a typical walking pattern, for example, pushing a shopping cart or jogging with a stroller.

Google Pixel Feature Drop: Scam protection, Live location sharing, Gemini Live updates and more

Google on Tuesday introduced four new Android features to keep users connected and simplify daily life. Alongside these updates, the March Pixel Drop rolls out fresh tools for Pixel devices, enhancing functionality and safety. Scam Protection with Real-Time Alerts Google Messages now uses on-device AI to detect scam-like text patterns, issuing real-time warnings to block and report suspicious chats. For Pixel users, Scam Detection for phone calls, powered by Gemini Nano, spots shady call patterns while keeping conversations private. Google also announced the expansion of Satellite SOS to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Canada, ensuring emergency service access without cellular or Wi-Fi. Live Location Sharing With Find My Device, users can share their live location with trusted contacts. View friends or family on a map -- regardless of their device -- with full control over who sees it and for how long, plus regular sharing reminders. While parked, Android Auto users can access additional gaming apps on their car's screen. Download a game to your phone and enjoy puzzles or racing titles during downtime. Chrome on Android now provides price tracking, history checks, and cross-site comparisons. A "Price is low" alert in the address bar helps users secure better deals. The March Pixel Drop and new Android features begin rolling out today and will continue over the next few weeks.

Google's March Pixel Drop Brings Scam Detection and Improved AI Features

One of the best parts about using a Pixel smartphone is the quarterly Pixel drop updates, that bring some exclusive new features and enhancements for your Pixel smartphone. With March underway, Google is now rolling out the first Pixel drop for 2025. It brings some much-needed AI improvements while expanding some features to older devices. Let's check out what they have in store for us. While this update brings a ton of new additions to Pixel smartphone, tablet, and Watch, there is a lot to look out for if you are a Pixel 9 series owner. Here are all the features included in this March 2025 Pixel Drop. We first saw Modes make a debut with the Android 16 Developer Preview updates. In a weird turn of events, Google has started pushing out this feature to all supported Pixel devices in Android 15. Modes offers finer controls compared to Do Not Disturb, and you can create personalized Modes depending on the scenario and assign a related icon to it. Thus, you can create modes during bedtime, work, while gaming, or one for weekends. These modes are also accessible from the quick settings panel and the settings app. Since Android 15 Developer Preview 1, we have been waiting for Notification cooldown to come to a stable release. The feature made a return with Android 16, and it is finally here for all devices. Notification Cooldown silences continuous alerts received in a short amount of time, thus, reducing the annoyance of incoming notifications. To fight scammers and other malicious actors, Google is deploying AI into the battlefield with this update. Now the Google Phone app will listen to suspicious language and words that may hint towards a scam, and alert you for the same. The support for scam detection on call is exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, but Pixel 6 and newer devices will have the feature on the Messages app. If you are a live streamer living the Pixel life, then Google has a cool new feature for you. They are adding multi-camera support, letting you connect your phone with another Pixel or a GoPro to create your very own multiple-camera setup for live streams. This feature will be available in popular social media services including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and more. The Pixel Screenshot app gets some new changes, as the app will automatically suggest you to add certain screenshots to your collection. Another big change for people like me, who need to take a ton of screen captures for articles, the Pixel Screenshot app is finally available for Work profiles. So I don't have to switch profiles to use this feature. When we last took a look at the Pixel Studio app, one of our biggest gripes was its inability to create people. The Pixel Studio app would downright refuse to do it. But finally, Google decided to let us generate images of people with the help of AI, making the Studio app even more fun and useful. You can also turn the images into stickers if you want. With Android 15, Google introduced support for Satellite messaging for emergencies. This lets you connect directly to a satellite to contact 911 when you can't get a phone signal. This feature was previously limited but is now being expanded across the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. They are also adding support for carrier satellite messaging on Verizon and T-Mobile for Pixel 9 devices. The Pixel Recorder app previously added the ability to transcribe your voice recordings. But now Google is making the feature more useful, as it can now create a transcription of your older recordings too. So if you ever wanted a way to transcribe your voice recordings from the past year or two, then there you have it. This feature is available on Pixel 6 devices and above. Pixel 9 Pro Fold was one of the best foldables we saw last year in comparison to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. However, it lacked some features, like the ability to video record and show the preview on both inner and cover displays. Fortunately, this feature is now added to the device, along with the Add Me. So now you can see how the photo would turn out when using Add Me on your Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Not all Pixel-exclusive features are available in all regions at launch. This was the case with Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Recorder AI summaries, Pixel Studio, and AI weather summaries which are finally making their way to Japan and Germany so they can enjoy the AI prowess of these new additions on their Pixel devices. The Pixel Watch 3 has received a new loss of pulse detection feature which has been approved by the FDA. So it can tell when your heart stops beating so you can get the immediate care that you need. The Watch 3 will now also be able to track and predict your menstrual cycle, which will be great for female owners of the watch. The Watch 3 isn't the only one getting all the love, all Pixel Watch models are also getting improved step measurements when walking for more accurate results.

Google's latest Pixel Drop focuses on AI-powered scam detection and organization tools

In a nutshell: Despite lukewarm consumer interest in generative AI, Google continues to promote the technology as the main selling point of its new Pixel 9 phones. The company focused its latest Pixel Drop update almost entirely on new AI-powered functionality that aims to help users stay organized and avoid scams. Several significant new features are now available for users with recent Google Pixel phones. Their usefulness will depend largely on how much users trust generative AI with their information. One of the highlights of the March 2025 Pixel Drop is real-time scam protection. The feature analyzes calls and chats for signs of persuasive tactics associated with scammers and immediately warns users. The company claims it can catch scammers who initially appear trustworthy but become threatening over time. Scam protection is currently only available in English, and Google hasn't specified plans to expand it to other languages. Furthermore, it only uses Google's latest Nano AI model on Pixel 9 phones, defaulting to machine learning models on Pixel 6 or later if users enroll in the company's beta program. Additionally, the small print in Google's announcement notes that scam detection isn't 100 percent accurate and the company expects scammers to change tactics constantly. Although Google assures users that scam detection will keep conversations private while analyzing them in real time, the company doesn't specify how this is achieved. To toggle the feature, navigate to Settings > Scam Detection in the Phone app. The recent Pixel Drop also introduces and expands common GenAI features like organization and summarization. A new "suggestions" function in Pixel Screenshots helps users sort pictures into collections, and the Screenshots app can automatically categorize receipts or other work documents. Compatible devices can also automatically transcribe recordings transferred from older phones or Pixel Watches. Furthermore, Pixel Studio, AI weather reports, and the pollen tracker are now available in Japanese and German. Japanese users also receive AI summaries, but whether they are more accurate than Apple Intelligence remains unclear. Gemini Live's new multimodal capabilities, previously exclusive to Pixel 9 phones, are now available on Pixel 6 and later and on Pixel Fold. At Mobile World Congress this week, Google unveiled an update that enables the AI model to analyze objects seen through the camera in real time. With the 2.0 Flash update, Gemini can understand multilingual conversations in over 45 languages. Other new features include external camera connections, sharing Find My Device locations with friends, Loss of Pulse detection for Pixel Watch 3, and more.

Our favorite Pixel feature just got a massive AI upgrade

Google has launched its latest Pixel Feature Drop, introducing new functionalities primarily for the Pixel 9 series but also for earlier models starting from Pixel 6. The update includes enhancements to Pixel Studio, Google Messages, and location sharing capabilities. With the March update, Pixel Studio can now generate images of people using text-to-image prompts, a significant expansion from its previous focus on animals and items. This feature will be available on Pixel 9 devices as the rollout begins. Users can describe a person or scene and Pixel Studio will generate a corresponding image. It is yet unclear if it functions similarly to Apple's Image Playground, which requires a photo selection from the user's camera roll to generate likenesses. Google Messages is integrating AI to identify scam text messages. This follows the existing feature that warns users about suspicious phone calls. Users will receive notifications regarding potentially fraudulent texts that imitate legitimate communication. For location sharing, Google has moved the option to the Find My Device app, enabling users to see their devices and share their live locations with trusted contacts. This feature is applicable for devices from the Pixel 6 and newer models, aiming to simplify the process compared to existing location sharing methods. As part of the feature drop, a selection of games, including Candy Crush Soda Saga and Angry Birds 2, is now available for Android Auto for users parked and using the vehicle's touchscreen. However, these games cannot be played while the vehicle is in drive mode. Pixel 9 series users on Verizon can now utilize satellite messaging for connecting with emergency services when cellular or Wi-Fi services are unavailable. This service has also expanded into additional regions, including Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska. Additional updates include improvements to Gemini Live, which now supports conversational interactions in over 45 languages without changing language settings. The multimodal capabilities, which allow adding images and files during conversations, are rolling out to all Pixel 6 and newer devices, as well as Pixel Fold models. The organization of screenshots has been enhanced with a new suggestion feature to help users manage their collections, and the ability to use Pixel Screenshots with work profiles has been added. Google is also expanding the Satellite SOS feature, allowing Verizon users to text family and friends or connect to emergency services even without cellular coverage. New functionalities have also been introduced for the Pixel Watch 3, including the Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which has received U.S. FDA clearance, tracking menstrual health, and enhanced step tracking algorithms for improved precision. Auto-bedtime Mode will now also be available on Pixel Watch 2, automating the turning off of notifications during sleep hours. The Pixel Drop also brings improved streaming capabilities with Connected Cameras, allowing users to integrate multiple devices for social media streaming. Other productivity features include audio recording transcription for older recordings and easier access to voice typing using Gboard's new Voice Toolbar.

Everything New in Google's March 2025 Pixel Drop

AI-powered scam detection, additional camera connections, and new health and safety features. The first Pixel Drop of 2025 is here -- quarterly upgrades coming to Google's phones, tablets, and watches include improvements to Gemini Live and other AI-powered functionality (like scam detection for calls and texts), health and safety features, and camera and connectivity updates. As with the December Pixel Drop, much of what's new for Pixel this month is powered by Google Gemini. Gemini Live is getting smarter with the ability to automatically switch between 45 languages in conversation without having to change your language settings. Multimodal capabilities for adding images, files, and YouTube videos to conversations are expanding to Pixel 6 (and newer) as well as Pixel Fold devices, and live video and screen sharing are coming to Gemini Advanced. If you have a Pixel 9 phone with Gemini Nano, you'll soon get real-time Scam Detection that alerts you to malicious calls. The on-device, AI-powered feature identifies conversation patterns typical of scammers and gives you an on-screen prompt to end the call. Scam Detection is also available in Google Messages for anyone with a Pixel 6 or newer located in the U.S., Canada, or the UK. If the AI suspects a scam text message, you'll see a warning to report and block the number. Also in the AI category: Pixel Screenshots is getting a new suggestions feature and integration with work profiles, while Pixel Studio will be able to generate images of people based on a description of the person or scene. While many Pixel features remain limited to users in the U.S., Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, Pixel AI weather reports, and Pollen tracker in the Weather app are being rolled out for those in Germany and Japan. Recorder App AI summaries will also be available in Japanese (on Pixel 9 only) as well as in English. New health features for Pixel Watch Pixel Watch 3 wearers in the U.S. will soon have access to Loss of Pulse Detection. This feature detects if the wearer's heart stops beating, and then calls emergency services with an automated message if you remain unresponsive (your device must have a cell connection). The feature was recently cleared by the FDA and is expected to roll out toward the end of the month. Pixel Watch 3 is also getting on-device menstrual tracking and more accurate step counting for atypical walking patterns, such as pushing a cart or hiking with poles. Finally, Auto-bedtime Mode, which turns off your watch face and disables notifications when you fall asleep (and back on when you wake up), is expanding to Pixel Watch 2. Improved connectivity Google is releasing several safety-oriented connectivity features, including a Find My Device beta that shares your live location with family and friends. Satellite SOS -- which lets you contact emergency services even if you don't have a cell or wifi connection -- is expanding to Pixel 9 users in Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, and Canada, and satellite texting is now available for U.S.-based Verizon and T-Mobile customers. Camera and video upgrades A new feature called Connected Cameras lets you link your Pixel 9 to another Pixel phone (6 or newer) or GoPro camera (HERO10 Black or newer) to stream video from multiple angles directly to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Dual Screen Preview on Pixel Fold is adding support for video recording as well as Add Me for those on Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Additional accessibility and quality-of-life upgrades Pixel's speech-to-text Recorder app is getting another update: The app will now automatically transcribe audio recordings, such as lectures, transferred from an older device or Pixel Watch to your current phone. And Gboard has a new Voice Toolbar so you can easily access voice-to-type without opening the full keyboard. A new Modes menu is coming to the Quick Settings panel, allowing you to switch between modes for driving, bedtime, do not disturb, and other customizations simply by swiping down. Finally, new actions for audio coming to Pixel Watch include fast forward, rewind, and the ability to adjust playback speed and control the playback queue. How to get new Pixel Drop features on your device To check if these updates are available on your Pixel phone or tablet, go to Settings > System > Software updates.