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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
