Google adds new features for Pixel along with Android 15 rollout | TechCrunch

Google is rolling out Android 15 today to Pixel devices. It is also adding new features through the October Pixel drop, including improved low-light photography on Instagram and support for underwater photography and video.

Android 15 updates

Android 15 has a private space feature that lets you hide and lock apps behind a separate PIN or biometric lock — much like iOS 18’s hide and lock app feature.

The new software update also has new theft protection measures, such as requiring additional authentication if someone tries to remove your SIM or turn off Find My Device. Plus, after multiple failed tries to change sensitive settings by guessing your password or PIN, the system will lock down the device.

Android 15 also brings features like a taskbar with the ability to pin apps and app pairs for split screen for foldable and tablets. It also adds support for single tap login for saved passkeys and satellite messaging when there is no network or Wi-Fi connection.

October Pixel Drop

The October Pixel drop brings improvements for low-light photography directly on Instagram for all Pixel devices starting from Pixel 6 (excluding Pixel A series).

Google added an Audio Magic Eraser feature to the Pixel 8 series — it gives users the ability to turn down the volume of certain sounds. The new Pixel drop allows them to turn the volume of different sources up and down. Plus, users can also turn the volume of various people in the video up and down.

The company is also rolling out theft protection measures for Pixel 6 and newer devices that include automatically locking your phone when someone tries to snatch it away from you. Google said it uses AI to detect this motion when someone snatches the phone and runs, bikes, or drives away.

Additionally, the company is bringing features like theft detection locks to all devices running Android 10 and above.

All Pixel devices from Pixel 6 and newer gets widget recommendations; the new updated Pixel weather app; pollen data tracking in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK; call screening in the UK and Japan; Gemini Live support for audio AI conversations in France, Germany, Brazil, India, Spain and Latin America; and easier access to the Astrophotography mode with a slide button in the Night Sight mode.

With the October Pixel Drop, Pixel 9 series owners can use a waterproof case to capture videos and photos underwater while snorkeling or swimming. The company said it is making updates to the camera app to represent better colors while shooting underwater. The Pixel 9 also gets support for Gemini Extension for Pixel screenshots, so you can call on Gemini to find something from your library of screenshots.

Ecosystem updates

Google is rolling out the ability to talk to Gemini without taking out your phone if you have the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series, and the original Pixel Buds.

The company is adding screensavers with home controls, screensavers with clocks, and the ability to share, favorite, or archive photos from the photo frame screensaver on the Pixel tablet. In the coming weeks, it will also roll out the ability to transfer media — such as a Spotify track or a YouTube video — seamlessly to a Pixel tablet from the Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 7 Pro, the Pixel Fold, the Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Additionally, Google is bringing emoji email reactions and an updated contact app with easier access to favorite contact to all Pixel watches.