December Pixel Feature Drop: Gemini Call Screen replies, Simple View, Identity Check, more

Google is rolling out the December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop alongside Android 15 QPR1 today, and it’s a rather sizable update.

Pixel 9 series 

Pixel Screenshots is getting a big update that integrates the app on Pixel 9 series phones with Gboard, Circle to Search, and Google Wallet. There are also new auto-categorizing filters and other design tweaks. You can read more about it here.

Stickers you’ve made in Pixel Studio can now appear in Gboard (English).

The Recorder app on the Pixel 9 series is adding a “Clear voice” toggle on the recording screen that reduces background noise. 

The built-in Instagram camera will let you capture Ultra HDR on the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold.

Finally, Call Screen on the Pixel 9 series will offer contextual replies powered by Gemini Nano. For example, when talking to a delivery person, Call Screen might suggest “In the lobby,” “Inside,” or “Not outside” in response to a question about where to leave a package.

Pixel foldables

The Camera app’s Portrait Mode on the Pixel Fold and Pixel 9 Pro Fold now lets you go Dual Screen so that both you and the subject can preview the shot. 

Similarly, Made You Look is coming to the original Fold, but only this year’s device is getting a new Joy character from “Inside Out.” 

Pixel Tablet

With Android 15 QPR1, the Pixel Tablet is getting lockscreen widgets. Google is also officially giving the device access to its VPN.

All Pixel phones 

On the Pixel 6+ (US English), you can now view the live transcript of an automatic Call Screen session, with the ability to answer/decline at any time. 

A new Simple View on the Pixel 6+ increases the font size and touch sensitivity to make smartphone navigation easier. 

The Now Playing history page can now show album artwork, while Google Search is leveraged to “identify songs not recognized by your device” from your lockscreen. The preference for both these additions is now called “Enhance Now Playing” (Settings app > Sound & vibration > Now Playing).

On the Gemini front, the Messages, Phone, Spotify, and Utilities Extensions are officially rolling out to the Pixel 6+. Google also says Gemini Live is coming to more languages and makes note of the Saved Info feature for Advanced subscribers. Meanwhile, you will “soon” be able to “use Gemini to control your smart home devices that your Google Account can access.” The Google Home Extension currently requires the Public Preview program

Identity Check (in beta) on the Pixel 6+ will require face or fingerprint authentication before changing sensitive settings (like Theft Protection and device passcode) or accessing passwords/passkeys when you’re in a new location (non-Trusted Place).

Snapchat is leveraging the cloud Photo Picker, while Car Crash Detection is now available in Germany on the Pixel 4a.

Meanwhile, Google devices will get a handful of features that were announced for all Android devices today.

Expressive Captions on the Pixel 6+ (US English, Android 14+) take the existing Live Captions feature a step further by describing the “intensity and emotion of how someone is speaking” in most video content, like livestreams, sports, Google Photos, and social media posts. You will see [gasps], [sighs], [cheers and applause], [groaning], and more alongside captions, which can be fully capitalized when appropriate.

Quick Share is adding the ability to transfer images, videos, and documents by having the other person take a picture of a QR code on your device.

Pixel Watch

The December 2024 Pixel Feature Drop is rolling out starting today across various system and app updates.