Android 15 Pixel Drop: Weather app expansion, underwater Pixel 9 photos & videos, more

With the launch of Android 15, Google is rolling out the October 2024 Pixel Drop. Besides the slight naming tweak, there are new features for all devices, while a lot of things introduced on the Pixel 9 are coming to older devices.

New for Pixel 9

There will be a new Gemini Extension for Pixel Screenshots. This allows Gemini to find information saved in the Screenshots app with “Hey Google, use Screenshots to find [the brand of sneakers I saved]” commands now possible.

The Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL can now automatically detect when the current scene is underwater. This enables “Underwater photography” and video recording to make colors richer and more accurate. Compared to before, this lets you use any waterproof case when swimming or snorkeling.  

New for all devices 

Astrophotography will be easier to access in Pixel Camera with a dedicated slider in Night Sight. Once in this mode, tapping the shutter gives you five seconds to set your phone down and point it at the sky.

From Android 15, there’s the Theft protection suite of features and Private space, as well as the Widget Discovery in the picker. Adaptive Vibration helps reduce noise in quiet environments. Your microphone and other sensors are leveraged to determine sound levels and your current context. This applies to ringtones, notifications, and alerts on the Pixel 7 and newer.  

Night Sight is now available in Instagram for Pixel 6 and newer (except A-Series), while Gemini Live is coming to Brazil, Denmark, India, Japan, and South Korea after the last expansion.

Pixel 9 features coming to older devices 

Pixel Weather is coming to the Pixel 6 and newer devices around the world. An update adds a new pollen tracker with grass, tree, and weed breakdowns in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.

Similarly, the new Pixel Thermometer UI introduced on the 9 series for object temperatures is coming to the Pixel 8 Pro. This includes the camera viewfinder and the ability to save recent measurements for seven days. 

The Audio Magic Eraser upgrade for the Pixel 9 that lets you turn up/down specific sounds and different voices is coming to the Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and 8a.

Next Gen Call Screen Is coming to Japan and the UK for Pixel 6+. Like in the US, there will be a more human-sound voice with the real-time transcript. In the UK, there will also be improved automated replies for confirming appointments and reservations that you can select to skip getting on the call.

Pixel Tablet Drop

Meanwhile, the Android 15 Pixel Drop continues on the Pixel Tablet. Notification dismissed on your Pixel phone will also be removed from your Pixel Tablet, and vice versa. You have to enable this feature in Settings, while this only happens over Wi-Fi. 

Besides the Home Panel screen saver, the Pixel Tablet is adding some new clocks in Hub Mode. The Google Photos screen saver is now more interactive and lets you share, favorite, or archive photos. 

Google also reiterated that UWB-powered Tap to Cast, which was announced at the start of 2024, will be available in the coming weeks.

Pixel Watch Drop

The Pixel Watch is getting a new Individual Contact Tile. Their profile image is flanked by shortcuts to call and message.

Meanwhile, Gmail for Wear OS now lets you send and select emoji reactions as replies. 

Loss of Pulse Detection on the Pixel Watch 3 is now coming to three more European countries: Belgium, Italy, and Spain. It joins: Austria, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.