We’ve known for a while now that Google’s preparing to roll out major new features to its range of devices, and well, just in time for the holiday season, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant has begun rolling out the November Pixel Feature Drop.
Available to eligible users starting today (and expected to be more widely available over the coming days), the Feature Drop brings key updates to Google’s own lineup of Pixel devices, while also extending some advanced capabilities to Android devices in general.
Remix photos in Google Messages
First spotted in development all the way back in May this year, Google Photos’ Remix tool essentially lets users reimagine and convert their cherished images into four distinct styles: 3D animation, Anime, Sketch, and Comic book.
The tool began rolling out to users back in August, and now, as part of the November Feature Drop, Google is porting it over from Google Photos to Google Messages. First leaked by the folks over at Android Authority last week, the feature, which works in group chats too, will let users edit photos before they’re sent.
“If you’re chatting with another Google Messages user, you can both remix the same image back and forth without ever leaving the app,” wrote the tech giant. Not sure why you’d want to do that, but okay.
Remix in Google Messages is making its way to all Pixel 6 and later-released Pixel device, plus “all other Androids.”
Make sense of your notification overload
Credit:Â Google
Apple already rolled out AI-powered notification summaries with iOS 18, Samsung is working on ’em, and Google is now rolling out its iteration.
Rolling out now, but only for the Pixel 9 and later-released Pixel devices (excluding the Pixel 9a), your Google device should now be able to give you a summary of some of your longer conversations. “Lengthy texts across chat apps are now easily recapped in your notification shade, ideal for quickly catching up on busy group texts and long chat threads so you can instantly see what’s important and stay focused,” wrote the tech giant.
Notification summaries are rolling out now, and will be upgraded with AI-powered organization and silencing features in December. Summaries are currently limited to English notifications.
Scam Detection in (more) messages
Scam Detection in Google Messages is already a thing. The tech giant is now looking to take the preventive feature one step further by giving it wider scan access.
According to Google, Scam Detection will now be able to spot potential scams “when you get chat notifications from many popular apps,” not just Google Messages, and subsequently warn you about them. “Scam Detection for chat notifications automatically displays a “Likely scam” alert on notifications of messages that seem suspicious, giving you an early warning to help you avoid fraud,” wrote the tech giant.
Scam Detection for wider messages is rolling out with the Feature Drop on Pixel 6 and later-released devices.
Elsewhere, the tech giant Scam Detection for calls feature is finally shedding its US exclusivity. The feature is now rolling out to users with a Pixel 9 or later-released device in the U.K., Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada in English, French, and Hindi only.
Notifications from Pixel VIPs get priority
Google’s Pixel VIPs feature, which elevates visibility for select important contacts, is getting even better. When you add contacts to your VIP list and set up a home screen widget, you’re able to seamlessly access recent conversations with said contacts, alongside their real-time location (if shared), local updates, messages, and more.
With today’s Feature Drop, Google is making sure that message notifications from your VIPs get prioritized, ensuring that you don’t miss important messages. The tech giant added, “With your safety in mind, VIPs will also now have a crisis badge in the Contacts widget to keep you posted on critical alert.”
Pixel VIP improvements are now available on Pixel 6 and later-released Pixel devices.
Personalized Edits in Google Photos are here for all
Already available on Pixel devices, Google is extending its Help me edit feature to all Android devices. For more users now, gone are the days of the perfect shot ruined by one person blinking or wearing sunglasses. User can now tap Help me edit in the Google Photos app and ask the tool to make relevant edits like “remove sunglasses,” “open my eyes,” “make me smile,” and akin.
“Photos will fix the image by using other pictures in your gallery that you’ve labeled and organized in your face groups to ensure a personalized and natural look,” wrote Google.
The feature is rolling out now on all Android devices.
Power Saving Mode in Google Maps for when you’re running low
Credit:Â Google
Spotted late in October, Google Maps’ power-saving mode is finally rolling out in a severely limited fashion.
Available now on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the new power saver, which will appear as a power button, will essentially remove all color from the navigation UI. Once enabled, users will only be shown a simplified layout with only key information like next turns.
The new feature should be very useful for situations where you’re traveling to a new location, and also running low on battery.
Call Notes finally escape the US
Credit:Â Google
First unveiled with the Pixel 9 series last year, Google’s Call Notes feature, which has been limited to the US, is now expanding to more regions.
The feature, which essentially uses on-device Gemini Nano to record calls, take notes, generate transcripts and summaries, and more, is now rolling out to users in Australia, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Japan.
Call Notes are only available on Pixel 9 and later released Pixel devices, excluding the Pixel 9a.
