Google releases a ‘Pixel Drop’ feature update every month for all supported Pixel devices, but the December edition is one of the biggest of the year.
A total of 20 new features are currently rolling out to Pixel phones and the Pixel tablet, many of which significantly improve the user experience. That’s in addition to the six being rolled out to all Android phones.
In this article, we’ll go through them all and make sure your Pixel device is one of the devices receiving the update.
What’s new in Google’s Pixel Drop for December?
Here’s everything you can look forward to:
Twin
- Stored information – Gemini can remember interests and preferences (such as dietary requirements) so that responses (such as a recipe) are most relevant
- Better app support – Gemini can be used to make calls, send messages, set alarms, control settings and open the camera app, with Spotify, Google Maps and smart home controls coming “in the coming weeks” added
- Better call screening responses (Pixel 9 phones only) – When screening a call, Gemini Nano’s one-tap suggestions are “more contextual”
- Live call screen transcripts – view the conversation between the caller and the AI agent as it happens, and answer or decline the call at any time
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Cameras
- Ultra HDR on Instagram (Pixel 9 phones only) – take and post Ultra HDR photos from the Instagram app
- Snapchat Google Photos integration – Snapchat’s Photo Picker now includes all your folders, favorites and cloud photos from Google Photos
- Dual screen (Pixel Fold and 9 Pro Fold only) – when you take a photo in the camera app, the subject can see a preview on the cover screen
- Made You Look updates (Pixel Fold and 9 Pro Fold only) – cover screen animations to grab kids’ attention for photos are now available on older foldable tablets, plus Joy from Inside Out movies available
Keyboard
- Pixel Studio Stickers in Gboard – Any AI-generated stickers you created in the Pixel Studio app can be sent directly from the keyboard
- Emoji Kitchen in Gboard – create and send emoji mash-ups from the keyboard
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Pixel screenshots
- Add Circle to Search Products (Pixel 9 phones only) – save each product you’ve identified in its own folder for later
- Automatic categorization (Pixel 9 phones only) – all screenshots are assigned a category as soon as they are saved, making the information within them easier to find later
- Tickets or cards added to Google Wallet (Pixel 9 phones only) – screenshotted boarding passes, driver’s licenses, credit cards and more can all be added
- Gboard Suggestions (Pixel 9 phones only) – Get suggestions for movies, music, products, or other text from screenshots as you search ‘relevant apps’
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General
- Clear Voice in Recorder (Pixel 9 phones only) – when enabled, puts focus on speakers while reducing background noise
- Easy Display (Pixel 6 and newer) – when enabled, font size and touch sensitivity are increased, making the device easier to use
- Now Playing artwork: After you identify a song, it will now appear next to the album art in the Now Playing history
- Faster Pixel Tablet controls (Pixel Tablet only) – swipe right from the lock screen for quick access to smart home, timer, music and other controls
- Identity Control (Beta) – Requires facial or fingerprint authentication to change sensitive settings
- Google VPN on Pixel Tablet – Previously only available on Pixel phones
Will my device get Google’s Pixel Drop for December?
Yes, provided Google still supports this with feature updates. For December’s Pixel Drop, the list of phones and tablets is as follows:
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel8
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel fold
- Pixel tablet
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel6a
- Pixel6
- Pixel 6 Pro
If you own one of these phones, make sure it is running the latest software version. December’s Pixel Drop is rolling out, but it may take a while before it’s available on all devices.
