Every New Feature in the December Google Pixel Release
With the annual Pixel hardware release in the rearview mirror, Google is now turning its attention to the software side. First up: the new Pixel Feature Drop . However, this isn’t anything out of the ordinary: Pixel feature removals happen every few months and add some cool new features to compatible Pixel phones.
Coming in December 2023, several new features like Gemini Nano, Video Boost, Night Sight Video, and more will be available exclusively for the Pixel 8 Pro (sorry, Pixel 8 users).
Gemini Nano on Pixel 8 Pro
Google on Wednesday unveiled a new artificial intelligence model called Gemini that can run on devices from data centers to mobile devices. Luckily for Pixel 8 Pro users, the Gemini Nano, the smallest and most efficient version of the Gemini, will be available in December.
Gemini Nano on Pixel 8 Pro brings a new Summation feature to the Voice Recorder app. With it, you can quickly get a summary of your recordings without being connected to a network, since all processing is done on the device. Gemini Nano also supports Gboard’s Smart Reply feature, where the device’s built-in AI model suggests replies using conversational awareness, so we hope the suggested replies will be more useful than ever.
To get started, you can try the new Gemini Nano-powered Smart Reply on WhatsApp. More applications will be supported in the new year.
Enhance video and night vision video on Pixel 8 Pro
During its hardware event in October, Google showed off Video Boost as a powerful exclusive for the Pixel 8 Pro. The feature uploads your videos to the cloud and then processes them using Google’s photography computational models to adjust lighting, color, stabilization, and grain. After processing your video, Google says it should be more “realistic.”
Video Boost also includes another new feature called Night Sight Video, which uses artificial intelligence to reduce noise on your videos recorded at night or in low light conditions.
Another camera feature available on both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 is Night Sight in Time Lapse. By placing your phone on a sturdy surface, such as a rock or a tripod, you can record time-lapse videos in low light. This is ideal for capturing the night sky or vibrant cityscapes at night.
Photography improvements
This release introduces a number of photography improvements for your Pixel. Google is adding a new AI model to help improve portrait lighting in Google Photos that can remove harsh shadows to make portrait photos look their best. In addition, Photo Unblur has also been improved to sharpen images of dogs and cats, as well as refocus people’s faces.
If you have a Pixel Fold, you can now enable dual-screen preview, which displays a camera preview on the external screen when you take a photo. Now you can also use your Pixel as a webcam. Simply connect your Pixel 6 or later (or Pixel Fold) via USB cable to your computer and select the webcam option under USB Settings.
If you scan documents on your Pixel , you’ll benefit from the new Clean feature. The Clean feature removes any blemishes, smudges, and creases from scanned documents, making them more presentable and legible.
Repair mode
If you need to send your Pixel phone in for repair, use the new repair mode. When you enable it, Recovery Mode will protect your apps and personal data in a safe environment. The only way to login is to enter the security code you set. (Google, of course, recommends that you ensure that this code is secure.) Once you exit recovery mode, access to your phone and its data will return to normal.
Smart answers on the call screen
One of the best features of Pixel phones is the call screen: this feature can answer calls on your behalf and display a transcript of the call so you can decide whether you want to accept it. It’s now even better with the December feature release. Call Filter will now provide contextual responses such as confirming or canceling an appointment when a doctor calls, in addition to filtering out spam callers. Call screen also works on Pixel Watch, so you can see who’s calling before you pick up the phone.
Speaking of the Pixel Watch, you’ll now be able to unlock your phone with the watch while it’s connected. As long as you wear your Pixel Watch, you won’t have to use fingerprint or face unlock on your phone every time you wake it up.
Smaller Features
Google has also added a few small features that improve the quality of life when using Pixel devices. For example, we now have Clearing Calling support for video calling on the Pixel Tablet, weather in the Clock app, and Google Password Manager can now determine which accounts support passkeys. Additionally, if you have a first-generation Pixel Watch, you’ll see features like Do Not Disturb and Sleep mode synchronization, new watch face designs like Adventure and Analog Arcs, and updated complication styles like Arcs and a refreshed design light bulbs
Which Pixel phones will receive the December Feature Drop?
The December feature release is rolling out today to Pixel devices, including the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel Fold, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, and Pixel Tablet. Not all features in the December feature release will be available on all Pixel devices.