June 2024 Pixel Feature Drop: Complete List of New Features Announced!

As expected, most of today's updates focus on Pixel phones, particularly the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the new Pixel 8a. However, older Pixels aren't left out.

Gemini Nano: Previously, only the Pixel 8 Pro had Gemini Nano support, which provides on-device AI features that work without an internet connection. Now, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a can use Gemini Nano, but with a significant caveat: you need to manually enable Developer Options and then activate Gemini Nano. This extra step can be cumbersome, but it’s nice to know that those who really want Nano features on a Pixel 8 or 8a can access them. Here’s how to do it:

1. Enable Developer Options by going to Settings > About Phone and tapping the software build number seven times until you see the “You are now a developer” alert.
2. Go to Settings > System > Developer options.
3. Find the AICore setting and enable all AICore features.

DisplayPort: Until now, Google Pixel phones haven’t supported DisplayPort, preventing you from connecting your phone to a monitor or TV with the right cable. For older models, this was a hardware limitation, but for newer ones, it was a software issue. Google is addressing this today! The Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a now support DisplayPort functionality. You’ll need a specific cable, and we recommend this one from Amazon.

Reverse Phone Number Lookup: This new feature for Pixel phones lets you easily look up unknown phone numbers directly from your call logs through a reverse search. This saves you the trouble of copying the number and pasting it into Google Search. This feature will be available on all Pixels released since the Pixel 6, including the Pixel Fold.

More Powerful Recorder: The Recorder app now provides more detailed summaries, including the names of each speaker. This feature works on Gemini Nano phones, so the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, and 8a (if Nano features are manually activated) will benefit. Additionally, you can now export Recorder transcripts and summaries directly to Google Docs, available on all Pixels that support Recorder.

HDR+ Improved Frame Selection: Your camera will now automatically select the best moment in your HDR+ photos with just one shutter press, resulting in better picture quality. This feature is coming to the Pixel 6 and newer models, including the Pixel Fold.

Powered-off Find My Device Support: Google had previously announced this, but it is now being widely rolled out. Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users can now track their phones even when powered off using the new Find My Device network (FMDN). This feature will expand to more non-Pixel phones in the future, but few current models have the necessary hardware.

Pixel Feature Drop June 2024: Pixel Tablet

Google's Pixel Tablet, their sole tablet offering, receives a significant update with today's Pixel Feature Drop. This major enhancement improves its functionality in Hub Mode when docked, particularly with smart doorbells. Now, if someone rings the doorbell, the Tablet will automatically display a live feed from the doorbell's camera. To use this feature, you need either a wired Nest Doorbell (first or second generation) or the Nest Doorbell (battery).

This capability has long been available to Google Nest Hub Max and Google Nest Hub users, but adding it to the Pixel Tablet aligns it more closely with these popular smart home devices. Additionally, the Pixel Tablet now benefits from the HDR+ improved frame selection feature, which is also being rolled out to Pixel phones.

Pixel Feature Drop June 2024: Pixel smartwatches

Google has introduced a notable new feature exclusive to the Pixel Watch 2, along with several general Wear OS enhancements included in the latest Pixel Feature Drop.

Car Crash Detection: This feature, long available on Pixel smartphones, is now exclusively on the Pixel Watch 2. Using various sensors, the watch can detect if you’ve been in a car crash. If a crash is detected, the watch will check if you need assistance. If there’s no response, it will automatically alert emergency services and your trusted contacts.

Bicycle Fall Detection: Similar to Car Crash Detection, this feature is tailored for bicycle falls and is now exclusive to the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, as Pixel smartphones lack a specific bicycle detection feature. Essentially, it’s an enhanced version of Fall Detection available on phones.

PayPal Support in Wallet: This feature was rolled out with the Android Feature Drop at the end of May and is available to all Wallet users on Wear OS or Android. You can now use PayPal within Wallet for contactless payments directly from your wrist.

New Google Home Features: These features were also part of the recent Android Feature Drop and are available to all Wear OS 4 watches, not just Pixel Watches. They include new complications for certain watch faces, a new Google Home tile, and a broader range of smart home controls.