Android’s latest update brings a series of enhancements for Pixel devices, including the introduction of Expressive Captions, AI improvements in the Lookout app, and new Gemini Assistant functionalities. The rollout commenced on December 5, 2024, impacting Pixel phones, Pixel Tablets, and Pixel Watches. Most notable enhancements cater to Pixel 9 users while older Pixel models also receive some key updates.
Android’s December update introduces new features for Pixel devices
The December Feature Drop introduces significant features for Pixel 9 devices. Contextual reply suggestions for Call Screen utilize Gemini Nano to deliver tailored responses during incoming calls. Users can now select appropriate responses as the caller speaks, enhancing the screening experience. Furthermore, Clear Voice Mode is now available in the Pixel Recorder app, allowing the application to isolate spoken voices while minimizing background noise, improving audio clarity.
Older Pixel phones are getting a surprising new upgrade
In addition to the Call Screen and Recorder updates, the Pixel 9’s Screenshots app benefits from several enhancements. Users can save highlighted segments from Circle to Search directly in their Screenshots, creating a visual search history. Gboard now provides text suggestions based on saved content in Screenshots, streamlining searches across apps. For Instagram users, the update enables the capture of Ultra HDR photos directly within the app—another exclusive feature for Pixel 9 devices.
Android’s update focuses heavily on accessibility features. The introduction of Expressive Captions allows users to see descriptive phrases alongside video captions, providing context for non-spoken audio cues like [gasp] or [applause]. This upgrade applies throughout the system and social media platforms.
The Lookout app, developed for users with low vision, receives a boost from the Gemini 1.5 model, enhancing its capabilities with better photo descriptions. These advancements continue Google’s effort to improve accessibility through AI, as showcased during their I/O event earlier in the year.
Additionally, Pixel devices will gain a new Simple View option to increase font size and touch sensitivity, catering to users with limited dexterity or vision. The Identity Check feature will also roll out, requiring additional authentication when device settings are accessed in unfamiliar locations.
Older Pixel phones are getting a surprising new upgrade
The Pixel Watch and Pixel Tablet also benefit from this update. Pixel Watch users will see the Cardio Load feature, previously limited to the Pixel Watch 3, extended to earlier models and various Fitbit devices. Google is also expanding live streaming capabilities from Nest cameras, now available on the Pixel Watch 2.
For the Pixel Tablet, the long-anticipated lock screen widgets make their debut, allowing users to access certain functionalities directly from the lock screen, a feature previously tested in the Android 15 QPR beta. Users can also experience the VPN service on their Tablets, which has been active since last month.
Image and video credits: Google
