Google Pixel Update: Battery Saver, AI Photo Remix & Smarter Notifications

Google's November Pixel Update: A Comprehensive Overview

Google has recently unveiled its November software update for Pixel phones, known as Pixel Drop. This quarterly release introduces a range of new functionalities to existing devices, enhancing user experience and capabilities.

New Features and Enhancements

Among the key additions are notification summaries, a battery-saving mode specifically for the Maps application, prompt-based editing tools for Photos, and Gemini Nano-powered photo editing directly within Messages.

Notification Summaries, a feature previously introduced by Apple with its Apple Intelligence suite, are now being implemented by Google for Pixel 9 and newer devices. A feature to silence lower-priority alerts will be available in December.

A new low-power mode is being integrated into the Maps app. This mode reduces screen brightness and displays only essential information, such as navigation routes and upcoming turn details. Pixel 10 series users can anticipate up to four hours of extended battery life with this feature.

Enhanced Security and AI Integration

Previously, Gemini Nano was utilized for scam detection during phone calls, leveraging on-device speech recognition for users in the U.S. with Pixel 9 and later models. This capability is now being extended to users in the U.K., Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada.

To further combat fraudulent activity, a “Likely a scam” button will be added to message notifications. This complements the existing system that analyzes message content to identify spam and potential scams.

The popular Nano Banana image model is now powering a new feature called Remix within the Messages app. Users can reimagine photos using text prompts, offering creative editing possibilities.

Improved Communication and Personalization

The Pixel VIPs feature, launched in June, allows users to designate up to eight important contacts and receive updates via a home screen widget. With the November Pixel Drop, notifications from these prioritized contacts will be given precedence.

Furthermore, the contacts widget will display a crisis badge if an incident, such as a flood, occurs in the designated contact’s location.

Advanced Photo Editing Capabilities

An AI-powered editing feature is being added to Google Photos. Users can simply tap “Help me edit” and provide instructions like “Remove Riley’s sunglasses, open my eyes, make Engel smile and open her eyes.” The feature utilizes Google Photos’ face grouping technology to accurately identify individuals and apply the requested edits.

Expanded Feature Support and Customization

Support for Call Notes, a call transcription feature, is being expanded to include Australia, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Japan. Additionally, a “Wicked: For Good” theme pack, featuring new wallpapers, icons, system sounds, and GIFs based on the movie, is available for Pixel 6 and later devices.