The latest Android update brings a series of improvements for Pixel devices, including the introduction of expressive subtitles, AI improvements in the Lookout app, and new Gemini Assistant features. The rollout began on December 5, 2024 and affects Pixel phones, Pixel tablets, and Pixel watches. The most notable improvements are aimed at Pixel 9 users, while older Pixel models are also receiving key updates.
Android December update introduces new features for Pixel devices
The December Feature Drop introduces important features for Pixel 9 devices. Contextual response suggestions for Call Screen use Gemini Nano to provide personalized responses during incoming calls. Users can now select appropriate responses while the caller is speaking, improving the screening experience. Additionally, Clear Voice mode is now available in the Pixel Recorder app, allowing the app to isolate spoken voices while minimizing background noise, thereby improving audio clarity.
Older Pixel phones get a surprising new upgrade
In addition to Call Screen and Recorder updates, the Pixel 9’s Screenshots app benefits from several improvements. Users can save highlighted segments from Circle to Search directly in their screenshots, creating a visual search history. Gboard now offers text suggestions based on content saved in screenshots, streamlining in-app searches. For Instagram users, the update enables Ultra HDR photo capture directly within the app, another exclusive feature for Pixel 9 devices.
The Android update focuses heavily on accessibility features. The introduction of expressive captions allows users to see descriptive phrases alongside video captions, providing context to unspoken audio cues such as (gasp) or (clap). This upgrade applies to the entire system and social media platforms.
The Lookout app, developed for visually impaired users, gets a boost from the Gemini 1.5 model, improving its capabilities with better photo descriptions. These advancements continue Google’s efforts to improve accessibility through AI, as demonstrated at their I/O events earlier this year.
Additionally, Pixel devices will benefit from a new Simple View option to increase font size and touch sensitivity, targeting users with limited dexterity or vision. Identity verification functionality will also be rolled out, requiring additional authentication when device settings are accessed in unknown locations.
Older Pixel phones get 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, expanded to previous models and various Fitbit devices. Google is also expanding the live streaming capabilities of Nest cameras, now available on the Pixel Watch 2.
For the Pixel tablet, the long-awaited lock screen widgets debut, allowing users to access certain features directly from the lock screen, a feature previously tested in the Android 15 QPR beta. Users can also enjoy the VPN service on their tablets, which has been active since last month.
Image and video credits: Google