December 10, 2024, 10:59 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Google’s last feature drop of the year brings innovations such as emoji combinations or sharing content via QR code. Three Pixel series are also now getting longer operating system upgrades.
Google has begun rolling out new Android functions for smartphones. For instance, Quick Share usage has been streamlined: sharing images, videos, or documents is now faster with the creation and scanning of a QR code, as the company reports. Previously, recipients of Quick Share needed to be listed in the sender’s smartphone contacts to exchange content, and specific approval settings were required.
Personalize Messages with Your Own Emoji Combinations
With the Gboard keyboard and Emoji Kitchen feature, you can now craft personalized messages using your own combinations of emojis. For those who use the online storage Drive, Google promises that as part of the new Android functions, photo scans, for example, of receipts or documents, will now be automatically enhanced so that they are easy to read. The enhancements include improvements to contrast and white balance, as well as the removal of shadows and blurring.
A new Android function, which is only available for Pixel smartphones from model 6 onwards, is called “Simple View” and can be found in the settings under “Accessibility,” as Google writes in a separate message. It is intended to improve clarity through a simplified layout.
‘Simple View’ Simplifies Phone Usage
On the other hand, “Simple View” is intended to simplify the overall operation of the phone, for example, by adding additional navigation buttons. It can also be used to change the font and icon size as well as the touchscreen sensitivity. Additionally, the Gemini AI assistant now features Spotify integration. This integration enables users to play music using voice commands. This already worked for Google Assistant, but the feature has now been added for Gemini.
Furthermore, the Utilities app enables Gemini to assume additional tasks on behalf of the user. Such tasks include sending emails and adjusting phone settings. Gemini can also provide better image descriptions in the Lookout app. However, this is only available in English for the time being.
Pixel smartphones are becoming more secure
Additionally, the in-house Pixel devices are set to receive the new ‘Identity Verification’ feature. This is still in the beta phase and intervenes when the smartphone is in a new location. If you want to change important settings, the user must first verify their face or fingerprint. This serves to improve theft protection.
The Pixel Tablet gains access to Google VPN, while the Pixel Watch 2 can now display who is at the door. Moreover, the Pixel Watch 3 features pulse loss detection, enabling it to alert emergency services in case of respiratory or cardiac arrest.
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Update periods for Pixel 6, 7, and Fold extended
Google has also extended the update periods for Pixel devices. This has increased from three from release to five years from release and applies for the 6 and 7 model series and for the Pixel Fold (1st generation). For Pixel 6 devices, for example, upgrades would otherwise have ended with the recently released Android 15. Now, they will also receive Android 16 and 17.
Feature updates may take several days or even weeks to reach all Pixel devices. You might receive the December update automatically. Alternatively, you can initiate it manually by navigating to ‘System/Software updates’ in the settings, tapping ‘System update,’ and then selecting ‘Check for updates.’
With material from dpa