Google’s June Feature Drop Brings AI-Powered Upgrades and More to Pixel Devices
Google’s latest Feature Drop for June has finally arrived in India, bringing a wave of new features and enhancements to Pixel devices. While the update rolls out as a seemingly modest 0.97GB security update, it packs a punch with AI-powered capabilities, enhanced Find My Device functionality, and improvements to the Pixel Camera and Pixel Watch. However, not all features are available in India, leaving some users out in the cold. This article delves into the specifics of this Feature Drop, highlighting the most exciting new additions and limitations, so you can understand what to expect on your Pixel devices.
Gemini Nano on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a
The June Feature Drop sees the arrival of Gemini Nano, previously exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a. This powerful on-device AI model unlocks a range of new AI-enabled features, notably improving the Summarize function in the Recorder app. This feature, according to Google, delivers more accurate and comprehensive summaries. You can even export these summaries to a Google Docs file for easy editing and sharing. Furthermore, the update grants all Pixel smartphones the ability to mirror content to an external display via a compatible USB Type-C cable.
Find My Device Offline Tracking: Expanded Reach
This Feature Drop marks a significant enhancement to the Find My Device feature, allowing you to locate your lost Pixel smartphone even if it’s powered off or its battery is dead. This functionality leverages Bluetooth technology and requires cell service or an internet connection to pinpoint your device’s location up to 23 hours after it last had power. However, this feature is currently restricted to users of the Pixel 8 series.
Best Take Expansion and More
The June Feature Drop brings the popular Best Take face swap feature to the Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, and all smartphones from the Pixel 6 series onwards. This powerful feature allows you to seamlessly swap faces between multiple photos to get the perfect shot. Additionally, the update introduces a convenient reverse search capability directly from the call log, enabling you to quickly identify unknown phone numbers.
Pixel Camera Improvements
This Feature Drop unveils a welcomed addition to the Pixel Camera app, giving you manual control over lens selection. This feature, available on the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Fold, lets you choose between the primary and telephoto cameras for a more personalized shooting experience. Previously, automatic lens switching based on distance could occasionally feel limiting.
Car Crash Detection on Pixel Watch and Home App Revamp
The June Feature Drop delivers a crucial safety feature to Pixel Watch 2 users in India: Car Crash Detection. This feature, triggered by a high-impact car crash, automatically calls emergency services and preset contacts, ensuring swift assistance in urgent situations. For optimal functionality, your Pixel Watch should be paired with a Pixel smartphone.
The update also brings a revamped Home app on Wear OS, providing quicker access to Google Home devices with a single swipe on your watch. Lastly, the Pixel Tablet now receives richer doorbell notifications when docked, offering a more informative view of visitors at the door. You can talk to them directly or send a quick response. However, this feature requires a compatible Nest Doorbell.
Remember that after installing the June Feature Drop security update, you may need to update your individual Google apps and services through the Play Store to enjoy all the latest features and enhancements in full.
The June Feature Drop underscores Google’s commitment to innovation and AI integration across its Pixel ecosystem. While there are some limitations and device-specific features, this update brings a significant set of upgrades that enhance user experiences and introduce helpful new functionalities. As Google continues to explore the possibilities of AI, we can expect even more exciting advancements in future Feature Drops, propelling Pixel devices to the forefront of the mobile landscape.
