Pixel feature drop: Snap faster, hear better, and do more!

Pixel keeps its user interested and invested with their annual Feature Drop. There is an update to suit every need.

This latest Feature drop will be released starting today and last the next few weeks. The Pixel 3a through Pixel 5a (5G) devices will be the first to receive the most relevant updates followed by Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in the coming week.

Snapchat, digital car key and ultra-wideband

The latest features allow the user to customize their pixel even more than before. Now along with the option to take a screenshot to play music via the Quick tap, one can add Snapchat to the equation and access it directly from the lock screen.

Quick Tap to Snap will be available to all Pixel 4a with 5G or newer Pixel phones. Starting this month, new Pixel-exclusive Lens, the Pixel Face in the Snaps. More Pixel-exclusive Lenses may be revealed in future Feature Drops.

Like previous reports, Google has partnered with BMW and created a new feature Digital car key enabled for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. On select 2020-2022 BMW models in certain countries, the car can be unlocked and lock tapping your phone on the door handle, and it can start the car by placing the Pixel on the interior key reader and pressing the engine start button.

Now, ultra-wideband is enabled for the Pixel 6 Pro. This feature improves Nearby Share allowing for quickly and securely sending files, videos, map locations to another handset with the same feature.

Personalize your devices

Conversation mode: A new early-stage accessibility feature in the Sound Amplifier app in the beta version for Pixel handset. This feature uses on-device machine learning to help hear conversations better in loud environments by tuning into their conversation partner and tuning out competing noise. This feature has a sneak peek accessible for tester and makes the next versions even better.

Now Playing experience: This feature allowed for automatic recognition on-device before, but the latest update added a new search bottom to automatically allow Pixel to identify a song playing nearby if Now Playing hasn’t done it already.

Pixel Buds A-Series: There has also been updates to improve the bass-level control for the Pixel Buds A-Series. Pixel Buds app when accessed by any Android 6.0+ device, allows a slider to adjust the bass from -1 to +4, giving you twice the bass range.

Wallpapers: Three beautiful new wallpapers were added in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Google collaborated with Dana Kearly, a disabled multidisciplinary artist from Vancouver B.C., for this Curated Culture collection.

Car crash detection and Recorder

The latest car crash detection feature is now supported in many countries including Taiwan, Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Japan, the U.K., Australia, Singapore, and the U.S, and will be expanding to more regions. When car crash detection is turned on in the Personal Safety app, your Pixel 3, Pixel 4, or newer Pixel phone can help detect if you’ve been in a severe car accident. If a crash is detected, the Pixel handset will check in with you to see if you’re OK. If there’s no response, Pixel can share your location and other relevant details with emergency responders. It should be noted that this feature is network depended and might not be reliable for emergency communications or available in all areas.

Recorder app: The latest update to this app brings about new languages for transcription including Japanese, French, and German on Pixel 3 and newer Pixel phones.

More detailed information on all this latest feature drop can be accessed through the Pixel forum.