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10 Things to Know About Google Pixel's June Feature Drops
From helpful AI features, better protection to upgrades on Smart Home, here are 10 things to look out for in Google Pixel’s latest Feature Drop for June 2024.

This June, your Pixel just got a boost of helpfulness with a series of new and improved features.1 The June Feature Drops unlocks a wave of helpful new features designed to make your life easier, safer, and more connected.

Google AI in Your Hand: Helpful in Your Everyday Life 1. Gemini Nano Now Available in Developer options on Pixel 8/ Pixel 8a

What it is: Gemini Nano is Google’s most efficient model built for on-device tasks.2 It uses the power of Google Tensor G3 to deliver Summarise in Recorder, which helps to automatically generate summaries of your recording and works even without a network connection. 

Need to write minutes for your brainstorming sessions? Simply start recording your discussions with Pixel Recorder, and then use the Summarise feature to create a concise list of key points for easy reference. This is also a valuable tool for users with visual impairments or those who prefer a text-based overview of a recording.  Previously available only on Pixel 8 Pro, Gemini Nano is now available on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a in Developer options too.

Available on: Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a in Developer options, and Pixel 8 Pro

2. Upgrades to Recording Summarise

What it is: The Recorder app now delivers more detailed, downloadable summaries (available only on Pixel 8 Pro and in Developer options on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a in English).3 Conversation transcripts include the names of who's speaking and can be exported to text files or Google Docs. Speaker labels available only on Pixel 6 and newer phones in US English.

Let’s say that you’re brainstorming with a team. With upgrades made to Summarise, it not only converts the recording into text-based format, but can also distinguish between different speakers' voices and attribute their comments in the resulting text file or Google Doc. This makes it easy to share the discussion highlights with your team, ensuring everyone's contributions are captured clearly.

Available on: Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a in Developer options, and Pixel 8 Pro

Capture More Picture Perfect Moments 3. HDR+ Improved Frame Selection: Put Your Best Face Forward

What it is: Pixel's signature HDR+ goes beyond a single shot, merging multiple exposures to capture stunning detail and vibrant colors in both highlights and shadows. The result? A crisp, final image that pops. Now, with a more accurate AI image selection in HDR+, it can identify when your eyes are open, face is sharp, in-focus and smiling. Pixel Camera will pick the reference frame for HDR+ with this new criteria to produce the best possible photo. With this feature, you are less likely to encounter eye-closed, blurred, out-of-focus, or poorly expressed faces in HDR+ shots.

Available on: Pixel 6 and later models and Pixel Tablet 

4. Manual Lens Selection: Match Your Lens to the Moment

What it is: Previously limited to the Pixel 8 Pro, the powerful triple-lens camera system is now available on Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro too. This means you have the freedom to choose between the ultrawide (0.5x), wide (1x), and telephoto (5x) lenses to capture stunning landscapes, vibrant cityscapes, and everything in between – all in breathtaking detail.

The primary wide lens is your go-to for everyday photography and perfect for capturing vibrant cityscapes like Melbourne’s laneways and stunning portraits against the backdrop of Australia’s landscape. You can zoom all the way up to 5x to the 48 megapixel telephoto lens, perfect for bringing distant subjects closer to capture intricate details without sacrificing its quality.

Available on: Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8 Pro

5. Locate offline devices with Find My Device

What it is: Never lose track of what matters - with Find My Device (FMD), you can easily locate your misplaced belongings and your Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, even if it's out of juice. Attach a tracker tag to your keys or wallet for a quick and secure way to find them with FMD. The best part? Even if your Pixel's battery dies, FMD can still locate it for up to 23 hours, giving you peace of mind and helping you reunite with your phone quickly.4

Available on: Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro (dead battery findability). For other accessories like watches and earbuds, you’ll be able to view their last seen location when they did have battery.

6. Reverse Phone Number Lookup: Look Up That Mystery Phone Number - Quick

What is it: With Pixel's built-in reverse phone number search, you can stop spam calls in their tracks by identifying unknown callers is a breeze. Simply tap a number in your call log and instantly see potential spam alerts. This empowers you to decide on the spot whether to answer the call or let it ring, saving you valuable time and frustration.

Available on: Pixel 6 and newer phone models 

7. Enhanced Safety on Your Wrist: Car Crash Detection & Improved Bicycle Fall Detection on Pixel Watch 2

What it is: Pixel Watch 2 prioritises your well-being with two innovative features that offer peace of mind during daily activities:

  • Car Crash Detection: Pixel Watch 2 can now intelligently detect potential car accidents and automatically initiate emergency calls if you're unable to respond.5 This potentially life-saving feature helps provide critical assistance in critical moments.

  • Improved Fall Detection: We've optimised Pixel Watch 2 fall detection to better recognise falls, especially those that happen while cycling. Enjoy your rides with confidence knowing Pixel Watch 2 has your back, even on uneven terrain.

Available on: Pixel Watch 2 for Car Crash Detection, and for Bicycle Fall Detection: Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2

New Upgrades to a Smarter Home 8. Connected Displays: Take your entertainment to the big screen


What it is: Unleash the Big Screen Experience on Your Pixel, where you can now enjoy seamless content sharing and streaming on a larger display with the new wired video-out support. This exciting feature allows you to connect your compatible Pixel directly to an external monitor using a USB-C cable with DisplayPort functionality.6,7 Simply plug in and project your phone's screen onto the bigger display – perfect for presentations or Friday night movie marathons!

Available on: Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a

9. Richer Doorbell Notifications on Pixel Tablet


What it is: Your Smart Home just got an upgrade with richer doorbell notifications. When the Nest Doorbell is pressed, your docked Pixel Tablet will get a full screen live video takeover with a chime and visitor announcement and be able to respond quickly with 2-way talk or quick responses. When undocked, you are still able to receive a push notification - simply tap the notification to open your doorbell video stream. (only available as public preview, not available to all)

Available on: Pixel Tablet with Charging Speaker Dock and Nest Doorbell (battery)

10. Google Home Favourites Widgets

What it is: Users with Android 8+ phones and tablets can now enjoy effortless smart home management with customisable home screen widgets . These handy widgets let you control lights, speakers, and other compatible devices directly from your Pixel or tablet's home screen. Customise their size and placement for ultimate convenience, and tap into the Home app for deeper control over your entire smart home ecosystem. Transform your home screen into a personalised smart home hub – it's that easy!

Available on: Android 8+ phone and tablet

Takeaways
Gemini Nano, which powers Summarise in Recorder, is now available in Developer options on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, allowing you to Summarise your recording into a concise list of key points in text-based format.You can now locate your phone offline with Find My Device (FMD), so you can easily find your misplaced belongings and your Pixel 8 or 8 Pro, even when it runs out of battery.Users with Android 8+ phones and devices can now enjoy effortless smart home management with customisable home screen widgets.
Pixel 8a
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Related products
Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL
Pixel 9
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  1. Your Pixel will generally receive Feature Drops during the applicable Android update and support periods for the phone. See g.co/pixel/updates for details on when your Pixel is eligible to receive Feature Drops. Availability of some Feature Drops may vary by phone and device model. Phone, earbuds, watch and tablet sold separately.

  2. Available only on Pixel 8 Pro and in Developer options on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.

  3. Compared to previous version of the Recorder app.

  4. App can locate device without power for at least 23 hours. Find My Device network requires location services and Bluetooth to be turned on. Requires mobile service or Internet connection. Available on Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro or Pixel 8a and in certain countries for age-eligible users, see https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1350409 for more information.

  5. Car Crash Detection is not available in all languages or countries. For country and language availability and more information, see support.google.com/googlepixelwatch?p=ccd. Car Crash Detection may not detect all crashes. High-impact activities could also trigger Car Crash Detection. This feature is dependent upon network connectivity and other factors and may not be reliable for emergency communications or available in all areas. 

  6. Requires connection using USB-C cable and compatible display (both sold separately). Available only on Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8a. USB-C® is a trademark of USB Implementers Forum.

  7. Subscriptions may be required for certain content.