1 month ago
12 ARTICLE AD
Considering that the Pixel 9 phones dropped close to two months ago, Pixel fans have had to wait a considerably long time to finally gain a few fabled Android 15 features. Well, at least the wait is over. On Tuesday, Google said it’s finally deploying some of the most-sought capabilities for past and current Pixels, though what you get will depend on if you’re using the latest Google-brand phone.
Starting on Oct. 15, the latest Pixel Drop will add promised features to Pixel 9 devices, like the ability to use Gemini with the Pixel Screenshots app. If you’re using the Pixel 8 Pro or the Pixel 9 Pro, which contain the external temperature sensor, you’ll now be able to use the camera as a viewfinder to better position it on your child’s feverish forehead. The camera also acts as a viewfinder for live reading features.
Also, if you haven’t used it yet, you should check out the Audio Magic Eraser feature on Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 phones. In the Google Photos app, you should see options to turn down specific audio in your videos, in case you want to hear friends and family better in your videos than strangers. Pixel 9 phones should be able to boost the volume of audio as well if you really want your voice to drown out all others.
If you’re using a Pixel 6 or newer phone, you’ll be happy to note a few more features heading your way. First is the promised Theft Protection, which is supposed to sense if some thief has absconded with your phone and lock itself up. In addition, you should check out Private Space, a special folder for sensitive apps that you can lock behind a pin.
With Android 15, Pixel 7 or later phones also get an “Adaptive Vibration” mode that reads the ambient noise level and limits the vibration intensity. It’s supposed to help you avoid angry stares when your phone starts buzzing on the table in a quiet library. The Pixel Weather app is now coming to all Pixel 6 devices or newer, alongside the Pixel Tablet.
If you were hoping to avoid Pixel Buds Pro 2’s Gemini AI integration with past Pixel Buds, you won’t be able to avoid it any longer. The Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series, and original Pixel Buds can now operate with Gemini Live if they’re connected through an Android phone.
For those who still use the Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, an additional feature will make it easy to pin and unpin your taskbar. This feature will certainly come in handy for those of us with dumb thumbs who fail to remember the right gesture to bring up specific dual-screen apps.
