Android 15’s arrival has no doubt shined the spotlight once again on Google’s Pixel devices, and the Mountain View company has brought over some nice little upgrades for several Pixel models, as far back as the Pixel 6 series. With that in mind, you might own a Pixel yourself and are curious as to what’s new this time around – let’s take a look!
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New Features for Data Protection
Say you’re walking down a busy street while on your phone, and someone suddenly takes it from you – this is a scenario that Google hopes to mitigate with the new Theft Detection Lock, one of the biggest features on Android 15. It works by using AI-based software detection as well as your phone’s sensors, and ideally will be able to tell when the device is forcibly removed from a user’s hand. This then triggers a system that locks down the phone, preventing criminals from accessing user data, resetting the device or even interacting with the Pixel’s screen.
“Private space” is now available as well, thanks to the Android 15 update. It’s a new feature that essentially gives Pixel users a separate space to shield their sensitive apps from prying eyes, and remains known only to them. Users can choose to hide Private Space from view, and the feature will require extra authentication to make sure that unwanted users don’t get access to it.
Improved Camera Features
Android 15 also brings updates to select Pixel models in terms of camera performance. For flagship Pixel phones including the Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 series, users on Instagram will now be able to directly access Night Sight features when taking low-light photos via the Instagram app. Speaking of low-light photography, Astrophotography can now be manually enabled using the new toggle when accessing Night Sight on the Pixel camera app.
Aside from Night Sight photos, Google says that it’s made some enhancements to the camera for underwater shoots, so photos and videos shot while submerged will look better. Furthermore, videos can now be edited with Audio Magic Eraser for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 phones, which allows users to pick specific sounds from a video and edit them out.
Gemini and More
For AI, Google adds that Gemini Live with audio is now accessible on older Pixel devices, beginning with the Pixel 6 series, and will roll out in several countries including France, Germany, Brazil, India, Spain, and Latin America. Additionally, users can also use Gemini to conveniently locate their Pixel Screenshots, which is able to recognize voice prompts to initiate a search.
The temperature sensor on the 8 and 9 Pro models has received updates, enabling the camera to be used as a viewfinder and allowing measurements to be saved to recent results. Pollen data is now available for users in France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Other features include the introduction of the new weather app to older Pixel devices, a Next Gen Call Screen for users in the UK and Japan, a Widget Discovery feature and new adaptive vibration, which utilizes your Pixel’s sensors and microphones to automatically adjust vibration levels based on your location.
Make sure to update your Pixel device now!
