Today is the first Monday of the month and that means it’s time for Google to release the monthly software update for Pixel phones. Only this time special. In fact, this is the newest Pixel Feature Drop, and not only that, it’s the biggest of all time. It even includes some new stuff for the recently released ones. Pixel Watch!
Let’s get to the point then. The December Pixel Feature Discount comes free with VPN provided by Google One: Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners. VPN was “created to help ensure that your network traffic cannot connect to your identity”, including by Google. This service was already free for Google One members on Platinum plans (2TB and above), but is now also available to Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners regarding their Google One subscription status. Still, the VPN works through the Google One app.
Moving on, security and privacy settings have been merged in Android Settings, and this new section has action cards that inform you about security risks and provide easy steps to make things better.
Next up, Clear calling on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro improves the other caller’s voice and reduces background noise so you can hear them clearly even if they’re in a noisy place.
Pixel Recorder now identifies and tags each speaker and adds line breaks when the speaker changes, so when you record an interview or meeting, each person is individually tagged. It’s all done with machine learning, live while recording, and if anything goes wrong, you can retag the speakers if you want after you’ve finished.
As long as you activate (and keep) your Fitbit Premium subscription, Pixel Watch gets the Fitbit Sleep Profile feature. It’s free for six months for new Pixel Watch buyers, but after that you’ll have to pay ten per month to get features like this.
Sleep Profile gives you a high-resolution picture of your sleep quality at a glance, taking into account duration, consistency, disruption, and more, giving you the animal that best suits your sleeping style. Results will be adjusted monthly based on your personal measurements. For this to work, you need to wear your Pixel Watch in bed at least 14 days each month, so you’ll get the results on the first day of the next month. Then you better keep your charger handy.
this Pixel 6 and for 6 If you are getting cough and snoring detection that you can access from Bedtime mode. There are also new Pixel wallpapers and new tiles, including the Sunrise/Sunset tile from the Weather app for Pixel Watch. See details with a single tap.
The digital car key allows you to lock, unlock and start a car compatible with your phone and can be shared with friends and family who need access to that car. Google currently works on “Pixel and iPhone”, but promises it’ll be available on “select phones with Android 12+” soon.
Additionally Gboard gets French Grammar Check, Live Translation can translate texts in your messaging apps into Arabic, Persian, Swedish, Vietnamese and Danish (on Pixel 6 and newer), in-device search Pixel 4a and later, and Voicemail Translation did this on Pixel 4a and newer phones as well.
Google also says that spatial audio support will arrive for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 7 and 7 Pro in January. Pixel Buds Pro, also with wired headphones. As always with Google software updates, it may take days, if not weeks, for the December update to become available on all supported devices, so don’t fret if you haven’t already.
