Everything New in June’s Pixel Feature Drop A Comprehensive Guide
Google’s Pixel phones have become known for their consistent and timely software updates, including the monthly security patches and occasional feature drops. The most recent one, released in June 2021, brings a variety of new features and improvements to Google’s line of smartphones.
If you’re a fan of the Pixel phones or just curious about the latest updates, this guide will provide everything you need to know about June’s Pixel Feature Drop. From new communication features to enhanced camera capabilities, we’ll cover it all. So let’s dive in!
Improved Video Calls with Google Meet
The ongoing pandemic has made video conferencing an essential part of our daily lives. And with that, Google has been constantly working on improving its video conferencing app, Google Meet. With June’s Pixel Feature Drop, Pixel users will see several new features and enhancements to make their video calls smoother and more efficient.
Introducing auto-framing
One of the key additions in this update is the new auto-framing feature, which uses AI technology to keep the focus on the person speaking during a video call. This means that no matter how much you move around or how close or far away you are from the screen, the camera will automatically adjust to keep you in the frame.
This feature is especially useful for longer video calls, as you won’t have to worry about staying in the same position all the time. It also comes in handy when you’re multitasking during a call and need to move around. With auto-framing, you can stay focused on the conversation while the camera follows your movements.
To enable this feature, simply tap on the three dots menu during a video call and select “Auto-framing.” Keep in mind that this feature only works when your device is in landscape mode and requires a good internet connection.
Low-light mode for better visibility
Another significant addition to Google Meet in this update is the low-light mode. As the name suggests, this feature improves visibility during video calls in low-light environments. With this feature, your camera will automatically adjust the brightness and contrast levels to make sure you’re visible even in dimly lit rooms.
To activate the low-light mode, tap on the three dots menu during a video call and select “Low light.” This feature works best when there’s minimal lighting in the room, so make sure not to use it in well-lit environments.
Enhanced live captions
Live captions have been a part of Google Meet for a while now, providing real-time subtitles during video calls. However, with the latest update, Google has improved the accuracy and responsiveness of live captions. This means that you’ll see fewer errors and delays in the captions, making it easier for everyone to follow along during a call.
You can turn on live captions by tapping on the three dots menu during a video call and selecting “Captions.” Keep in mind that this feature is currently only available in English and may not be available for all participants in a call.
Improved Communication with Smart Reply and Smart Compose
Google is known for its AI capabilities, and the Pixel phones are no exception. The June Feature Drop brings improvements to two of Google’s most popular AI-powered features – Smart Reply and Smart Compose. These features aim to make communication more efficient and seamless, and with the latest updates, they just got even better.
Faster responses with Smart Reply for more apps
Smart Reply uses machine learning to provide suggested responses to messages, emails, and notifications. With the latest update, Google has expanded the availability of Smart Reply to more messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Slack. This means that you’ll now see suggested replies in more of your daily communication apps, saving you time and effort.
The suggestions offered by Smart Reply are based on the context of the message and your previous responses, making them more personalized and useful. You can simply tap on a suggested response to send it, or customize it before sending if needed.
Smarter suggestions with Smart Compose in Google Messages
Smart Compose, which offers predictive text suggestions as you type, has been a part of Gmail for a while now. And with June’s Feature Drop, it’s finally making its way to Google Messages. This feature works similarly to Smart Reply, but instead of suggesting responses, it suggests complete sentences or phrases based on the context of your message.
For example, if you’re typing “Are you free for dinner tonight?” Smart Compose may suggest “Want to meet up for dinner tonight?” This saves you time and effort in typing out the full message, especially for commonly used phrases and sentences.
To enable Smart Compose in Google Messages, go to Settings > General > Smart Compose and turn on the toggle next to “Smart Compose.”
Improved Photography with Astrophotography Time Lapse
Pixel phones have always been praised for their camera capabilities, and with each update, Google manages to make them even better. The June Feature Drop brings enhancements to the already impressive astrophotography mode, along with a new feature – astrophotography time lapse.
Longer exposures in astrophotography mode
Astrophotography mode was introduced with the Pixel 4, allowing users to capture stunning shots of the night sky. With the latest update, Google has increased the maximum exposure time from 4 minutes to 20 minutes. This means that you can now capture even more detailed and breathtaking images of the stars and constellations.
To use astrophotography mode, open the camera app and point it towards the night sky. Make sure your device is stable and placed on a tripod or flat surface, then tap on the shutter button. The camera will take multiple shots over a period of time and combine them to create a single, stunning image.
Introducing astrophotography time lapse
Along with the improvements to the existing astrophotography mode, Google has also introduced a new feature – astrophotography time lapse. This allows you to capture a series of photos over a period of time and combine them into a time-lapse video, showing the movement of the stars in the night sky.
To use this feature, open the camera app and go to “More” > “Timelapse.” Then, tap on the “Settings” icon and select “Astrophotography.” Set the duration for your time lapse (up to 20 minutes) and tap on the shutter button to start capturing. Once it’s complete, the camera will automatically create a time-lapse video for you to save and share.
Enhanced Safety and Security with Locked Folders and More
Google takes user privacy and security seriously, and the latest Pixel Feature Drop includes several new features and enhancements to improve safety and protect sensitive information.
Keep sensitive photos and videos secure with Locked Folders
The Pixel phones come with a pre-installed Files app, and with June’s update, it’s getting a new feature – Locked Folders. This feature allows you to keep selected photos and videos in a secure folder that requires a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint to access.
To enable Locked Folders, open the Files app and go to “Collections” > “Locked Folder.” You’ll be prompted to set up a security method, then you can select photos and videos from your device and move them to the locked folder.
Easily check app permissions with the new Privacy Dashboard
Another important addition to the Pixel Feature Drop is the new Privacy Dashboard. This feature provides a comprehensive overview of all the app permissions on your device, making it easier to manage and control how apps access your data.
To access the Privacy Dashboard, go to Settings > Privacy > Privacy Dashboard. You’ll see a breakdown of permissions for each app and how often they have requested access to your data. From here, you can easily revoke or modify permissions as needed.
Improved password management with Password Checkup
The Password Checkup feature, first introduced in February’s Feature Drop, has received some improvements in June’s update. This feature checks for any compromised passwords saved on your device and prompts you to change them for better security.
To enable Password Checkup, go to Settings > Security > Password Checkup. Keep in mind that this feature only works if you have autofill enabled and use Google’s password manager.
More Customization Options with New Wallpaper Categories
Customization options are always a hit among smartphone users, and with the latest Pixel Feature Drop, Google is making it easier to personalize your device with new wallpaper categories.
Explore new wallpaper options with “Come Alive” and “Living Universe”
The new “Come Alive” category features live wallpapers that react to taps and swipes, adding an interactive element to your home screen. The “Living Universe” category offers stunning landscape and aerial view wallpapers from around the world.
To explore these new wallpaper options, go to Settings > Display > Styles & wallpapers. Scroll down to “Wallpapers” and select the category you want to browse.
Automatically change wallpapers with Device Personalization Services
Along with the new wallpaper categories, Google has also introduced the Device Personalization Services app, which uses AI technology to automatically change your wallpaper based on the time of day, location, and more.
To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Display > Styles & wallpapers. Under “Wallpapers,” tap on “Device themes” and select “Change automatically.” You can then choose the frequency of wallpaper changes, such as every day or every time you unlock your device.
Conclusion: An Exciting Update for Pixel Users
June’s Pixel Feature Drop brings a variety of new features and enhancements to Google’s line of smartphones, making them even more attractive options for Android users. From improved communication and photography capabilities to enhanced privacy and customization options, there’s something for everyone in this update.
If you own a Pixel phone, make sure to update it to experience these new features and improvements. And if you don’t, this update just might convince you to switch to Google’s flagship devices. We can’t wait to see what Google has in store for us in the next Feature Drop!
