Pixel owners will definitely be busy discovering several new features thanks to the release of Android 15. However, Google’s latest Pixel Drop for October brings even more features to new and newer devices. As usual, this quarterly update covers several devices ranging from the Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 9 Pro Fold along with Google ecosystem products such as the Pixel Watch and the Buds series of TWS headphones. It’s wise to note that while Google has added a few features for older devices in the Pixel range, features like Gemini Live are only available on select devices, languages and countries.
Google’s October Pixel Drop) begins rolling out in phases today. If you don’t see it yet, don’t panic, it should appear soon.
Gemini updates
For starters, Gemini Live is now more accessible if you own a pair of Pixel headphones. Owners of a Google Pixel Pro or A-series headset can now simply say “Hey Google, let’s talk” to start a conversation with the AI assistant through their headset, which has recently been made available for free to all Pixel users. The regular Gemini assistant now also works with the Pixel Screenshots app, which lets you find things in your screenshots with the push of a button.
Updates for Pixel phones
The Audio Magic Eraser tool that debuted with the Pixel 8 Pro last year and arrived in “enhanced” form with the Pixel 9 series is now appearing on the Pixel 8 series of smartphones. Owners of the Pixel 9 series (except the 9 Pro Fold of course) will now see improved photography and video recording with richer and more accurate colors.
Google claims to have added some major improvements to astrophotography in night mode and it’s available to users from the Pixel 6 onwards. Night Sight is also making its way to Instagram, allowing Pixel owners to take Night Sight shots directly from the Instagram app.
The Temperature app available on the Pixel 8 Pro, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL will now let you use the viewfinder as a guide to see exactly what you’re pointing it at. Google has also added thematic recommendations for widgets in the form of widget categories (Social, Entertainment and more).
Updates for Pixel watch and tablets
All Pixel Watch owners can now set up a new individual contact tile with quick actions to call, send a message or open a contact. Users can also send or react to emojis (for the Gmail app) directly from their Pixel Watch. Google’s Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which is only available on the Pixel Watch 3, is now available to users in Belgium, Italy and Spain.
It’s now easier to cast media (instead of using the cast icon) from your Pixel Tablet or Pixel 9 Pro Fold to your Pixel phone. The new feature will arrive in the coming weeks, but basically it allows users to stream media from one device to another simply by bringing a Pixel phone closer to a Pixel tablet. Pixel tablet users will also be happy to know that notifications will sync across their Pixel phone and tablet, meaning they simply need to dismiss a notification on one device rather than two separate devices.