In 2024, Made by Google introduced major updates to Pixel phones with new features on six occasions. This year saw everything from regular operating system updates to entirely new apps and even rebrands.
january feature drop
The year in Pixel updates began with a January feature drop – delivered via app update – that coincided with the launch of thepeppermintPixel 8 and 8 Pro.
The key addition allowed the Pixel Thermometer app to record body temperature. Readings are taken from your forehead and can be saved to the Fitbit app. Circle to Search launched on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, while Google Messages added Photomoji and Magic Compose (powered by the on-device Gemini Nano) out of beta. Google also highlighted the Quick Share rebrand (from Nearby Share).
This release was ultimately better than waiting for the next quarterly cycle. We have yet to see another unscheduled drop, but this is a good precedent, especially as a surprise.
march feature drop
we return to normal rhythm March with Pixel Feature Drop matched with Android 14 QPR2This major OS release introduced an expandable Bluetooth quick settings tile and the Material U volume slider. While casting or screen sharing, we get the option to capture only one app.
“Hello?” appears on the call screen. Received button to prompt the caller, while “I’ll be right there” results in “Just a sec, checking with the person you called.” Google has made the Pixel tablets official gboard voice toolbar Lets you use speech-to-text without opening the entire keyboard. (It would be nice to have this on the phone.)
june feature drop
The Pixel 8a launched a month ago but it only had one extra audio emoji In the Pixel Phone app.
Pixel 8 series receives big updated in june with DisplayPort support for connecting to external screens via USB-C, while the 8 and 8A got the Gemini Nano after Google said earlier It wasn’t coming for recorder summaries and better Gboard smart replies.
on camera (version 9.4) On the front, Google introduced improved HDR+ frame selection on the Pixel 6+, while the Pixel 6/7 Pro and Fold received manual lens selection.
Android 14 QPR3 This was not a major update as this version was nearing the end of its cycle with only various changes to the Settings app. One particular regression was how Gboard lost the granular keyboard vibration control for the on/off toggle. The Android webcam also received a high quality mode.
Pixel 9 series launch
pixel 9 series launched Breaking the precedent with Android 14. Some features like the revised screenshot preview UI introduced during the Android 15 beta were backported. Ultimately, Google got a pass due to the phone launching months ago, but that shouldn’t happen again. We have since learned that the next version of Android (16) is launching Q2 2025 Instead of Q3/4.
Along with the Pixel 9, Google released three new apps:
- pixel screenshot: Google is indexing your screenshots for easy search/recall. This is a good, practical application of AI, whose underlying purpose – including manual collection – is to address a common problem.
- pixel studio: Image generator with on-device diffusion model running on Tensor G4 and Imagen 3 in the cloud. The sticker maker from existing images is an underrated aspect of the app. We are still waiting to create images that include humans.
- pixel weather: Google has created a weather app for Pixel devices that includes both AI summaries and cityscape backgrounds. It is a simple client with ample customization. However, it desperately needs widgets that are not shared with Google apps. A wider range would also be nice.
Gemini Live has been heavily advertised as an aspect of the Pixel 9 series, but Conversation Mode was never really that special as all Gemini Advanced customers got it on Android devices At the same timeGemini Nano was also launched with multimodality.
The larger Pixel phone app includes on-device call notes to get a summary of the conversation, though people are happy to eventually get the transcript. Clear calling quality has been improved, as has Satellite SOS.
on camera (version 9.5), we have:
- add me Allows everyone to be in the (composite) image without asking someone else to take the picture.
- panorama redesign With photo spheres that inspire the design. (It remains to be seen whether spherical capture makes a comeback in the Android XR era.)
- magic editor Lets you re-frame a shot, while Reimagine lets you add/change anything in a photo.
- video boost Night Sight videos are processed twice as fast in the cloud as a result of the update.
- super race zoom video Up to 20x.
Android 15/October Drop
android 15 Private Space was introduced, while Predictive Back was enabled by default. All devices picked up the redesigned screenshot and copied text preview in the lower-left corner, as well as a Home Control screen saver. By default, Bluetooth will “automatically turn on tomorrow” when you disable it. On tablets and foldables, you can have a persistent taskbar and the ability to save app pairs (also on phones)
Meanwhile, “Pixel Feature Drops” has been renamed to simply “pixel drops(This was far from necessary.) Underwater photography and video recording came to the Pixel 9 series with any waterproof case, while all devices got a dedicated slider to access Night Sight.
Adaptive vibration takes into account the sound level in your current context to reduce loud sounds of ringtones, notifications and alerts.
Meanwhile, Pixel Weather became available for the Pixel 6+, while the new Pixel Thermometer UI with live camera previews came to the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8 series has also received an Audio Magic Eraser upgrade that lets you adjust specific sounds and voices.
december drop
Finally, Google ends the year with a Pixel update December 2024 Drop And Android 15 QPR1,
- Android 15 QPR1:Content: Settings redesign, limit up to 80% charging optimization, status bar chip for casting, screen recording and sharing, thicker Pixel 9 status bar, globe icon when keyboard is open
- pixel screenshot:The first major update of the app has been added gboardCircle to Search, and Google Wallet, as well Auto-Classification Filter
- pixel studio:Google is throat The sticker aspect with Gboard integration
- pixel recorder, clear voice To reduce background noise.
- GeminiExtensive rollout of: message, phone, spotifyAnd utilities extension
- call screen:Gemini Nano-powered relevant answers on Pixel 9 series, while all devices can see live transcript for automated call screen
- simple view
- playing now, album artwork
- identity check: When you’re in a new location (non-trusted location), face/fingerprint authentication before changing your device’s passcode, theft protection and other sensitive settings, as well as accessing the password/passkey. It has not yet been widely implemented
- pixel camera:Dual screen portrait mode on foldable is coming to the original fold with made you look. Absolutely, version 9.7 Quick access controls are also introduced to make it easier to access white balance, brightness and shadows.
- pixel tablet: lockscreen widget, VPN by Google Access, desktop windowing developer options
Finally, Google officially announced an additional two years of Android OS updates for the Pixel 6 and 7 series for a full five years.
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