Google has finally started rolling out the October Pixel Drop along with Android 15 which brings a slew of new features for your Pixel phones, tablets, and watches. Some of the key updates rolled out as part of the October Pixel Drop include security features and camera improvements on Pixel phones.
Besides, the latest update also brings new ways to control your Pixel tablet, improved AI-powered features as well as health features for the Pixel Watch. Let’s not forget that the Mountain View giant has also started rolling out the most anticipated stable Android 15 update. Well, there’s a bunch of new stuff to talk about. so let’s get started.
Full list of features included in the October Pixel Drop
1. Theft Protection: Theft Protection includes a handful of tools that protect your device and data from landing on the wrong hand. The new feature part of the October Pixel Drop uses Google’s AI and phones’ motion sensor to lock your phone screen if it detects someone snatches your phone from hand and tries to run away.
In addition, this new feature will also lock your phone right after your device goes offline. However, you’ll need to enable these features. Besides, you can use the Remote Lock feature to lock your stolen or lost device using a phone number. On top of that, you can also wipe off data by choosing the reset device option. It should be noted that the new feature is now available for Pixel 6 series and above.
2. Pixel Weather app: The new Pixel app that recently rolled out to the latest Pixel 9 series is now available to older Pixel devices like the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series. The improved Pixel Weather app now adds a pollen tracker so you don’t have to worry about seasonal allergies.
It’s worth noting that the pollen tracker is currently available in France, Italy, the UK, and Germany. Besides, the updated Pixel Weather app now also gives an idea about the AQI and humidity level.
3. Private Space: If you have been waiting for October Pixel Drop to bring a new feature that keeps your sensitive apps safe and secure, today is the day. Starting today, Pixel 6 and newer models running Android 15 let you hide sensitive apps using a new Private Space.
4. Gemini with Pixel Screenshots: As you may know, Gemini has been integrated into most of Google’s products by now. Now, the company wants you to do much more using it, this time with Pixel Screenshots. You can now find something that you may have saved in the Pixel Screenshots.
For example, you can ask Gemini to find a brand of sneakers you saved in Screenshots and it will take you to that specific screenshot. You just have to long press the power button and ask Gemini to find things included in the Pixel Screenshots. Handy, right?
5. Improvements to Astrophotography: The latest update also enhances the Night Sight feature that now enables you to capture stunning shots of the night sky on your Pixel 6 and newer models. You can access this feature from the Night Sight slider by selecting the Astro option in the Pixel Camera app.
6. Improved Underwater Photography & Night Sight for Instagram: The latest Pixel 9 series now comes with improved underwater photo and video capabilities. You can use any waterproof case to capture more vivid and accurate colors while swimming or snorkeling.
The October Pixel Feature Drop also includes Nighty Sight for Instagram. With this feature in place, you can take stunning low-light shots from within the Instagram app.
7. Update to Thermometer App: The Thermometer app available on the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL just got updated. Now, it uses the camera’s viewfinder to display live temperature readings on almost any surface. Worth noting that these readings can be saved to your device just in case you need them in the future.
8. Widget Finder: Google is also rolling out a widget finder as part of the October Pixel Drop. If you have Pixel 6 and newer phones, you can now search for personalized widgets by long pressing on your home screen.
9: Adaptive Vibration: The new Android 15 feature uses your Pixel phones’ microphones and sensors to understand your surroundings and auto-adjusts the phone’s vibration intensity. This feature ensures that you never miss an important notification in a loud environment or don’t disturb others with that rattling sound when you are in a library or an office meeting. You can access the Adaptive Vibration feature on Google Pixel 7 and newer phones in the Pixel lineup.
10: Improvements to the Call Screen: The October Pixel Drop updates the Call Screen for good. The latest Call Screen now features a more natural-sounding voice and displays real-time text of what the other party on the call is saying.
Thanks to this update, you can also respond to appointment confirmations and reservations without even answering the call. Notably, the updated Call Screen is available right now for Pixel 6 and newer phones in the UK and Japan.
11. Audio Magic Eraser: If you have been struggling with distracting background sounds in a video, the Audio Magic Eraser feature is officially here to rescue you. Using this new feature, you can isolate and remove specific sounds, adjust volume, and even enhance voices for clearer audio.
12. Gemini Live: Google is also making Gemini Live widely available for all Pixel users with the latest October Pixel Drop. Apart from the English language, you can also converse with Gemini Live in German and Portuguese now.
New features for Pixel Tablet as part of the October Pixel Drop
If you have eagerly waited for Google all this time to treat the Pixel Tablet with new features, the day is finally here. Here’s a list of everything included in the Pixel Tablet’s October Pixel Feature Drop.
1. Cast to nearby Pixel devices: Google has announced that “in a few weeks” you’ll be able to cast media from your Pixel tablet to your Pixel phones. In theory, the feature will let you bring two devices close to each other which will enable you to seamlessly move whatever you’re playing on Spotify or YouTube music between two devices. Once available, you should be able to use the feature on the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet.
2. Notification Dismissal or Syncing: The new feature earlier spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 is now officially rolling out to Pixel tablets as part of the October Pixel Drop. With this new feature, you won’t get to see the same old notification on your Pixel tablet if you’ve already received it on your Pixel phone and vice versa.
3. Home Controls Screensaver: Android 15 brings a new Home Controls Screensaver for Pixel tablets as well as Pixel phones. The new screensaver appears on your Pixel tablet when it’s docked or charging and works with the Google Home app. The said screensaver has shortcuts to control your smart home devices right from the lock screen.
4. Share photos from Pixel Photo Frame: You can now share photos right from the digital photo frame with whoever you like. In addition, you can also choose from stylish new clock styles that match your vibe.
New features for Pixel Watch as part of the October Pixel Drop
1. Inviduvial Contact Tile: Now, you’ll find a new individual contact tile on all three generations of Pixel Watch. Google says the new tile “lets you pick which contact to prominently display and use quick actions to call, message, or open the contact for more details with just a tap.”
2. Send emoji email reactions: As part of the October Pixel Drop, Gooogle also added an ability to send and view select emoji reactions to Gmail notifications and in the Gmail app right from your Pixel Watch. This should be handy in situations when you can’t reply to the email immediately but want the sender to know that you’ve acknowledged it.
3. Expansion of Loss of Pulse Detection: The Loss of Pulse Detection feature earlier introduced to Pixel Watch 3 is now available in three more countries –Spain, Belgium, and Italy. For the uninitiated, this life-saving feature can detect when someone’s heart stops beating due to life-threatening conditions like cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or food poisoning.
Last but not least, you can now engage with Gemini right from your Pixel Buds without taking out your Pixel phone from your pocket. Additionally, you can also access Gemini Live from the Pixel Buds itself. The newest ability brought in by October Pixel Drop is available on the original Pixel Buds, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Buds A-Series.
Let’s not forget that all these features which are part of the October Pixel Drop have started rolling out today. However, it might take some time to appear on your device as always. If you want to know which Pixel phones would get these features, check out the image below.
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