Google has started rolling out the latest Pixel Feature Drop to its devices. The March Pixel feature is now available for download and applies not only to Pixel smartphones, but also to Google’s new Pixel Watch. In addition to bundling the March security patch, the update brings many fixes, new features, and improvements. While some features like the improved Night Sight are only available on Tensor-powered smartphones, some like Magic Eraser are now more widely available. The update is around 500MB in size and is rolling out to supported Pixel smartphones in India.
Faster Night Sight, initially available on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, is finally available on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The feature, which uses advanced algorithms with Tensor processors to reduce night scene long exposures when shooting people or landscapes in low light, is now also available on the latest Pixel models. Google claims this results in sharper, less blurry photos in low-light shooting scenarios, but surprisingly isn’t available for the tensor-powered Pixel 6a.
Magic Eraser is another feature that has been phased out of the Pixel 6 series and is now available for non-tensor smartphones. This feature still requires users to subscribe to a Google One plan. The software feature available through Google Photos mainly allows users to remove unwanted people or objects from a photo using Eraser and Camouflage editing tools.
Although not yet available in India, many users in the US will be happy to know that Pixel devices (up to Pixel 4a now support My Direct My Call. This feature basically allows users to avoid waiting times and long and confusing IVR options). it offers users the same on-screen menu that makes it easier to navigate those calls and provides quick access to the right extension.
New to the Pixel is the built-in Health Connect app, which brings together all of a user’s health and fitness data in one place, like a privacy dashboard. Although the app is available as a separate download, Google says its integration into the software makes it easier to control which apps can access health and fitness data on a user’s device.
Another handy feature of the latest Pixel is the ability to monitor timers on devices. Those with more than one Pixel or Google device can now set timers on one device and monitor them on other Google devices, such as Google Home or a compatible Nest device. The “At a Glance” widget on smartphones provides information about the timer and sends notifications when the timer goes off.
The much-anticipated feature transition to the Pixel Watch, announced at launch, is complete with this feature. Google’s fall detection feature is finally coming to its Pixel Watch and will detect if the user has had a hard fall and connect them to emergency services if necessary. Google is also rolling out new sound and display settings to the Pixel Watch in the “coming weeks.” These settings allow people who are hard of hearing or have special visual preferences to customize the sound and display of the Pixel Watch to suit their needs.
The March update also brings 5G connectivity to Pixel users in India. Gadgets 360 can confirm that you can use Jio’s 5G services by enabling it in the phone’s Settings app.
Among the minor updates, Google now allows users to use their Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones as a digital car key. Fast Pair support is now being extended to select Chromebooks, and new emoji combinations have also been made available in Emoji Kitchen via Gboard. Additionally, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners can now use dual eSIM cards with dual SIM dual standby.
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