Alongside Android 15 QPR2, Google today announced the March 2025 Pixel (Feature) Drop with a slew of first-party app updates, as well as new camera and connectivity features. The OS and application updates are rolling out starting today.
- Find My Device adding ‘People’ location sharing, Android Auto getting full games, more
Google is confirming that the latest Gemini Live is powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash. There are improvements in understanding and multilingual conversations, including the ability to speak in any combination of 45+ languages without having to select in settings ahead of time.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 6+ is rolling out the ability to Talk Live about images, files, and YouTube videos. Google also highlighted the upcoming Live camera and screen sharing capabilities powered by Project Astra.
The Pixel 9 is getting a “Connected Camera” capability that allows you to connect a GoPro HERO10 Black and newer or Pixel 6 to livestream from different angles. You will get a floating vertical pill that lets you select the various paired cameras and add new devices, with support for social apps like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The connection is happening over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The Pixel Fold series now supports Dual Screen mode in video mode to let who you’re capturing see the recording on the external display. Meanwhile, Dual Screen mode on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold now supports Add Me for easier alignment.
Satellite SOS is expanding to Hawaii and Alaska in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe on the Pixel 9 series. Service is free for two years, with users able to contact emergency services when there’s no cellular connection.
Meanwhile, those on T-Mobile and Verizon can access carrier satellite messaging. Supporting 911 and texting other people, this is available on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
On the first-party apps front, Pixel Studio on the Pixel 9 series can now generate images of people. This follows Gemini rolling out Imagen 3 people generation to the free tier.
Meanwhile, Pixel Screenshots will automatically suggest items for your Collections. You can approve screenshots in the new “Suggestions” carousel with a checkmark or delete it. Google is now making the app available in your Work Profile on the Pixel 9 series in English, Japanese, and German.
With the March 2025 Feature Drop, Pixel 9 series users in Japan can now access Pixel Screenshots, Studio, and Recorder’s AI summaries. In Pixel Weather, they’re getting AI weather reports and the pollen tracker card. Similarly, German owners are getting Pixel Screenshots, Studio, and AI Weather reports.
Meanwhile, the Phone by Google app is getting real-time Scam Detection to detect suspicious patterns commonly used by bad actors. Your phone vibrates and makes other sounds to get you to check the “Likely scam” warning. With the March Feature Drop, it’s launching for the Pixel 9 series in the US and powered by on-device Gemini Nano with Multimodality.
Similarly, Google Messages Scam Detection will show a card directly in the conversation if “common scams” are detected. You can quickly “Report & block” or mark “Not a scam.” This is launching first in English in the US, UK, and Canada
Finally, the Gboard Voice Toolbar is rolling out to phones after launching on the Pixel Tablet.
- Pixel Watch Feature Drop: Improved step tracking, Menstrual Health, more
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