The latest Google Pixel Drop is here with several upgrades for your Pixel phone. Some are small-scale, but there are two larger improvements to Google Messages and Google Maps that Pixel owners should pay attention to.
Google Messages is getting two upgrades, including the addition of the AI-based Remix feature and improvements to Scam Detection. Meanwhile, Google Maps now has a new power-saving mode. More on both below.
What’s new in Messages
(Image credit: Google)
Remix is a generative AI tool that originally debuted in Google Photos in August and lets you change the style of images in various cartoon styles. Remix utilizes Nano Banana to generate the images.
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The version in Google Messages lets you and another Google Message user “remix” the same image back and forth without having to exit the app. The tool offers four styles: 3D, anime, sketch and comic book, available to users with a Pixel 6 and above as well as “all other Android devices.” Google says Remix messages is available in English first in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland and New Zealand, but only if you have RCS enabled.
Scam detection is the other feature, and Google says it will now warn users about potential scams when they get chat notifications. Like scam detection for voice calls, it will tag messages with a “Likely scam” alert on suspicious texts. As of this writing, Google has not released a list of what apps with chat will be scanned by this feature.
Save power in Maps
(Image credit: Google)
Google’s own press release isn’t highlighting this feature, but we think the new power-saving mode in Google Maps is a feature that will be very helpful for people, especially when your battery is low.
People discovered this feature around Halloween, but it wasn’t clear when it would launch. Unfortunately, at release, this tool is only available for Pixel 10 phones. From what we can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any technical reason Google can’t port it to other Pixel or Android devices.
Power saving mode works by turning maps into a simplified, monochrome view. You’ll see only key information like the next turns and the path. And you’ll still have access to directions. Users can access the feature by pressing the power button.
Earlier leaks suggested the version in the backend only showed you directional instructions like “Head south” or “Head North,” which isn’t 100% useful in a place you don’t know. However, based on the above image provided by Google it does look like the launch version will display which street you need to go to next.
It’s not clear from Google’s release if the feature will utilize voice navigation or public transit directions. Tom’s Guide has reached out to Google for clarification.
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Wicked, VIP and Photos summarized
(Image credit: Google)
Google Photos on all Android devices is also getting a new AI feature that helps you edit your images. You can select the image and then tap “Help me edit” and then ask the app to do things like remove sunglasses or “open eyes” if someone in the image has their eyes closed in a group shot. Google says Photos will use other images in your gallery that you’ve labeled in face groups to ensure “a personalized and natural look.” The company says you can also ask the app to remove hats or, for example, change a smirk to a smile.
For musical fans, Google has partnered with Universal to bring “Wicked: For Good” themed packs to Pixel phones. These packs include wallpapers, icons, system sounds and GIFs. There are three styles: For Good, Glinda and Elphaba.
(Image credit: Google)
Most of these updates are coming to Pixel 6 and later phones but some like Notification Summaries and Call Notes are only available for Pixel 9 and above. Notification lets the phone summarize longer texts across chat apps and then recap them in the notification bar. Google says that in December, the operating system will be able to prioritize notifications and silence low-priority ones.
Call Note is now available in more regions, including Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Japan. Call Notes uses Gemini Nano to record calls, generate transcripts and summaries and provide AI-based next steps based on the conversation.
Finally, friends and family that you have designated in your contacts are now considered VIPs and get priority, ensuring you don’t miss a message. VIPs also have a new badge you can tag them with in the event of a crisis, like a wildfire, to make sure you stay updated with critical alerts.
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