Google’s November Pixel Drop updates Call Screen, HiLight

Google detailed several updates heading to Pixel phones this month with the company’s November Pixel Drop. This upgrade will bring several new features to Pixel phones and even bring some features from newer devices to older hardware. Upgrades include better Call Screen, Gemini Intelligence on more devices, and more.

First up, the November update brings improved Call Screen to the Pixel 11 series. Google says that Gemini will now ask unknown callers why they’re calling in a “more conversational manner” than before. Moreover, Google said this would come to the Pixel Watch 4 and 5 soon.

Pixel Watch owners are getting some other bonuses as well. Google says the November update will allow users to automatically unlock their Pixel Watch when they unlock their phone. Further, the Pixel Watch 3 and newer are getting step-by-step workouts.

Pixel 10 series gets Rambler

In a big win for Pixel 10 users, Google is finally expanding Gemini Intelligence to those devices. Not to be confused with Personal Intelligence, Gemini Intelligence leverages data from users’ Google accounts to inform Gemini’s answers.

While only sort of available in Canada, the Intelligence upgrade will allow Pixel 10 users to access features like Rambler (an improved speech-to-text function), proactive suggestions (also coming to Pixel Watch 4 soon), and more. Features like completing multi-step tasks, however, are not available in Canada.

Elsewhere, the update brings new customizations to Pixel devices, like the ability to add more styles of Custom Icons. Pixel search on the Pixel 6 and newer devices is also getting better and can now search “across your phone – from vacation photos and recent emails to messages, calendar events, and device settings.”

HiLight now works with Google Messages

Another notable update is to the Pixel 11 series’ HiLight feature, which is getting slightly more useful (emphasis on slightly). HiLight now supports Google Messages and will glow when you receive a message from a favourite contact. I still can’t believe HiLight launched without this capability, but at least it’s finally here. (Hopefully Google can open up HiLight to work across all apps in the future.)

For those among us who tend to misplace things, Google’s Pixel Tag is finally here. Starting Nov. 11, the Pixel Tag will be available in Canada starting at $39.99. Stay tuned for more on the Pixel Tag once MobileSyrup gets some hands-on testing time.

Image credit: Google

Source: Google