One of the best parts of owning a Google Pixel smartphone is the software. Pixels have always gotten priority when it comes to the newest Android features, including several features that are exclusive to them. The best part is that new software features find their way to Pixel devices on an almost monthly basic through Pixel Drops.
The March Pixel Drop has just landed, and with it come several new features, some of which are pretty darn good. We’ll talk about the new Scam Detection, the awesome streamer-oriented Connected Camera, a new life-saving feature on the Pixel Watch, and more.
March’s Pixel Drop Brings a Lot of New Goodness to Google’s Flagship Smartphones
It’s the month of March, and with that comes a new Pixel Drop. The Google Pixel 9 series is still the latest offering from the manufacturer, though we expect the Google Pixel 9a to show up later this month. Before then though, let’s take a look at the new features Google is releasing.
Scam Detection Will Guard You Against Fraudulent Calls and Messages
Scams are annoying and are the work of people who have nothing better to do than swindle people out of their hard-earned money. While a lot of us know the most familiar scam patterns, some people don’t. In fact, there’s always a new scam or two as time goes by, so it can be hard to stay vigilant.
Thanks to Scam Detection in this Pixel Drop, on-device AI will listen to your calls and let you know if the pattern of conversation from the other person aligns with typical scam patterns. Once detected, your phone can let you know via an audio or vibration alert, with a pop-up explaining that the call is likely a scam. You can turn it on in the settings for the Messages or Google Phone app.
Connected Cameras Lets Streamers Use External Cameras
Google’s Pixel smartphones have amazing cameras. However, as much as you might want to praise them, they sometimes lack things you can get with certain external cameras. If you want to stream from your Pixel but you’d prefer to use an external camera to do it, Google is now supporting streaming using certain external cameras, such as a GoPro.
The Pixel Watch 3 Will Get Loss-of-Pulse Detection Before the End of March
When the Google Pixel Watch 3 was announced, we were told that it was the very first smartwatch that could automatically alert emergency services when it was able to detect the wearer’s loss of pulse. However, the feature was not immediately available to those who had purchased the Google Pixel Watch 3.
However, by the end of this month, it will start to rollout. Most people won’t need this feature, but for those who eventually might, they’ll be glad they had it.
Find My Device Gets Location Sharing
Everyone has loved ones, whether friends, family, or partners. A lot of the time, you’ll want to know where they are, whether just to check in on them or in case of emergencies. Find My Device has gained a new location sharing features that makes it possible for you to easily share your location with trusted contacts and have them do the same for you.
