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June's Pixel feature drop for smartphones is live: Here's what's new
- Google has released its Pixel feature drop for June 2023.
- For smartphones, the drop improves emergency sharing, adds cinematic and emoji wallpapers, and makes the Pixel’s recorder smarter.
- Only the Pixel 7 Pro will get the Macro Focus video feature.
Google tends to do feature drops every quarter, bringing new features and improvements to its Pixel phones. And that time has come once again. What new features did the tech giant deliver this time around? Here’s what’s coming your way. Note that we’re only covering the new phone features here. For updates to the Pixel Watch and Fitbits, check out our wearables-focused coverage of the drop.
In total, there are six new features coming to the Pixel line, as well as a handful of improvements. One of those new features is Safety Check and emergency sharing. This feature makes it easier to start emergency sharing or to schedule a safety check when you feel unsafe with your voice. Speaking of emergency sharing, Crash Detection can now share your real-time location and call status with your emergency contacts.
Announced during Google I/O earlier this year, Pixel users will finally get to try out the much anticipated Cinematic and Emoji Wallpaper features. Google says its Cinematic Wallpaper uses AI to turn your 2D background into a dynamic 3D background. The Emoji Wallpaper feature, on the other hand, makes it possible to mix and match over 4,000 emojis with different patterns and colors.
In addition, Google is giving labels to the Pixel Recorder app. Now users will be able to export transcripts to Google Docs. After exporting, you’ll be able to generate speaker-labeled video clips. You’ll also be able to search for speakers with those recordings.
Unfortunately, some features won’t make it to the entire Pixel line. The Pixel 6 and newer phones are getting a palm timer feature. This feature lets the owner hold up their palm to the camera to initiate a photo timer. And exclusive to the Pixel 7 Pro, users are getting a Macro Focus feature that will allow them to capture videos in detail.
As for improvements, you can expect to see tweaks to multi-device controls, smart features, and new Google Assistant voice options.
Let us know in the comments below what you think of the Pixel feature drop for June 2023.