Android and Pixel devices: Google brings new AI functions

Thanks to AI support, Android devices are set to become even more helpful. Google has announced several improvements.

(Image: Google)

Dec 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm CET

2 min. read

By

Martin Holland

Google is bringing new functions to its Android devices and Pixel smartphones. This should make it easier to share images on Instagram and Snapchat, and the GBoard on-screen keyboard should be able to combine even more emojis. The recorder is also getting an update, thanks to which noise and distractions are automatically reduced –, at least on the latest Pixel 9 devices.

In the USA, the automatically generated subtitles will also soon include references to emotions, expressed for example with capital letters or the mention of recognized sounds. Thanks to AI, image descriptions can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice and photos can be shared using QR codes. In addition, photographed documents are now displayed much more sharply thanks to AI.

Combine more emojis with each other

There are further additions exclusively for Pixel devices. Thanks to the new "Simple View", you can improve usability with a larger font and better touchscreen sensitivity. There is also a new theft protection for traveling now available as a beta version. The "Identity verification" feature only allows you to change sensitive settings once you have authenticated yourself, for example with a fingerprint. On all Pixel 6 and newer devices, the display changes to the music currently playing.

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A number of new features are initially only available for people in the USA and other selected markets. For example, calls in the USA can be answered even more comprehensively by an AI, which can be given text instructions for the answers. You can listen in on the calls. In addition, a screenshot app for the latest Pixel 9 devices, which is only available there, has been improved. Parents with a foldable smartphone from Google can look forward to new animations designed to make children laugh when taking photos. Google presents all the changes in its own blog.