Google Pixel's New Feature Drop Adds AI And More

Google dropped several new updates for Pixel phones, watches, and tablets recently, including AI, smart home improvements, transcription, and external monitor support.

As noted in the blog post, Google promises the host of upgrades across its ecosystem will roll out now and over "the next few weeks."

Gemini Nano, Google's on-device mobile AI, is headed to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a devices, powering things like summaries for Recorder and new Voice Transcription capabilities for the handsets. The company is also adding external monitor support via USB-C, offline Find My Device abilities, AI-powered face detection and optimization in photos (plus a way to choose specific lenses when taking a picture), and a new way to look up unknown phone numbers.

The Pixel Watch also gets a serious upgrade: Car crash detection is now on Pixel Watch 2. PayPal is also coming to Google Wallet as a payment source, and Google Home gets some updates, as well. You can now access Google Home favorites on your watch, along with controlling smart home devices right from your wrist.

Pixel tablets now get richer doorbell notifications, and you can now talk and send quick responses to your Google Nest Doorbell with your docked tablet. There's also a new smart home widget for tablets, as well, giving you better access to your smart gear.