- Latest Google Pixel Drop Brings Major Updates
- These include improved Circle to Search and AirDrop compatibility
- Some features are exclusive to the Google Pixel 10
Hot on the heels of Samsung’s Unpacked event that gave us the Galaxy S26 series devices with a suite of new AI-powered software, Google has announced new Android features on Pixel phones, including a few new S26 toys.
They will arrive in the next Pixel Drop rolling out to Google’s phones, although some updates will be limited to the latest generation Pixel 10 or require an additional app download. We will highlight them as we go along.
There are plenty of updates on the way, but here we’ve picked the best six from the Google Pixel Drop announcement.
Look on it
1. Find your next outfit with Circle to Search
Circle to Search shines as a tool for finding clothes you see in person or online. Just circle the person in the photo and the AI will help find similar shirts, skirts, and shoes for you (along with anything else it can see they’re wearing). This works great, but it can be a little tedious to search for every element of an outfit if you want to emulate someone’s entire look rather than just individual elements.
With the new outfit search option, Circle to Search will search for an entire fit in one go – giving you a few options for each item of clothing as it tracks them down – and if you provide the app with a selfie, you can even use the AI to try on the look virtually.
The only disappointment is that this feature is currently limited to Pixel 10 phones.
2. Magic Cue can help you with social plans
Much like Samsung’s new Now Nudge feature, Magic Cue can analyze your text chats to deliver helpful AI automations without you needing to switch apps. For example, if your friends want to meet next Saturday at a bakery near a theater, Magic Cue will appear above your phone’s keypad with Gemini automation to search for bakeries in that area open on the weekend that you might suggest.
The main difference with Now Nudge is that it doesn’t appear to use your calendar or other information to inform its suggestions, although that might happen later.
3. Application currently playing
Now Playing is one of the best phone tools for music lovers. It makes it easy for your Pixel to identify and find the songs it hears when you’re on the go. With the latest version of Pixel, it now has a new home in a dedicated Now Playing app.
This app will not only identify what’s currently playing, it will also keep a log of the tracks you’ve heard throughout the day and offer links to where to find them on your streaming service of choice.
As a Samsung convert, Now Playing is the feature I miss the most, and I’m even more jealous of Pixel users because of this addition.
4. AirDrop on Pixel?
Taking inspiration from Apple instead of Samsung for this next entry, Pixel phones’ Quick Share is now more widely compatible with Apple’s AirDrop so you can easily and securely send photos, videos, and files between Pixels, iPhones, iPads, and Macs without an Internet connection.
This expands on a feature launched by the Google Pixel 10 last year to make working and sharing across different devices even easier.
5. Find my luggage
Another Apple-like feature, this time inspired by the AirTag, a new Share Item Location feature in Find Hub will allow you to share the location of your lost tracker with others.
Google highlights how handy this will be for locating lost luggage, as you can share the location with an airline if your bag is misplaced, but you can also choose to stop sharing its location at any time.
6. Hands-Free Watch Controls
Finally, we have a Pixel Watch upgrade that lets you control your smartwatch without needing to touch the screen.
One-handed gestures let you answer calls or listen to music by pinching twice with the hand your watch is on, or reject calls and notifications with a flick of your wrist.
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