Here's every new feature in the latest Pixel Drop

Google is finally rolling out its long-awaited Android 15 update for Pixel devices today. The Android 15 update brings many new features, like Private Space, app archiving support, and predictive back animations, but it also introduces some new Pixel-exclusive features. Here's every new feature that's part of the latest Pixel Drop, including both Pixel-exclusive and other new Android features.

Most of the new features in the October 2024 Pixel Drop are intended for Pixel phones, but there are some new features for Pixel watches and the Pixel Tablet as well. To make things easier, I've split this article by device type as well as made tables that list the availability of each feature on a per-device basis. An explanation for each new feature can be found below each table.

New features for Pixel phones in the October '24 Pixel Drop

• Night Sight for Instagram: The Instagram app can now tap into the Pixel Camera's Night Sight algorithm for better low-light photos. (If you're curious how, it's because Pixel phones provide a Camera2 and CameraX vendor extension for its Night Sight algorithm.)
  
  Edit: Google originally told us that Night Sight for Instagram wouldn't be coming to A-Series Pixel phones, but its blog post published today as well as a chart it shared on its support forums say it's coming to at least some A-Series Pixel phones. Google's blog post says it's available on Pixel 6 and newer Pixel phones, while its support forums post says it's only not available on the Pixel 6a. We've reached out to Google for clarity.

• Underwater Photography & Video: Pixel phones have had an underwater photography and videography mode for a while now, but Google says it has improved these capabilities on the Pixel 9 series (excluding the Fold). Specifically, Google says that colors now look "richer and more accurate." In addition, you can now use "any waterproof case" as opposed to specific Kraken Sports dive cases.

• Audio Magic Eraser: This feature, part of the Google Photos app, lets you turn specific sounds up or down and separate the voices of different people to adjust their volume independently. Google says it's available "globally" on the Pixel 8 series but onlt in limited markets on the Pixel 9 series.

• Astrophotography: Accessing Astrophotography is now easier in the latest Pixel Camera update. Just tap the Night Sight icon and then slide to Astro.
• Object Temperature Sensor: The Pixel Thermometer app now integrates a camera viewfinder that automatically detects what kind of object you're pointing the thermometer at. Plus, the app now supports live reads as well as the ability to capture and save measurements to recent results.

• Pollen Data Block: The Pixel Weather app is adding a pollen tracker. This tracker lets you check pollen index levels, pollen types, and forecasts. Currently, this information is available in France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.
• Pixel Weather App: Speaking of the Pixel Weather app, it's no longer exclusive to the Pixel 9 series. It's now available globally on the Pixel 6 and newer.

• Next Gen Call Screen: The newer version of the Call Screen feature, dubbed Next Gen Call Screen, that Google debuted with the Pixel 8 series last year is expanding to more countries. Specifically, it's coming to Japan and the UK. It's available on the Pixel 6 and newer.
• Widget Discovery: The Pixel Launcher now recommends categories of widgets and provides a preview of what those widgets can do for you.

• Adaptive Vibration: This feature uses your phone's mic and other sensors to determine the ambient sound level and then adjust the vibration intensity of ringtones, notifications, and alerts to the appropriate level. For example, if you're in a quiet environment like a library, your phone's vibration intensity will be reduced automatically. This feature can be toggled by going to Settings > Sound & vibration > Vibration & haptics > Adaptive Vibration.

• Gemini Extensions for Pixel Screenshots: If you want to find something you saved in the Pixel Screenshots app, you no longer have to open the app to do so. Instead, you can now ask the Gemini assistant directly thanks to its new extension for Pixel Screenshots. Just say something like, "Hey Google, use Screenshots to find the brand of sneakers I saved" to make Gemini search through the Pixel Screenshots app. This feature is available on the Pixel 9 series in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Australia, India, Singapore, and Malaysia.
• Notification Dismissals: You can now sync notification dismissals between your Pixel phone and your Pixel Tablet. This means when you dismiss a notification on one device, it'll automatically disappear on your other devices. You need to opt into this feature on each device and have each device be connected to Wi-Fi for it to work.
• Cast to nearby devices: In the next few weeks, you'll be able to transfer media from your Pixel phone to your Pixel Tablet with the "cast to nearby devices" feature. Just bring your phone close to your tablet to transfer Spotify songs or YouTube videos from device to device. This feature uses the ultra-wideband chip on your device, which is why it's only compatible with Pro Pixel phones. Google announced "cast to nearby devices" back at CES 2024, so we've been waiting on this feature to roll out for quite a while.

New features for Pixel watches in the October '24 Pixel Drop

• Contacts App upgrade: The new Individual Contact Tile lets you pick one contact to prominently display alongside quick actions to call them, message them, or open their contact page for more details.

• Emoji email reactions: You can now see and send some emoji reactions to emails from your Pixel Watch. This works with Gmail notifications and the app itself. You can, for example, send a thumbs up or smiley face as a response to an email.
• Loss of Pulse Detection: The Pixel Watch 3 can now identify when your heart suddenly stops beating due to cardiac arrest, poisoning, or respiratory arrest and then notify emergency services for help. This feature is already available for users in some EU markets (Austria, Denmark, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) but is now expanding to three more countries in the EU: Belgium, Italy, and Spain. It's not available for users in the U.S. as it has not yet been cleared or evaluated by the FDA.

New features for the Pixel Tablet in the October '24 Pixel Drop

Since the Pixel Tablet is Google's only tablet, I won't bother making a table for it, but here are the features it's getting:

• Panel Screensaver: Hub Mode is getting an upgrade on the Pixel Tablet to support the Google Home Panel, thanks to the new Home Controls screensaver. When enabled, your smart home controls are always available while your tablet is idle and charging. (It's worth noting that the Home Controls screensaver is also available on Pixel phones, but it doesn't integrate with Hub Mode on them since they don't have it.)

• Photo Frame Actions: Google says you can now share, favorite, or archive photos directly from the Pixel Tablet's photo frame screensaver.

• Clock Screensavers: Google is introducing some new clock screensavers on the Pixel Tablet.

In addition, the Pixel Tablet is also getting the Pixel Weather app (and its new Pollen Data Block feature) as well as support for notification dismissal syncing and cast to nearby devices.

Last but not least, Google is expanding Gemini to all Pixel Buds, including the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel Buds A-Series, and original Pixel Buds.