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March 2022 Pixel feature drop is out now (Update: Pixel 6 series now getting it)
- The tenth Google Pixel feature drop rolled out to Pixel 3a devices and newer on March 7.
- However, Google Pixel 6 devices didn’t get the update until March 21.
- The update includes some new features as well as existing features landing on more Pixels.
Update, March 21, 2022 (02:22 PM ET): The Pixel feature drop described in the original article below is now rolling out to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. This represents a two-week delay as compared to the rest of the active Pixel line.
Original article, March 7, 2022 (01:00 PM ET): Google started doing feature drops for its various Pixel phones in 2019. Today, the company is rolling out the latest. This particular drop is significant as it’s the tenth overall.
The March 2022 Pixel feature drop is available now for the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a. Unfortunately, folks who own a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro will need to wait a while. Google says the drop for these phones will come later this month.
History lesson: All Google Pixel phones released so far
As usual, the drop includes several new features related to smartphone cameras. There are also plenty of new AI tricks, a new widget, and some nifty new features for various Google apps. There are also a few existing Pixel features rolling out to older models.
Check out what’s in store below.
Google Pixel feature drop for March 2022
- All currently supported Pixels
- Live Caption during phone calls no longer requires you to talk. Instead, you can read what the other person says and type back a response. Google Assistant will read out your typed responses to the other person(s) on the call.
- You can host YouTube watch parties all on your phone.
- You can share apps with live sharing for Google Duo using only your phone.
- English speakers using Messages can now convert typed words into colorful stickers.
- The At A Glance widget will now tell you battery levels for Bluetooth-connected devices, reminders to turn off alarms the day before a holiday, and earthquake alerts.
- There is also a new standalone battery widget that gives you battery information for your phone and connected devices.
- Three new wallpapers are available in the Curated Culture collection, this time celebrating International Women’s Day.
- Pixel feature drop for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro only
- Night Sight now works right within the Snapchat app.
- Interpreter Mode within Live Translate can translate face-to-face conversations in Spanish, Italian, and French right on your phone. All translations stay on-device. Try it by saying, “Hey Google, be my [Spanish/French/Italian] interpreter.”
- Your phone can now identify Spanish in videos and translate it automatically into English, French, Italian, German, and Japanese (but it’s still in beta).
- The Recorder app can now transcribe Italian and Spanish.
- Assistant Quick Phrases are available in Spanish, Italian, and French.
- Pixel feature drop for Pixel 5a and earlier only
- Direct My Call and Wait Times are both now available on older Pixels.