Google is rolling out a fresh update for Pixel devices today, improving everything from Google Photos, astrophotography, and Digital Wellbeing. For Pixel pros and novices alike, there's a lot to dig into.
Over the past year or so, Google's made a conscious effort of regularly updating Pixels with 'Feature Drops' every few months. Pixels are always first-in-line for major Android updates once per year, but with these smaller patches, Google can keep the Pixel experience feeling fresh and exciting beyond that. Previous Feature Drops have added underwater photography, Adaptive Charging, and more.
With this latest update rolling out now to Pixels, Google has quite a lot on the table. For starters, the Locked Folder feature for Google Photos is now available for Pixel owners. This was announced during Google I/O in May, and it allows users to lock certain photos and videos in a folder that can only be accessed with a PIN or biometric authentication. Anything stored in a Locked Folder won't show up in the main Google Photos library or when using the search tool, making it easy to hide sensitive content that doesn't need to be available for everyone to see.
Pixel Owners Can Now Take Timelapse Shots Of The Night Sky
While the addition of Locked Folder is likely what most Pixel users have been looking forward to, something else to check out is a new feature called 'Astrotimelapse.' It's an extension of the Astrophotography mode that was introduced in 2019, but with Astrotimelapse, users are now able to take timelapse videos of the night sky. Simply open the Google Camera app, tap the 'Night Sight' mode, put the Pixel on a tripod (or something else to stabilize it), and then press the shutter button. Along with taking a photo, Night Sight will now simultaneously capture a short video as well. Astrophotography was already one of the most impressive features of the Pixel experience, so the fact that Google's expanded on it with this latest update is particularly exciting.
Other items included with this latest update aren't as groundbreaking, though they are still worth mentioning. For example, Google is adding a new tool to its Digital Wellbeing suite that will keep folks alert of their surroundings while walking and using their Pixel. Similarly, Google is expanding its car crash detection to users in Spain, Ireland, and Singapore. Gboard is getting upgraded, too, with Google saying it will "make smart suggestions when copying and pasting from Clips, providing more convenience for users as they copy text." And, last but certainly not least, Pixels are getting a new batch of Pride-themed wallpapers and ringtones just in time for Pride Month.
Source: Google