GOOGLE has unveiled a selection of free updates sent to your Android phone.
They add new artificial intelligence functionsand even help you identify spam phone calls.
The upgrades come specifically for Google’s Pixel devices.
These are Google’s own brand smartphones powered by Android.
PIXEL UPGRADES
First on the list is the introduction of Twin Nano to Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.
Google explains: “Gemini Nano is Google’s most efficient AI model, built for on-device tasks.
“And starting today, you can use Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a to access Gemini Nano as a developer option. You can enable developer options in your Pixel’s settings.”
Secondly, the Summarize feature in Google’s Recorder app is now powered by Gemini on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, allowing it to display “more detailed and downloadable summaries.”
“It can detect and record the names of speakers, improving conversation transcriptions,” Google said.
“And with the ability to export transcripts to text files or Google Docs, so you can do things like Job interviews and college is made easy.”
You can now display content on larger screens with the Pixel 8a, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro.
Just connect it to a monitor via USB-C.
With Find My Device you can now locate your phone when it is turned off, even if the battery is dead.
There’s a new Pixel camera feature that automatically identifies “the best moment of your photo” in HDR+, making it easier to get a photo of you sharp and smiling.
If you don’t recognize a phone number, you can now find it directly from your call log.
And finally, it is now possible to manually choose the camera lens you want to use while shooting.
Google says this gives you “more control” to take the perfect photo.
FANFAVORITES
Fans responded very positively to the news.
The blog post even earned hundreds of votes on the official Android subreddit.
A Pixel phone owner wrote: “The lens selection is huge for me.
“It is sometimes so difficult to activate the telephoto, even when there is enough light.
“Plus, looking up numbers will save me a few taps. I’m looking forward to that too.”
Google Pixel Battery Tips – The Official Guide
Here’s Google’s official advice for Pixel owners on how to charge the battery even further…
Tip 1: Let the phone close apps that you are not using.
Tip 2: Keep your phone and apps up to date. Applications become more battery efficient with each new iteration, addressing bugs and glitches that unnecessarily consume power.
Tip 3: Turn down the brightness. Save your eyes by turning down the brightness of your phone and save battery life at the same time. You can also set your phone to the dark theme, which will turn your wallpaper black. It consumes less power and also relieves some of the pressure on your eyes.
Tip 4: Know which apps and activities are energy-draining. Pixel users should be aware of which activities drain their battery the most. Video calling and gaming top the list. Users should also close apps they have open but are not using.
Another replied: “YES! We recently got a small aquarium.
“And when taking a macro shot, the camera software CONSTANTLY switches between a good lens and a not-so-good lens for the given close-up.
“And somehow he always chooses the worst lens when I take the photo.”
“I feel like there was just a loss of function or it was something else. But honestly solid stuff. Love the manual lens feature,” said another.