In a surprise move,Googlehasannounced new updatesto the Pixel and broader Android ecosystem in the form of a July Pixel Drop. This update provides a trio of new additions: a free year of Google AI Pro + Veo 3 forPixel 9 Proowners, new Circle to Search improvements, and the long-awaited arrival of Gemini on Wear OS.
This set of updates arrives approximately four monthsafter the previous Pixel Feature Drop, which brought Gemini Live improvements, real-time Scam Detection, and other Android platform additions to compatible devices back in early March of this year. In recent years, Google has settled on a timeline of one new feature drop every few months, though it doesn’t commit to a specific roadmap.
Google’s March Pixel Feature Drop is here: what’s new?
Google has unveiled its March Pixel Feature drop, with tons of new features and an upgrade to Gemini Live.
Pixel 9 Pro owners get Google AI Pro free for a year
This free subscription period also includes Veo 3 video generation capabilities
Pixel 9 Pro
The Pixel 9 Pro brings a new squared-off design, the Tensor G4 chip, and new AI features like Pixel Screenshots to Google’s flagship smartphone line. It’s available starting September 4th.
Starting off, Google is offering a full year of its AI Pro subscription at no cost to all Pixel 9 Pro users, which unlocks all the latest-and-greatest features within the Gemini app for Android. Notably, this includes the company’s newVeo 3 video model, which leverages generative AI to create short videos out of your existing photo library.
For reference, Google AI Pronormally costs $27 per month, with a one-month free trial. The subscription service offers AI filmmaking tools, 1,000 monthly AI credits, access to NotebookLM, Gemini across Gmail, Docs, and Chrome, and 2TB of cloud storage.
Google only mentions the Pixel 9 Pro by name when it comes to this AI Pro + Veo 3 offer – it’s unclear whether thePixel 9 Pro XLandPixel 9 Pro Foldare included under the Pixel 9 Pro umbrella, but I’d wager to bet that they are.
How to talk to Gemini Live, Google’s lifelike voice assistant
Gemini Live, Google’s new voice mode for its AI assistant, is available on iOS and Android, but you’ll need the right subscription to access it.
Circle to Search gets leveled up
An AI Mode and gaming help tools are both on the way
Circle to Searchis a handy AI-powered Android tool that Google launched last year. The feature lets you draw a circle around points of interest on your screen, which then surfaces context-aware actions and relevant information.
Now,Google is powering up Circle to Searchby adding AI Mode and mobile gaming help to the mix. The former allows you to ask follow-up questions and to dive deeper into more complex queries via web search, and the latter can surface gaming insights, strategy tips, and other useful snippets of information within Android games.
Google says this bolstered Circle to Search experience is rolling out now. AI Mode will be available in the United States and India, while gaming help will be available in any country where AI Overviews has already launched (a full list of countries, territories, and languages can be foundon Google’s official support page).
What is Google Circle to Search and how does it work on Android?
Google’s latest AI feature is coming to the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24. Here’s everything you need to know.
Gemini finally lands on WearOS
Google’s flagship AI assistant finally arrives in wrist form
Pixel Watch 3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 builds on the previous model, introducing a new 45mm size along with the original 41mm watch. Both options feature a larger display with double the brightness.
Finally, after much anticipation, Google isbringing its Gemini AI assistant to Wear OSdevices for the very first time. Using natural language, you can use your voice to inquire about anything without having to whip out your phone to do so. The feature supports the ‘Hey Google’ activation keyword, and a Gemini app will display on your watch screen. Alternatively, you can press and hold the side button on a supported watch to invoke the assistant manually.
Google says Gemini AI in its new wrist incarnation will be rolling out “over the coming weeks” to select Wear OS watches from Pixel, Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi. Eligible smartwatches must be running Wear OS 4+, with full native support on Wear OS 6 watches.
The Pixel Watch 3 is the first Wear OS device I’d use over an Apple Watch
In its third generation, Google’s smartwatch has really hit its stride.
