Android
December 2023 Android Feature Drop: Video Boost, Watch Unlock, new camera modes, and more
Google has released a huge December 2023 Android feature drop for its Pixel devices. It brings several new features and improvements to enhance the Pixel experience. This update includes Video Boost, Watch Unlock, new camera modes, and more.
The update is available for Pixel 6 and newer, Pixel Fold, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Tablet. Users can check for the update in their Settings app. Here you can check all the new features of the December 2023 Android Feature Drop.
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Video Boost
Video Boost is a feature that enhances the video quality of the Pixel 8 Pro by using Google’s cloud processing capabilities. After recording a video, Google will upload a special format to its servers and apply HDR+ and other computational photography models to adjust color, lighting, stabilization, and graininess.
The result is a video that is more vivid, detailed, and lifelike. Video Boost also enables Night Sight Video, which lets users record in low-light conditions with rich color and detail.
Watch Unlock
Another feature that is finally available is Watch Unlock, which lets users unlock their Pixel phones with their Pixel Watch. When the watch is being worn and unlocked, the paired nearby phone will not require a password. Users can also lock their phone from their watch if it is unlocked accidentally.
New Camera Modes
The Pixel Camera app is also getting some new modes and tools, such as Night Sight timelapse, Portrait light balance, Photo Unblur for pets, Dual Screen Preview for Pixel Fold, and Clean for scanned documents.
Users can also use their Pixel 6 or newer, or Pixel Fold, as a webcam for their laptop or desktop by connecting them via cable.
New Watch Faces and Auto Call Screen
The Pixel Watch is also getting some siz new faces and complication styles, as well as Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Mode sync. Additionally, users can see a transcript of the conversation on their watch when using an auto Call Screen with a Tensor-powered Pixel phone.
Other features in the update include contextual Call Screen replies, Direct My Call and Hold for Me expansion, Clear Calling and Spatial Audio for Pixel Tablet, and more.
Google is preparing to bring contextual video search support to the Circle to Search feature. AndroidAuthority spotted strings in the latest Google app for Android suggesting the potential arrival of contextual video search support.
In the recent past, Google significantly improved the Circle to Search feature. It added quickly sharing clipped on-screen items, song search, and QR code scanning support. Now, Circle to Search is preparing to upgrade with video search support.
Google’s AI-powered Circle to Search tool will allow you to search within any video. You will be able to trigger Circle to Search on locally stored videos apart from those available on the internet and social media.
Earlier this year, Samsung debuted the Circle to Search feature with the Galaxy S24 series. The company announced that the function will remain exclusive to select Galaxy and Pixel phones till October 2024.
In the meantime, Samsung and Google updated their Galaxy and Pixel phones with Circle to Search feature. Galaxy phones received it with the One UI 6.1 update, while Pixel phones added it with the June 2024 Feature Drop.
Recently, Samsung released Circle to Search for Galaxy A55 and A35. The AI-powered search tool is now available on a wide array of Pixel and Galaxy phones. Google is also preparing to optimize it for Android so a vast audience can make use of it.
Google is working to make Circle to Search functional with messaging bubbles in Android 15. Currently, the unique way to search doesn’t function when a messaging bubble is active, but that will change in a future Android 15 release.
MishaalRahman spotted code in the Android 15 source code that enables Circle to Search to be run when messaging bubbles have been expanded. This development indicates that Google is aware of the limitations and working to address them soon.
Circle to Search won’t activate if you have a messaging bubble active on the screen. It renders the user opt for an alternate way to search like opening Chrome. It becomes frustrating if you have to search for something right from the chat bubble.
It’s worth noting that the required code debuted in Android 15 Beta 4. The company has not used it in Android 15 nor the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 release. Mishaal activated the feature manually by making some changes in the code.
Android currently doesn’t allow the home button or navigation handle to be long-pressed if a messaging bubble is active. Google would simply make improvements in this aspect so the handle/home button to be long-pressed.
Messaging bubbles
Google introduced the messaging bubbles feature in Android 11. This feature allows Android smartphone users to have active conversations floating as bubbles on top of other apps, making it easier to multitask while chatting.
Circle to Search is reportedly coming to more Android devices next month. In an exciting development, Tecno announced that the Circle to Search will be available on its new foldable, the Phantom V Fold 2, starting October 2024.
Samsung debuted Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24 series. It’s developed by Google in close partnership with the Galaxy maker. Google also expanded the feature to all of its Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones with Feature Drop.
We knew Circle to Search wouldn’t be available on non-Galaxy and Pixel phones till this October. Samsung already announced the availability of this feature will remain limited to certain phones made by either Samsung or Google.
It seems Samsung may have reached an agreement with Google. In order to showcase Galaxies supreme in the Android ecosystem, both firms may have restricted the expansion of the Circle to Search for at least 10 months.
Google has been regularly working to optimize Circle to Search for all Android phones. As it’s coming to Tecno phone next month, we expect other leading vendors including Xiaomi, Vivo, OnePlus, and OPPO will also be joined.
Well, Google hasn’t officially announced the expansion of Circle to Search. As Tecno is also a Google partner, this spirited claim couldn’t be untrue. Pay attention, Google has an ambitious plan to fuel 200 million Androids with Circle to Search.