Google's newest Pixel Feature update brings ultra-wideband support.

Because Google has focused on pushing Android 12 out the door, we haven’t seen a full Pixel Feature Drop in a while. Last week, all Android smartphones received a performance boost, with improvements to widgets, Photos, Assistant, and more. But if that wasn’t enough for you, you’re in luck. The first Pixel Feature Drop update since the release of Google’s flagship phones has arrived, bringing with it a flood of new features for all currently supported devices.

‘Pixel Face’ Filter:

Snapchat’s Quick Tap to Snap, which was first announced alongside the Pixel 6 in October, is now accessible on the Pixel 4a 5G and subsequent smartphones. It opens instantly to the viewfinder using the Quick Tap shortcut on the phone’s back, allowing you to capture all of your temporary images and videos faster than ever before. In addition, Snapchat is releasing a new “Pixel Face” filter that is only available on these phones, with additional lenses coming in future Feature Drops.

A new accessibility function to the Sound Amplifier app:

This update has added a new accessibility function to the Sound Amplifier app to enable folks who are hard of hearing to communicate more effectively. To eliminate background noise, Conversation mode uses on-device machine learning. Simply point your camera towards the person with whom you are conversing, and the app will do the rest. Although it is still under early access, Pixel users may utilize it as early testers right now.

Bass control and Network:

Finally, there’s a smorgasbord of fresh material worth mentioning. Improved bass control for the Pixel Buds A-Series is now accessible directly from the partner app on any Android 6.0+ device. The Pixel 6 Pro now supports ultra-wideband. And also Nearby Share has been improved to make transmitting material to other compatible phones quicker and safer. In the customizing menu, there are new wallpapers commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In Taiwan, Italy, and France, car collision detection is now available, and the Recorder app now understands German, French, and Japanese. Finally, you may change the length of Google Assistant’s power button activation.

Now Playing new features:

Now Playing is still one of the coolest Pixel-only features. And it’s now even better with a number of new enhancements. First, if music hasn’t been automatically detected, you may now manually search for it, like Shazam. Obviously, you need an active internet connection for this operation, but it is still useful to have. Second, with the Pixel 4 and subsequent devices, you can add detected songs to a favorites list immediately from the lock screen, which is accessible through your Now Playing history. Both of these features have been leaked recently, and it’s fantastic that they’ll be available on phones starting today.