In September, Google announced Pixel Drop, bringing a host of new features to Pixel smartphones and tablets. In addition to a design overhaul, the update includes enhanced AI tools and improved content sharing capabilities to enhance the user experience.
First, the Pixel 6 and newer models and Pixel tablets are getting a "Material 3 Expressive" design. You can now add animations based on weather or shapes to the user lock screen, and the call screen is now customizable for each contact. The Quick Settings UI has also been redesigned to be more intuitive and sleek.
Gboard has also gotten a major AI boost, with new AI writing tools that can change the tone of a sentence to be more polite, expressive, or concise. It can correct spelling and grammar, as well as proofread entire messages at once. All of this is done on your device for greater privacy.
Emoji functionality has also evolved, with the Emoji Kitchen allowing you to explore different emoji combinations or remix your own. We've also introduced the ability to save your favorite emojis as favorites, giving you more ways to express your emotions.
The music and video sharing features also stand out. LE Audio Bluetooth allows you to connect two headphones to a single smartphone so you and a friend can listen at the same time. You can also open a private audio broadcast with multiple people via a QR code, allowing for new uses like a "silent disco" where you can listen to music together.
Sharing photos and videos has never been easier with Quick Share. You can preview the content you're sending, easily switch between sending and receiving modes, and see the real-time progress of the transfer, taking the frustration out of the sharing process.
Pixel Buzz Pro 2 also adds Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the volume to match your surroundings, and Hearing Protection, which reduces sudden noises. It also includes a feature to reduce background noise during conversations with Gemini, and you can answer or reject calls with a nod or shake of your head.
When Pixel Watch users launch Google Maps Navigation, routes will automatically appear on their smartwatch, allowing them to get directions without having to pull out their phone.
Finally, we're also introducing Androidify, a new feature that lets users create their own Android bots using their own selfies and simple text prompts. It's the result of combining Google's image generation model, Imagen, with video generation model, Veo 3, and Gemini 2.5 Flash.
This update is a clear example of how we're moving beyond simple feature improvements to deliver more intuitive and creative experiences for Pixel and Android users. The update will begin rolling out on September 3 and will be available to Pixel users and Android as a whole.
