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Google’s latest Pixel feature release for March 2024 is here, bringing a ton of exciting new features and improvements to your favorite Pixel device. Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
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Due to the platform’s somewhat confusing QPR or quarterly release phase, the “normal” feature delivery contains more than a few notable additions. If you’ve signed up for QPR Beta, these won’t be new to you, but they will be new to everyone else. There’s a lot new here if you weren’t already tuning into our beta coverage, so buckle up…
Pixel call screen becomes more interactive
Unwanted calls? No more! The Pixel’s call screen is getting a little smarter with new options to deter unwanted calls. For example, if the line goes silent when you accept a call, there is an option that shows you a soft “Hello?” to ask the caller to answer. One of the main benefits of this is that it could save you from unwanted unwanted calls or annoying sales pitches.
Google has also added another AI-powered no-nonsense response that will let you tap to tell the caller “I’ll be there right away.” If you want to speak to the person you dialed, this could buy you some time if you are otherwise late or perhaps unable to speak at that time. Your phone will respond to the caller “One second, check with the person you called,” which seems more human and similar to how a receptionist or personal assistant might handle an unwanted call.
Faster headphone pairing
Fast Pair gets even faster with the March 2024 feature release and Android 14 QPR2. Now, any Bluetooth headphones or accessories saved to your Google Account will be conveniently listed under “Previously Used with Account” in Settings, making it easy to reconnect and check battery status.
You can tap the Bluetooth QS tile once and this will also list these recently used or saved devices. It’s not limited to just headphones, so it’s great for quickly switching and saving digging through menus to connect.
Ultra-quality Instagram uploads for Pixel 7, 8 and Pixel Fold
If you use Instagram a lot, there’s no need to be jealous of iOS users anymore, as Pixel 7, 7 Pro, Fold, 8, and 8 Pro users can now also upload stunning Ultra HDR photos to Instagram and vibrant 10-inch HDR photos. bits. reel video.
Ultra HDR images improve the brightness of the lighter parts of your images, and in theory you should get more vibrant colors compared to a regular HDR+ photo. When you watch an Ultra HDR video it tends to look incredibly bright on your screen. This means that when you are browsing you will immediately know what type of content has been recorded using this recording mode.
Just remember to enable both settings in the Pixel Camera app by heading to Camera Settings > Advanced > Ultra HDR.
Search circle expands
Circle to Search is not technically new. It’s been rolling out to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro for a few weeks, but now it’s coming to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with the March 2024 feature drop. Unfortunately, Google has shelved the Pixel Fold at least for now. It may not be useful for everyone and Circle to Search needs to be enabled, but it is a good option that could even replace reverse image search for many people simply for convenience.
Improved typing on the Pixel tablet
The Pixel tablet has a new Gboard voice toolbar that provides quick access to emojis and settings while using voice to text. It is an additional option that is more visually responsive on large screen devices like Google’s tablet hardware.
When active, the entire keyboard is minimized and a pill-shaped toolbar appears in its place. This smaller section includes a keyboard recovery button, a mini emoji keyboard shortcut, an additional menu to access Settings, and the Assistant voice dictation button. You can move this toolbar anywhere on the screen so it never interferes with the content.
Updates for the first generation Pixel Watch and more
The first-generation Pixel Watch is getting some serious, overdue love with the March 2024 Pixel feature release. Some of the apps included with the Pixel Watch 2 are being backed up, including the Fitbit Relax app for guided breathing exercises.
Google finally added automatic training mode that will activate when you do things like go for a run, ride a bike, or start swimming. One downside to our testing is that it can sometimes take around 10 minutes to detect an outdoor walk, and a message appears on the Pixel Watch to let you know once detected. You’ll still get more accurate tracking if you start a workout manually rather than relying on this option in our experience.
Two other options coming to the first-generation Pixel Watch are Pace Training and Heart Zone Training modes. These are designed to help you improve your overall physical health. For regular weight training, I’m not really sold on the option. However, runners can be coached to improve with guidance on how to pace themselves or track heart health during workouts.
Although announced at MWC, public transportation directions in Google Maps are now available on Wear OS. This has been an annoying omission for the Pixel Watch and Wear OS, as the navigation would ignore buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation. When you start a route, you will get complete data on what options to take and the time to your destination taking this information into account.
Benefits of Android 14 QPR2
The March 2024 Pixel feature drop also includes some interesting features that make the jump from the Android 14 QPR beta phase. Not all of these will be new to any Pixel hardware fans, but they are still tied to this particular update:
Record screen or stream a single app
Screen recording and casting become more granular with the “single app” option, and a new Quick Settings tile lets you share Wi-Fi with a tap. Additionally, the privacy indicators for microphone and camera access now offer a “Close this app” shortcut for better control.
Visual settings
The Pixel’s weather lock screen clock now shows active alarms and Do Not Disturb, while the Pixel tablet’s taskbar highlights app search while multitasking. App names in the Pixel Launcher grid can now span two lines, and several controls in Settings have been updated to the new Material You style.
At the bottom of the app info, Android now indicates the package name after the version number, while the Force Stop icon now looks like a “STOP” street sign instead of a warning triangle . There is also an adjustment to the volume slider that removes the line frame for a rounded tubular padding that makes little to no difference to the overall usability of this common control section.
In Settings > System > Software, which replaces “System Update,” there is a more user-friendly “Your Pixel is up to date” screen that links to the Play Store’s “Manage apps and device” page. On the Material You front, several on/off controls in the Settings app have been updated to the new style, which is narrower and features a nice checkmark icon to indicate that everything is up to date.
Fast shared Wi-Fi
A super small but significant addition is a new quick settings tile for a “Wi-Fi Sharing” shortcut. I love this and it just makes life easier for connecting other devices or people to a network.
Improved privacy controls
Google also updated the microphone and camera privacy indicators with a “Close this app” shortcut when you tap them. To access it, open Quick Settings, tap the green pill in the top right corner, and close the app that infringes your privacy.
Hold your horses, America!
Here’s a slight hiccup with the March 2024 Pixel feature drop: the US launch is scheduled for March 11, while the rest of the world gets it sooner. But hey, at least you know what to expect!
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