Google’s Pixel phones, particularly the more expensive Pro variants and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold, are renowned for their design and photography excellence. Don’t overlook the software, however, since it often plays a significant role in setting them apart from other Android phones.
Now that Google is focusing on new AI capabilities in its newest Pixel devices—particularly the newly revealed Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL—that is more true than ever.
New features are added to Pixel phones rather often since Google usually refreshes them every few months. The $499 Pixel 7A, $499 Pixel 8A, $699 Pixel 8, $999 Pixel 8 Pro, $799 Pixel 9, $999 Pixel 9 Pro, $1,099 Pixel 9 Pro XL, and $1,799 Pixel 9 Pro Fold are the eight Pixel versions that Google offers.
Some of these functions are compatible with older smartphones, while others are limited to phones that employ Google’s most recent Tensor processor, so you may not need the company’s newest Pixels to use them. Remember that a software upgrade or an update to Google’s applications and services may be necessary for some of these capabilities.
Additionally, Google adds additional features to its Pixel smartphones over time, so it’s possible that more may be added in the next months. These suggestions can help you get the most of your smartphone, whether you want to use Google to screen your calls or edit up old images.
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The Google Pixel 8 costs $699.
Look through your screenshots for anything.
How many times have you gone through your pictures to locate a screenshot you took so you could save it for quick access later? With the new Screenshots app for the Pixel 9 family, Google is attempting to address that issue by allowing you to search for anything inside your screenshots in addition to storing them. You may use the screenshots app and enter the search box to find the Wi-Fi password or purchase confirmation number you took a screenshot of.
Take a picture of the whole group.
Google has a new, but maybe unpleasant, way to solve the challenge of getting everyone in a group shot, including the photographer. With the Pixel 9 series, a new function called Add Me was introduced that creates a picture with everyone in the frame by combining two images. Simply launch the camera app, choose Add Me, and then adhere to the on-screen instructions. A photograph will be taken, and then the phone will be passed to another group member to snap a second one.
Draw a circle around anything to find it.
As the name suggests, Google’s Circle to Search tool allows you to start a Google search by just dragging your cursor over almost any item on the screen. Do you see some delicious sushi on Instagram? To locate sushi eateries in the area, just circle it. It is compatible with Pixel 6 and later models.
Touch and hold the home button or navigation bar at the bottom of the screen to utilize Circle to Search. Next, around the item you want to look for with a circle. Almost immediately, the results should show up in a panel on the screen.
Find a caller you don’t recognize
Google included a feature that allows users to search for a phone number directly from the recent calls menu with its June 2024 Pixel update. To use the Lookup option, just touch the phone number in your call log. The Pixel 6 and subsequent models include this functionality.
Utilize the Pixel 8 or 9 Pro to take your temperature.
Temperature sensors are included in the Pixel 8 Pro, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL. It may be used as a contactless thermometer to take your body temperature in addition to measuring specific items like a cup of tea or coffee. To begin, just launch the Thermometer app and adhere to the on-screen directions. In order for the Pixel’s temperature sensor to detect your temporal artery, you must move the phone over your forehead and toward your temple, unlike a conventional contactless thermometer. See our whole article for additional information on how to use the thermometer app.
Modify a person’s face in a picture
With the Pixel 8 and later, you may change a person’s expression in a picture by using a feature called Best Take. Only when taking many consecutive shots of the same image does this functionality function. For instance, you may replace your face with one from another picture in the collection if you chance to shut your eyes in the greatest one. Open a suitable image in the Google Photos app, then hit the Edit button and choose Tools to use it. The Best Take choice ought to appear after that.
Use the macro focus to take better close-up pictures.
You can take close-up pictures in macro mode if you have a Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 8, or later. It doesn’t need you to activate a particular setting or switch to a certain mode, in contrast to most camera capabilities. Simply launch the Camera app on one of the phones listed above, then hold the device up to the object you want to take a picture of. When macro mode is enabled, a yellow flower symbol ought to show up. To disable macro mode, tap the flower symbol.
Resize or move items in a picture.
Magic Editor is another photo-editing tool that was introduced with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro last year. This program allows you to move or resize certain items, people, and pets in a picture, as the name suggests. To begin editing a picture, just launch the Google Photos app, choose the desired image, and click the Edit option.
To open Magic Editor, touch the vibrant picture icon in the left-hand corner. To choose a person or item in a picture, touch and hold on to it once you’re in this mode. After that, you may drag it to a different part of the picture or pinch-to-zoom to change its size. When you’re done, click the arrow in the lower right corner of the screen and watch as your changes are completed.
Since then, Google has made the tool available to users with a Premium Google One subscription, so a Pixel smartphone is no longer required. The Google Photos app on iOS and Android offers 10 Magic Editor saves every month to users without a subscription or who own a Pixel smartphone.
Create a cinematic wallpaper out of a picture.
Any picture in your collection may be made into a cinematic wallpaper if you own a Pixel 6 or later. Google highlights the topic in the front of the photograph by applying a 3D effect. This feature, in my experience, works best on images that are obviously centered on one or two persons.
Tap the Wallpaper & style option in the settings menu on your Pixel phone to give it a try. Click on Change wallpaper, choose My Photos, and then touch the picture you want to use as your new background. Toggle the option next to “Create cinematic wallpaper setting” after tapping the symbol that resembles three stars.
Use Live Caption to add subtitles to videos.
You may be surprised to learn that your Pixel phone can automatically caption conversations, podcasts, movies, and more. To activate this function, press the volume button and hit the Live Caption symbol, which resembles a little text box.
Any Pixel phone released in the previous several years should be able to use Live Caption because it is compatible with Pixel 2 and later models that support English. Google claims that the captions are processed and stored locally, never leaving your device.
Additionally, you may change certain settings, such labeling noises like applause and laughing and concealing foul language. To change these settings, go to Settings and choose Live Caption. Additionally, keep in mind that Live Caption might use up more energy, so you may want to only use it when absolutely necessary.
You may take a picture by just lifting your hand.
Taking a picture doesn’t always require pressing the shutter button. If you have a Pixel 6 or later, you may just raise your hand to the camera to begin a picture countdown timer for 3 or 10 seconds. This may be very helpful for taking group pictures.
To begin, just launch the Google Camera app and press the settings icon located close to the top of the screen. Next, choose whether to set the timer for three or ten seconds. Now, once the camera detects your palm, the timer ought to begin automatically.