Are you tired of your phone feeling stale? Do you wish your Pixel could do even MORE? Then get ready, because the latest Pixel update is here, and it’s packed with features designed to make your life easier, more creative, and even safer!
Aisha Sharif, Product Manager for Pixel Phone, is excited to announce a wave of new functionalities rolling out to your devices, bringing a fresh burst of innovation just in time for the holidays. Let’s dive into what’s new:
1. Transform Your Photos Directly in Messages with ‘Remix’
Imagine being able to instantly spice up any photo right within your text conversations. That’s the power of Remix in Google Messages! Starting now, you can edit and reimagine photos with a few taps, adding stickers, text, drawings, or even using AI to generate entirely new elements. And the best part? Everyone, regardless of their phone type, can see your creations. Yes, even those in your group chats!
Remix leverages Nano Banana, Google’s own Gemini image generation and editing model, to make this magic happen. But here’s where it gets controversial… some users are concerned about the potential for misuse, like creating misleading or inappropriate content. What do you think? Is the fun worth the risk?
If you’re chatting with another Google Messages user, you can even collaboratively remix the same image back and forth, creating a fun and dynamic experience without ever leaving the app.
2. ‘Wicked: For Good’ Theme Packs: A Sprinkle of Magic for Your Pixel
Get ready to make your Pixel truly unique with the new ‘Wicked: For Good’ theme packs! Inspired by the beloved musical, these packs allow you to customize your phone with wallpapers, icons, system sounds, and even GIFs. Choose from three distinct styles – “For Good,” “Glinda,” and “Elphaba” – to instantly infuse your device with a touch of magic. With just a tap, your Pixel can reflect your inner witch (good or wicked!). These theme packs are available for download until January 31, 2026. However, they are not yet available in Japan, but are coming soon!
3. AI-Powered Notification Summaries: Cut Through the Clutter
Feeling overwhelmed by endless notifications? Your Pixel is now smarter than ever, offering AI-powered summaries of your longer conversations. Lengthy text threads across various chat apps are now easily condensed into digestible recaps in your notification shade. This is perfect for quickly catching up on busy group chats and long conversations, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. And this is the part most people miss… It’s not just about convenience. It’s about reclaiming your attention and reducing digital overwhelm.
But that’s not all! Coming in December, your Pixel will further reduce notification overload by intelligently organizing and silencing lower-priority alerts, saving you from unnecessary interruptions. Important note: This is only available for Pixel 9 and above (excluding Pixel 9) in English.
4. Stay Safe from Scams with Chat Message Alerts
Protect yourself from potential fraud with the new Scam Detection feature! Pixel 6 and newer phones (in the U.S.) can now warn you about potential scams directly within chat notifications from many popular apps. This feature automatically displays a “Likely scam” alert for suspicious messages, giving you an early warning to help you avoid falling victim to fraud. Scam Detection isn’t foolproof, so always exercise caution, but it’s a valuable layer of protection.
5. Prioritize Your VIPs with Upgraded Tools
Your closest friends and family deserve VIP treatment, and now your Pixel delivers! Message notifications from your VIPs are now prioritized, ensuring you stay connected throughout the day and never miss an important message. Additionally, with your safety in mind, VIPs will now have a crisis badge in the Contacts widget, keeping you informed about critical alerts. It is important to remember that this is available for Pixel 6 and above. Availability may vary by country and language.
6. Personalized Photo Edits in Google Photos: Say Goodbye to Bad Photos
We’ve all been there: the perfect group shot ruined by closed eyes or sunglasses. Now, Google Photos can fix those issues with personalized edits! Simply open the Google Photos app, select the photo, tap “Help me edit,” and ask Photos to make specific changes, like “Remove Riley’s sunglasses, open my eyes, make Engel smile and open her eyes.” Photos will use other pictures in your gallery that you’ve labeled and organized in your face groups to ensure a personalized, natural look.
You can also make other fixes, such as removing a hat or changing a smirk to a smile. Eligible Android users in the U.S. can try asking Photos to apply these personalized edits.
7. Power Saving Mode in Google Maps: Extend Your Battery Life
Going on a long road trip? Get more out of your battery with the new Power Saving mode in Google Maps while driving. Simply press the power button to activate a simplified layout, displaying only key information like next turns. You’ll still have directions for your long trip while extending your battery life by up to four hours.
8. More Regions Gain Access to Fan-Favorite Pixel Features
Great news for international users! Google is expanding the availability of some of Pixel’s most helpful features. Scam Detection, which uses powerful AI to detect and warn you of common scam tactics during phone calls, is now available to Pixel 9+ users in the U.K., Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada.
Furthermore, users in more regions, including Australia, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Japan, can now access Call Notes. This fantastic feature uses Gemini Nano on-device to record your calls, take notes, generate a transcript and summary, and even suggest next steps based on your conversation, making information easily retrievable and actionable.
9. Magic Cue Delivers More Timely Suggestions
Magic Cue is getting even smarter, delivering more timely and relevant suggestions powered by Google’s new Private AI Compute in the cloud. This cutting-edge platform combines the speed and power of advanced Gemini models with the same user security and privacy assurances as on-device processing.
For the full list of features arriving on your devices this November, check out the official community forum post.
So, what do you think of these new features? Are you excited to try Remix in Messages? Do you agree with Google’s approach to AI-powered notification summaries? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!