Google routinely releases feature drops for its Pixel phones, and as an early holiday present, the company on Monday released a December update[1] with several notable new features.
The December update is rolling out now for all supported Pixel phones with current security and performance improvements. However, also included in the update are several new features along with the expansion of features to older Pixel phones.
For example, the Pixel 5 launched with a Hold For Me feature that would use Google Assistant to wait on hold for a Pixel 5 owner whenever they called a toll free business number. With today's update, Google is expanding Hold For Me all the way back to the Pixel 3. The same goes for Extreme Battery Saver, a tool that would limit which apps can run when your phone's battery starts to run out of power in an effort to extend battery life.
Google's Duo video calling app is getting screen sharing in group calls thanks to the latest feature drop. You'll need to be connected to Wi-Fi or a 5G network in order to use it.
Google Photos is getting a new tab when editing a photo that will show you suggestions for editing a photo.
Perhaps the most notable improvements involve how your phone's wireless connection, battery use, charging, and audio quality.
Adaptive Sound, for instance, will use your phone's microphone to evaluate the acoustics in the room you're in and fine-tune the equalizer settings for "certain" apps. This kind of capability is something that's normally reserved for high-end smart speakers but makes complete sense to have in a phone.
The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A (5G) are gaining new Adaptive Battery settings that will judge if you're likely to miss your next typical charge and