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Google Announces Several New Android Features

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Dec 5, 2024, 1:08 PM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social
updated Dec 5, 2024, 1:36 PM

Updated: Added mention of — and link to — Pixel Drop news.

Google is rolling out multiple new or enhanced features for Android outside of the version-number update cycle. While many involve Google's Gemini AI, the features address disparate functionality.

Expressive Captions is a major update to the existing Live Caption feature of Android. It adds emotion, nuance, and context to captions. Human noises like sighing, grunting, and gasping will now be spelled out. Emphasis will be noted in all-caps. Finally, ambient sounds like applause will be noted. Live Caption works at the OS level, across all apps that output sound.
Quick Share now supports fast connections between phones using just QR codes. This eliminates the need to add the other person as a contact, verify devices, or change sharing settings, just to send a file to a nearby device.
Google Drive can now auto-enhance document scans. When using your phone's camera to add a new file to Drive, the enhance button will now detect things like documents, receipts, ID cards, and automatically straighten, improve contrast and white balance, and remove shadows and blurring. You can then save in the format of your choice, such as PDF.
Google is also adding new Extensions to Gemini that link to more functionality across apps. This includes calling and messaging your contacts, setting alarms, changing phone settings, using the camera, and controlling Spotify. Soon, you'll also be able to use Gemini to control smart home devices, and get more information about places on Maps.

On the same day, Google revealed a number of other new features coming soon to Pixel devices as part of its December "Pixel Drop".

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