Welcome to the Google’s 2nd feature drop for just about all phones Pixel – save for the original one.  Of course, the Pixel 4 will get all of the new features but the Pixel 2, 3, & 3a gets some good updates as well.  We got the full list of all of the changes and what Pixel phones will get them.  

Cards & Passes
Press and hold the power button to swipe through your credit cards and tickets, or access anything else in your wallet, like emergency contacts and medical information. 
 
This will roll out to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Taiwan, Spain, Italy, and Ireland. Learn more here.
 
Screenshot a boarding pass to add it to Google Pay
Getting on a flight is also easier than ever with Google Pay on your Pixel. Take a screenshot of a boarding pass to automatically generate a smart chip that lets you save to Google Pay. The pass can then be accessed via the power button and a helpful notification will pop up before your flight. 
 
This will begin rolling out to Pixel 3, 3a, and 4 in these countries on March 12. Learn more here.
 
Tap to pause with Motion Sense
You can already use Motion Sense to skip forward or go back to a previous song. Now you can also pause and resume music with a tapping gesture above the phone. So you can easily pause music when you’re having a conversation, without even picking up your phone. [1] 
 
This will begin rolling out to Pixel 4 in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Learn more here
 
Dark theme scheduling
Dark theme gets even more helpful. Pixel devices will get more flexibility in switching from light to dark background, with the ability to schedule Dark theme based on local sunrise and sunset times. 
 
To enable scheduling, go to Settings > Display > Dark theme > Schedule. Dark theme scheduling will roll out to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 globally. Learn more here.
 
Rules on Pixel
Pixel gives you the ability to automatically enable certain rules based on WiFi network or physical location. Customize your ringtone to go silent when you connect to your office WiFi, or go on Do Not Disturb when you walk in the front door of your house to focus on the people and things that matter most. 
 
To configure, go to Settings > System > Rules. Rules will roll out to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 globally. Learn more here.
 
Emojis 12.1 Update
Emojis on Pixel will now be a more customizable and inclusive thanks to the emoji 12.1 update, with 169 new emojis to represent a wider variation of gender, race and skin tones and more combinations to better reflect reality. 
 
To use, open an app where you can write, like Gmail or Keep. Tap where you can text. Tap Emoji ☺. Emojis 12.1 will roll out to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 globally. Learn more here.
 
Duo AR Effects
Get creative with AR effects you can use live on your video call with friends. They change based on your facial expressions. Together, they give your Duo calls a whole new layer of fun. 
 
To use Duo effects during a call, tap> Effects to choose an effect. Duo AR effects will roll out to Pixel 3 and 4 globally. 
 
Better Selfies on Pixel 4
Your front-facing camera can now create images with depth, which improves Portrait Blur and color pop, and lets you create 3D photos on Facebook. 
 
To turn on, open Camera and tap the Down arrow > Settings > Advanced > Social Media Depth Features. Once on, photos you take in the default mode can be edited by following these steps:
  • Portrait blur: open the photo in Google Photos and tapping Edit photo > Edit photo> then move the Blur slider
  • Color pop: open the photo in Google Photos and tapping Edit > Color Pop
  • To create a 3D photo on facebook: open Facebook > What’s on your mind? > 3D Photos > Select your image. 
This will roll out to Pixel 4 globally.
 
Car crash detection in Australia and the United Kingdom
On Pixel 4, the Safety app uses phones’ sensors to quickly detect if you’ve been in a severe car crash, and checks with you to see if you need emergency services [2]. For those who need emergency services, you can request help via a voice command or with a single tap. If you’re unresponsive, your Pixel will share relevant details, like location info with emergency responders.
 
To turn on car crash detection, visit the Personal Safety app. Car crash detection is available now on Pixel 4 in the United States. Car crash detection will roll out to Pixel 4 in Australia and the UK. Only available in English. Learn more here.
 
Live Caption for Pixel 2
Live Caption automatically captions media playing on your phone. You can use it on videos, podcasts, and audio messages – even stuff you record yourself [3]. 
 
To turn on Live Caption, press either volume button and tap the Live Caption icon . Live Caption is available now on Pixel 3, 3a, and 4. Live Caption will begin rolling out globally to Pixel 2 on March 12. Learn more here.
 
Improvements to long press
In addition to long press, you can now firmly press to get more help from your apps more quickly. 
 
Long press improvements will roll out to Pixel 4 globally. 
 
Improvements to Adaptive Brightness
Adaptive Brightness will now temporarily increase screen brightness to make reading content on your screen easier when in extremely bright ambient lighting, like direct sunlight. 
 
So another feature drop for Google’s Pixel has arrived and the line gets even better.  I actually appreciate the new way of updating via feature drops.  Any feature you’re looking forward to?
 

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