As expected, Google today released its newest feature drop for Pixel phones, adding several new features to its flagship devices.
The March feature drop for Pixels is now rolling out with 12 new features. That includes dark mode scheduling, which lets you do things like have your dark theme automatically switch on at sunset and switch off at sunrise.
Also rolling out is the Cards & Passes feature we've heard about previously. With it, you can press and hold your Pixel's power button to quickly get access to your debit and credit cards for faster payments. You can also access event tickets, boarding passes, and anything else in Google Pay with this feature. Pixel 4 owners can also get quick access to emergency contacts and medical information here.
The new Cards & Passes feature is available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Taiwan, and Singapore.
The emoji 12.1 update brings more customizable and inclusive emoji to Pixel phones, with 169 new emoji available to give you a wider variety of gender and skin tones.
Motion Sense on Pixel 4 is getting a new gesture with this feature drop. Just perform a tapping gesture above your phone to pause and resume your music.
Here's a rundown on the other new features packed into this update:
- New rules will let you do things like automatically silence your ringtone or turn on Do Not Disturb based on your Wi-Fi network or physical location.
- Personal Safety app with car crash detection for Pixel 4 owners in Australia and the UK.
- New AR effects for Duo video calls.
- Pixel 4 front-facing camera improvements, including adding depth for selfies and the ability to create 3D photos on Facebook.
- Live Caption support rolling out to Pixel 2.
- Adaptive Brightness on Pixel 4 can now temporarily increase screen brightness in extremely bright settings, like direct sunlight.
- Pixel 4 owners get improved long press options in Pixel Launcher for more and faster help from apps.
- Take a screenshot of a boarding pass and tap on the notification to add it to Google Pay, plus get real-time flight updates. This feature will roll out to the Pixel 3, 3a, and 4 in countries where Google Pay is available.
The March feature drop update will begin rolling out today and will go out in stages over the next two weeks.