After announcing some new features for all Android phones last week, Google is now taking the wraps off some newness exclusively for Team Pixel.
The December Feature Drop update for Google Pixel phones is now official, and it brings several Pixel 5 features to the Pixel 3 and newer models. Hold for Me will make Google Assistant wait on hold for you while you're on the phone with a business, then let you know when someone is ready on the other end. Google says this feature can save an average of 8 minutes per call.
Extreme Battery Saver is another new feature in this update. When activated, your Pixel phone will limit some apps and run only essentials to help push your battery as far as it'll go.
Google Duo is expanding its screen-sharing feature to group calls over both Wi-Fi and 5G, and a refreshed image editor in Google Photos will give you edit suggestions that are powered by machine learning and tailor to the photo you're editing. This helps you edit great-looking photos with one tap.
There are several new "Adaptive" features in this December feature drop, too. Adaptive Sound will improve the sound of your phone speaker by using the phone's microphone to assess the acoustics around you, then adjusting the sound equalizer in certain apps. And there's a new Adaptive Connectivity feature for Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G devices that'll automatically switch between 5G and 4G connections based on the app you're using to help you conserve battery life.
Adaptive Battery on the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a is getting better with new context-aware battery features to automatically help you save more power, and Adaptive Charging helps to preserve your phone's battery health over time by dynamically controlling how fast your Pixel charges. Just plug in your phone, set an alarm, and Adaptive Charging will do its thing.
Finally, GPS on the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G is getting more accurate when you're on foot, your Pixel phone can now detect if you're using a website or app in another language and use Google Lens to translate it, and Pixels are getting more personalization features that include new icons, grid views, and app shapes plus custom wallpapers of famous art from around the world as well as new wallpapers from "The Mandalorian".
This update is now rolling out, so if you've got a Pixel 3 or later, be on the lookout! Google is also offering factory images and OTA images of the update if you'd prefer to upgrade that way.