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Google Rolls Out Pixel Feature Drop Alongside March Security Update for Supported Devices: Details

Google Rolls Out Pixel Feature Drop Alongside March Security Update for Supported Devices: Details

While security updates are pushed out for all devices, only certain Pixel devices will be eligible for all features from this Drop.

Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by Ketan Pratap | Updated: 5 March 2024 13:25 IST

Google Rolls Out Pixel Feature Drop Alongside March Security Update for Supported Devices: Details

Google's Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro models are eligible for the latest Feature Drop

Highlights

Circle to Search feature does not make it to the Pixel Fold
GBoard Voice Toolbar arrives on the Pixel Tablet
All devices from the Pixel 5a 5G onwards are eligible for the update

Google has started rolling its latest March Security update and it also brings along a host of new feature add-ons for various supported Pixel devices thanks to the new Feature Drop. The security patch is around 742MB in size (on our Pixel 8 review unit) and is eligible for a number of Pixel devices, from the latest Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel Tablet and the Pixel 5a 5G, which is currently the oldest device to be supported after the Pixel 4a received its last official security update in November last year.

Google Pixel March Security Update

Tagged as software version AP1A.240305.019.A1, the March security update is available for a number of Pixel smartphones, the Pixel Tablet and the only Google foldable in existence, the Pixel Fold. As usual, the security update brings along several bug fixes and improvements.

Satellite SOS Feature Spotted on Google Pixel Phones

These include general stability and performance improvements “with certain apps” and a fix for Google Assistant when it refuses to respond on all recent Pixel smartphones in “certain conditions”. Fingerprint recognition on Pixel 6 through Pixel 8 Pro is also said to be improved in response.

The Google March security update is 742MB in size

There's also a camera fix for all recent Pixel smartphones where the camera would stop functioning entirely. It isn't clear if this is to do with the Night mode bug we noticed in our Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro reviews. The update is also said to bring general improvements for system stability and performance, which should hopefully bring an end to stuttery/janky scrolling issues faced by several users.

Other fixes included are for the sensors (refuses to vibrate when new texts come in), telephony (fails to route calls to connected Bluetooth devices) and even an issue where users could hear distortion in audio when placing calls. There are even a number of fixes to the user interface, from causing the game dashboard to stop functioning to home screen icons disappearing, to stuck live wallpapers, to the taskbar icons and buttons not responding in certain conditions.

Google Pixel March Feature Drop

As for the Google Feature Drop, it will automatically direct updates to various devices you own or your smartphones are connected to. The Pixel Feature Drop is limited to devices that run Android 14, and the rollout, as usual, will be phased. Those who have received the March Security Update will also have to update their individual apps for some of the new features to appear.

Supported Pixel smartphones will get improvements to the Call Screen feature, which is only available in certain regions. The new update makes the call screening feature better when the caller happens to be silent on the other end. The update adds a “hello” chip to the interface, which, when activated, will now prompt the caller to speak.

While recently launched Pixel models are already capable of shooting high contrast 10-bit HDR videos, users can now share these HDR videos and photos directly on Instagram Reels. Strangely, Samsung smartphones received the feature prior to Google's Pixel's devices.

Google Pixel Watch received a new workouts user interface with the latest Pixel Feature Drop
Photo Credit: Google

Another feature which was made available on Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series simultaneously was Circle to Search. And Google has announced that it is finally making its way to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro as well. However, Google has explicitly mentioned that the Pixel 7 models will not get them immediately. Marked as “coming soon”, it is a bit of a waiting game for Pixel 7 owners for now.

Moving to the Pixel Watch, Google has finally added updates from its Pixel Watch 2 to the older, first-generation Pixel Watch. This includes features like Pace Training (set a goal pace during exercise) and Heart Zone Training (monitor time spent in each zone). There's also auto-pause, auto-start and auto-stop, reducing the need to manually start and stop a workout. However, auto workout detection only works for running, walking, elliptical, spinning, outdoor biking, treadmill, and rowing exercises. Lastly, Google updated the workout interface to include larger text and brighter colours for better visibility and readability. Those with access to the Fitbit app will also now see new breathing exercises available on the first-gen Pixel Watch.

The Pixel Watch also gets public transit directions on the display itself. Different transit options will be available, including real-time departures and a compass-enabled map view.

For Pixel devices in general, Google has also introduced the ability to share precisely what's on your screen instead of everything that's visible on your screen when screen sharing. Users can share just one app instead of showing the entire screen, whether a phone, tablet or a foldable Pixel device.

Google Docs now allows for handwritten markups, which can be scribbled using a dedicated stylus or even a finger. The markup feature in Google Docs also includes a set of tools providing a variety of pen colours and highlighters to choose from.

Lastly, Google's Pixel Tablet finally gets a more sensible Gboard voice toolbar. The toolbar takes over when voice input is activated and removes the keyboard from view, letting you view content and dictate text into the text field using a thin pill-shaped bar at the bottom.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Google Pixel Watch

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Compatible OS Android 8.0+

Dial Shape Round

Ideal For Unisex

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Google Pixel Watch 2

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Dial Shape Round

Display Type AMOLED

Ideal For Unisex

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Google Pixel Tablet

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 10.95-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2, Titan M2 security coprocessor

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Resolution 2560x1600 pixels

RAM 8GB

OS Android 13

Storage 128GB

Rear Camera 8-megapixel

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Google Pixel 7

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 90Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Good battery life
IP68 rating

Bad
Video recording could be better
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 7 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Sharp, 120Hz display
Good quality cameras
Good gaming performance
Bloatware-free software, timely updates
Premium design, IP68 rating

Bad
Gets warm under load
No bundled charger
Underwhelming battery life
Relatively slow charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 7 Pro review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1440x3120 pixels

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Google Pixel 8

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Smaller form factor makes it more comfortable to hold
Excellent and bright display
Cameras are still the best
Packed with AI features

Bad
Battery life is still not the best
Expensive
Tends to heat up under heavy load

Read detailed Google Pixel 8 review

Display 6.20-inch

Processor Google Tensor G3

Front Camera 11-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 4575mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 8 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Premium design, IP68 rating
Fun AI-infused software experience
Good quality cameras
Quality video recording
Impressive image editing software
Long-term commitment to software updates

Bad
Gets warm under load
Buggy camera app
Not made for gaming
Average battery life
Relatively slow wired charging

Read detailed Google Pixel 8 Pro review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Google Tensor G3

Front Camera 11-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 64-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 5050mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1344x2992 pixels

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Google Pixel 5a 5G

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.34-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel + 16-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4680mAh

OS Android 11

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 4a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Reliable camera performance
Lean software with guaranteed updates
Stereo speakers
Vivid OLED display
Light, built well

Bad
Relatively low battery capacity
No ultra-wide camera

Read detailed Google Pixel 4a review

Display 5.81-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 3140mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1080x2340 pixels

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Further reading: Google, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel Feature Drop, Pixel Security Update, Pixel 5a 5G, Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 6 Pro, Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google Pixel 8, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Google Pixel Fold, Google Pixel Tablet, Google Pixel Watch, Google Pixel Watch 2

Sheldon Pinto

Email Sheldon Pinto

Sheldon Pinto is based in Mumbai, and has several years of experience in reviewing smartphones and gadgets. As a Senior Reviewer at Gadgets 360, you will always find him deeply immersed in his reviews, switching from one phone to another. When the battery dies out, Sheldon is always browsing the web for a good sci-fi movie or reading up on cars and bikes. He also loves creating lists of interesting places to eat and travel. Sheldon is available on Twitter at @shellshocd, and you can mail him at ...More