Google has begun the rollout of its June 2025 Pixel Drop alongside the latest Android 16 update for Pixel smartphones. This update introduces a new Pixel VIPs widget designed to enhance communication with favorite contacts and allows users to create AI-generated stickers directly within Gboard. Additionally, the Pixel camera app is being improved with new hints to better utilize its diverse features, while several existing exclusive functionalities are being made available in more regions.
New Features Enhance Connectivity and Photography on Pixel Devices
As part of the update, users can now integrate a new Pixel VIPs widget onto their home screens for easy access to their most important contacts. This feature, enabled by the Contacts app, utilizes user-provided information such as addresses, emails, and birthdays to present key reminders and details. Notably, this new widget allows these contacts to bypass the Do Not Disturb settings, ensuring that calls and notifications from them are never missed.
The camera app on Pixel smartphones has also been enhanced, now offering users helpful suggestions for various modes, including telephoto, panorama, Night Sight, and Astro photography. These informative prompts can be found by tapping the question mark icon located in the app’s top right corner.
Moreover, Gboard has been updated to enable the creation of AI stickers right from the keyboard. These stickers, produced by Pixel Studio, are reportedly optimized for the latest Pixel 9 series. Users can simply input a prompt along with a chosen emotion, and Gboard will then generate a personalized emoji using artificial intelligence.
Additionally, Pixel devices equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) features can now connect to hearing aids, allowing users to make phone calls and access presets through their devices. The Magnifier app has also received an update, permitting users to type in object searches that will be highlighted when located.
These advancements are being released concurrently with the Android 16 update, which began distribution on Tuesday. In conjunction with these new features, existing Pixel-exclusive functionalities such as Satellite SOS are now being expanded to Australia, while AI summaries within the Recorder app are becoming available in both French and German languages.
