Google’s Latest Pixel Feature Drop Will Let Pixel Studio Generate Images of People

It’s a new month, so it’s time for another one of Google’s Pixel Feature Drops. This is when the company graces owners of the latest Pixel devices with new features and abilities, so they are convinced to stick with Google’s flagship hardware. March’s drop is mostly good news for international folks waiting on AI features, but there are a couple of other interesting bits to play with, especially if you’re on the Pixel 9.

Pixel Studio can now generate images of people. Once the update rolls out to Pixel 9 devices, you can use the text-to-image prompts to create pictures of a person, whereas previously, Pixel Studio was limited to animals and items. I wish I could try out the feature to tell you what it’s like and how it compares to Apple’s Image Playground, which lets you generate images of yourself or a few other chosen people from your familiar faces archive. But it’s only just started rolling out as of this writing. I’m curious if the ability in Pixel Studio works like it does on iOS, where the app asks you to select a photo from the camera roll for the AI to generate its likeness of you or someone else. I’ll be looking to see how the styles vary compared to Apple’s image generation algorithms. Like cameras, each AI-led image-generation tool has its own “aesthetic.”

With this latest update, Google Messages is invoking a little more of the power of AI into more parts of the operating system. The Pixel already tells you if someone shady is calling. After the feature drop rolls out, Android’s default messaging app will also identify scammy text messages, like the one I always receive that tells me I have a bill overdue for tolls. (I don’t!)

I love that I can share my location through Google Maps, but it takes quite a few taps before you can get to it. Google is moving the ability to share your location with trusted contacts to the Find My Device app. You can pop into the app to see where your devices are hanging and check where folks are on a live map. Again, this is another play from the book of iOS, where users have been locating their friends and devices quickly through the Find My app for iPhone and iPad. This feature will be available for the Pixel 6 and up.

I’m not sure why Google insists we play games in our car. But if you’re parked and using Android Auto, more games are coming to the vehicle’s screen as part of this update. Candy Crush Soda Saga and Angry Birds 2 are among the new games you can play on your car’s interactive touchscreen. You might try this feature out the next time you’re parked. It’s a good way to pass the time when other people in the car are waiting with you and you need to keep them entertained. The game is no longer playable once you switch the vehicle into drive mode.

Satellite messaging is coming to Pixel 9 series users on the Verizon network. Now, you can connect to emergency services via satellite when you’re somewhere without cellular service or wifi. Satellite SOS has also launched in more regions, including Canada, Hawaii, and Alaska.

This month’s Pixel Feature Drop starts rolling out today. Check out Google’s blog for more information.