Google is rolling out its latest Pixel Drop as part of the June 2021 Android security update. For those who didn’t know, Pixel Drops are released year-round, adding Pixel-specific features alongside the usual security patches that all Android phones get.
This month, Pixel users are getting several helpful features like locked folders in Google Photos, a new night vision video mode, and a slew of new Pride Month-themed wallpapers (the you can look here).
All variants of the Pixel 5, 4, 4a, 4a 5G, 3 and 3a smartphones can download the update, but as with previous Pixel Drops, some features are only available for certain Pixel devices. Below, we’ll cover all of the new features introduced in the June 2021 Pixel Drop and determine which phones they can be used on.
Night Sight is perfect for taking astrophotography videos [Pixel 4 and newer]
If you have a Pixel 4 or later, your phone’s camera can now turn your night vision photos into video, so you can take long exposures and videos of the night sky at the same time. Night vision recordings can take up to four minutes; Your phone speeds up the footage into a quick time-lapse of the stars moving across the sky.
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To record night vision video:
- Open the camera app.
- Choose “Night vision” from the slider menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the shutter button to take the photo. (For best results, stabilize your phone with something secure, such as a tripod or stand.)
- Wait for the photo exposure to complete.
- Then tap to preview.
- Swipe right on the photo to view the video.
Put pictures that are only for your eyes in a locked folder in Google Photos
With Google Photos, you can now create a password-protected locked folder to store your “sensitive photos and videos,” as Google calls them. We know what you really mean, Google.
The locked folder is secured with a password or a biometric lock (like a face or fingerprint), and everything in the folder is stored locally – nothing is sent to the cloud or accessed remotely.
How to set up a locked Google photo folder
- Open Google Photos
- Go to Library> Utilities> Locked Folder
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
You can save new photos and videos to the locked folder right after they are captured, or move content from your Google Photos library to the folder as follows:
- Open a photo or video in Google Photos.
- Tap the three-dot icon and select “Move to locked folder.”
- Tap “Move” to confirm.
The Google Assistant can answer your phone for you [Pixel 4 and newer]
When your phone rings, you can now hands-free ask the Google Assistant to answer or decline the incoming call:
- Say “Hey Google, take the call” to answer a call.
- Say “Ok Google, reject the call” to send it to voicemail.
These commands work for Pixel 5, 4, 4a, and 4a 5G devices that have the Google Assistant set up.
Listen to the heads-up reminder
Heads Up Reminder is a digital wellbeing feature that aims to make you more aware of your surroundings while staring at your phone.
With the feature turned on, your phone will recognize when you walk and look at the screen and will regularly remind you to look and check what is going on around you.
You can set heads-up reminders for your Pixel device at. activate and configure Settings> Digital Wellbeing> Cheer Up.
Gboard text copy is now smarter smart
The Pixel’s standard Gboard keyboard can now recognize links, contact information, and other information from a selected block of text and offers to paste that information into any applicable apps, your clipboard, or other destinations.
Previous updates have been extended to new regions
Several older features including Call monitoring, Car accident detection, and the recorder app will be expanded to other regions as well.
- Call screening is now available in Japan.
- Car crash detection is now available in Spain, Ireland and Singapore. (Does not support Pixel 3a devices.)
- The recorder app now recognizes four additional English dialects: Australian, British, Irish and Singaporean.
How to download the June 2021 Pixel Drop
Again, the June 2021 Pixel Drop will now be rolled out on all Pixel 5, 4, 4a, 4a 5G, 3, and 3a Pixel devices, including XL models. To download the update, go to Settings> System> Advanced> System Update to see if it’s waiting for you Note that some features may require additional app updates, so not everything is immediately available.
