December Feature Drop is now available for Pixel phones
Google started testing the update even before the stable Android 14 release. As expected, the update is now rolling out for stable users and brings all the expected features, including the December 2023 security patch.
The December Feature Drop is rolling out for Eligible Pixel phones. Unfortunately, the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G won’t get the update as support has officially ended for the duo. Meanwhile, Pixel 5a and newer are getting the update, which delivers all the features delivered for Beta testers with Android 14 QPR1.
The update is rolling out with a build number UQ1A.231205.015 and weighs 413MB. You might need to install the update using a Wi-Fi. After upgrading, you will notice a new summary in the Voice Recorder app with Gemini Nano if you are using the Pixel 8 Pro. Also, Night Sight in Time Lapse, which arrived with the latest Google Camera 9.2.
Interestingly, you can now use your Pixel phone as a Webcam via a USB connection. It is available for Pixel 6 and later, which also gets Google Photo’s Unblur tool. The Repair mode that lets you create an account when taking your phone to repair is now available. While the Google Chart suggests the feature isn’t available for the Pixel 6a, the device supports the feature. Below is the complete changelog
December Feature Drop for Pixel phones
- Summarize in the Voice Recorder app with Gemini Nano
- Smart Reply in Gboard with Gemini Nano
- Video Boost with Night sight video mode
- Night Sight in Time Lapse (8 and 8 Pro)
- Improved Portrait Lighting (Pixel 6 and newer)
- Google Photos’ Unblur tool now better sharpens images of dogs and cats. (Pixel 6 and later)
- Dual Screen Preview feature in Pixel Camera on Pixel Fold
- Webcam mode via USB connection (Pixel 6 and newer)
- The camera’s Clean feature can help remove smudges, streaks, and creases from scanned documents. (Pixel 6 and later)
- Google Password Manager can now identify which of your accounts support passkeys and help you add them with just a few taps.
- Repair Mode (Pixel 6 and newer)
- Unlock with Wear OS Watches
- Weather in the Clock app
- Contextual replies in Call Screen (Pixel 6 and newer)
- Spatial audio for Pixel Tablet
- Clear Calling for Pixel Tablet
- Recorder app now transcribes in 28 new languages
- Pixel’s Direct My Call and Hold for Me are expanding to business numbers without a toll-free prefix.18 Both features are also now available in the UK (Pixel 6 and newer)
Of course, the update bumps the Android security patch level to December 2023 to address security vulnerabilities. If you’re a Pixel owner, the update should be available for download. Head over to Settings>>Security & Privacy>>System updates>>Security update. Follow the screen prompts to complete the installation.
