Google globally rolls out new weather icons for Weather and 'At a glance' widgets.

They now match those used in the redesigned Google Weather page. These icons were previously tested on a small range of users in February, and are now available for all users globally.

😎 Google News | En

🤖 Google has released the June Pixel Feature Drop based on the stable Android 14 QPR3.

The third quarterly release, Android 14 QPR3, has been in testing since February this year and includes a number of new features and fixes on the system side. Pixel Feature Drop brings new features on the app side and does not necessarily require a system update.

The denoscription of the new features and fixes comes in the following posts.

Android 14 QPR3 beta users can now unsubscribe from the beta programm and upgrade to the stable without data loss (read carefully update page).

Security Patch: June 2024
Build number: AP2A.240605.024

🔗 Android Security Bulletin — June 2024
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin — June 2024

🔗 Factory Images
🔗 OTAs

😎 Google News | En

🐞 Fixed issues in Android 14 QPR3:

🔋Battery & Charging
• Fix for stability or performance improvements in certain conditions *[ 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a]
• Fix for issues causing device to not charge in certain conditions *[ Tablet]

📶Bluetooth
• General improvements in stability or performance for Bluetooth LE audio *[ 8, 8 Pro]

📷 Camera
• Fix for camera stability issue when taking Astrophotography photo under certain conditions *[ 7, 7 Pro, 7a]
• Fix for camera stability issues when switching between different zooms in certain conditions *[ 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Fold]
• General improvements for camera stability under certain conditions *[ 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, Fold, Tablet]

📱Display & Graphics
• General improvements to display stability *[ 5a (5G), 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Fold, Tablet]

⚙️ Framework
• General improvements for system stability during device setup *[ 8a]

🤖System
• General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions *[ 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Fold]

📞 Telephony
• General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions *[ 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a]

👆 User Interface
• Fix for issue with the navigation bar showing up incorrectly in certain conditions *[ 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, Fold]
• Fix for issue with transitions between home screen and lock screen *[ 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Fold, Tablet]
• General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations *[ 6 Pro, 6a, 8, 8 Pro]

😎 Google News | En

The Pixel 8, 8 Pro, and 8a can now output to an external display over the wire.

When you connect a display to your device via the Type-C port, you'll have the ability to mirror your screen to an external screen. The feature is part of the June system update. (Android 14 QPR3).

* A specialized USB-C to USB-C cable with screen output capability or a USB-C to HDMI adapter is required
* On older generations of Pixel, this is not available at the hardware level due to lack of DisplayPort Alternate mode support

😎 Google News | En

Gemini Nano expands to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.

Gemini Nano was previously exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, but with June's Pixel Feature Drop, the lightweight AI model is now available on the Pixel 8 and 8a. To enable it, you need to activate the developer options in system settings, and under Settings / System / Developer options / Android AI Core enable the "Enable on-device GenAI Features" toggle.

This feature is rolling out via an update of the Android AI Core app update.

😎 Google News | En

The Summarize feature in Google Recorder has gained support for speaker labels.

Summaries generated by Gemini Nano can now include speaker labels and can be exported along with the trannoscript.

Speaker tags in trannoscripts were already available in Pixel 6, but the "Summarize" feature with Gemini Nano is only available on Pixel 8 series devices.

*The update is part of the June Pixel Feature Drop and is rolling out from server-side. A downloaded Gemini Nano model is required.

😎 Google News | En

📱 The Pixel 8a, 8 and 8 Pro can now be located when the device is turned off.

If you lose your device, you'll be able to locate your device even if it's turned off. This includes if the device has a completely dead battery. This is possible because the Pixel 8 series devices have backup power that can be directed to the Bluetooth chip even after the main battery is drained.

This requires:
1) Update to the June Android 14 QPR3 update;
2) Get the Find My Device Network feature. (The settings should look like this)
3) Enable location and Bluetooth services.

*When you turn off your device, you will see a message like in the picture.

Screenshot source: Android Police

😎 Google News | En

📷 Pixel camera has improved best moment selection from the HDR+ photo.

The Camera app in Pixel devices can now automatically identify the best moment from your photo in HDR+ with just a single shutter press. Google says this will make it easier to get a shot where your face is in focus and smiling.

The update is part of the June Pixel Feature Drop and is available for Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 6 and newer devices.

*Presumably available with the Pixel Camera app update coming soon.

😎 Google News | En

📷 Pixel Fold, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro got the manual camera Lens Selection feature.

One of the main features of the Pixel 8 Pro was the Pro mode in Camera app with the ability to select a lens. And now with June's Pixel Feature Drop, this feature will appear on the Pixel Fold, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro as well. When manual selection is enabled, 3 buttons will appear in the viewfinder interface:

• UW - Ultra-Wide
• W - Wide
• T - Tele

If you hold down these buttons, a zoom slider will appear with the multipliers available for the selected module.

* Google only talks about the Lens Selection feature. So the rest of the Pro Mode features probably don't apply.
*Available with the Pixel Camera app update coming soon.

😎 Google News | En

📞 Google Phone app makes it easier to search for unknown numbers.

When you tap on an unknown number in your call history, a new "Lookup" button will appear that directly opens a search engine with the phone number already entered in the query field.

This feature is part of June's Pixel Feature Drop and is being rolled out from server-side.

😎 Google News | En

Pixel Tablet gets richer notifications from Nest Doorbell.

When you receive a call from Nest Doorbell, Pixel Tablet will now be able to show you who is at your front door. Also, you can talk to them with two-way talk, or send a Quick Response.

For the feature to work, you need to:
• Have a Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st and 2nd gen) or Nest Doorbell (battery).
• The Pixel Tablet must be locked and docked for charging.
• Sign up for Public Preview in the Google Home app.

😎 Google News | En

Summarizing June's Pixel Feature Drop:

• Gemini Nano for Pixel 8 and 8a
• Speaker Labels for the "Summarize" feature in the Recorder
• Connecting an external screen over the wire
• Locate power off devices with FMD
• HDR+ improved frame selection
• Reverse phone number Lookup
• Manual cameral Lens Selection
• Richer notifications with Nest Doorbell
• Google Home widget

😎 Google News | En