Tech

Google’s June ‘Pixel Drop’ release brings AstroLapse, Locked Photo folder and more

Google has announced the latest June security update for Android has been released today, but it also includes new features for Google Pixel phone owners including new Astrophotography features, GBoard improvements, a secure folder for Photos and more.

The Astrophotography  update adds in timelapse video, letting you capture ‘videos of the stars moving across the sky all during the same exposure’. Once you capture a photo in night sight, both the photo and video will then appear in your camera roll. 

Also announced was the locked folder for Google Photos. After the update, Pixel users can snap a shot and save it directly to a secure folder, or move existing pictures or video into there as well. This folder is handy for saving pics of any er, um, well, Google says the folder is for ‘pictures of an upcoming gift for a loved one, or screenshots of your recent receipts’ – but basically it lets you store some pics out of sight (and access) of anyone you hand your phone to so they can check out a picture.

Google has also rolled updates for GBoard into the update to make copying and pasting smarter. After the update, GBoard will detect if you’ve copied text that includes a phone number, email address or URL, and then present those as snippets of text you can choose to paste into apps.

Finally, if you’ve ever wanted to get Google Assistant to answer your calls, well, we’re getting closer with Assistant now able to do so, or reject it if you ask it. You now just need to say “Hey Google, answer call” or “Hey Google, reject call.” 

If you do want a bonus, it’s Pride month and Google has included ‘Three bold, joyful wallpaper designs were created exclusively for Pixel by Ashton Attzs’. 

Of course Google has dropped support for some older phones – but they’ve handily given us this table for which features are coming to which Pixel phones. 

The Pixel Drop features are rolling out to Google Pixel phone owners now as part of the Google monthly security update. 

Recent Posts

  • Lifestyle

Sonos Ace Ultra headphones review — you get what you pay for: great sound with an extremely comfortable fit

It’s been a busy few months for high-end consumer phones, with the latest addition to…

11 hours ago
  • Tech

Review: NBA 2K27 — similar gameplay but with improvements in all the right places

The NBA 2K franchise is one of the biggest sports game series in the world,…

24 hours ago
  • Tech

ASUS ZenWiFi BD4 Review: Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Keeps Costs In Check

Getting internet throughout your home without running cables everywhere is a hassle. Mesh internet systems…

1 day ago
  • Tech

Asus is the first to launch its Googlebook in Australia with the Asus Googlebook 14 coming to JB Hi-Fi next month

Last night, Google unveiled the new Googlebook range, with devices from five different manufacturers starting…

1 day ago
  • Tech

Google Unveils Googlebooks: Premium Laptops Built for Android and Gemini Intelligence

Google is launching their long awaited line of Googlebooks announced back in May, a new…

1 day ago
  • Motoring

The Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars podcast – Episode # 138 – Loving her new Skoda and the Geely EX2 test drive

This week we hear from NAX about his second hand Model 3, and the problem…

2 days ago