Google Pixel feature drop brings VPN to Pixel 7 Pro among others

Google, independent of the Android 13 December patch, has announced a new Google Pixel feature drop. It brings many new features to Pixel smartphones and the Pixel Watch, including the VPN service, which is offered for free on the Pixel 7 Pro.

Google Pixel Feature Drop with new features

One point that distinguishes the Google Pixel smartphones and devices from those of other manufacturers are the so-called Google Pixel Feature Drops, which are used to add new features even after the release (virtually as an OTA update).

On its own blog, Google now announced a new feature drop for December 2022 that is quite something. Pixel smartphones from the 4a and the Pixel Watch smartwatch can look forward to many new features.

Included, for example, is the VPN service, which had already been announced at the unveiling of the Pixel 7 smartphones. Users of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro (our review) get free access to Google’s VPN, which is supposed to ensure safer web browsing.

Everyone else gets the service in the highest variant of the Google One subscription, which costs 9.99 euros per month.

Also new are the simplified and consolidated security and privacy settings, where an all-round security center virtually awaits you on Pixel smartphones, where you can keep an eye on everything with action cards.

Clear Calling for better sound quality

Also improved in the new Google Pixel feature drop is the sound quality when making calls with the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Clear Calling improves the acoustics of the person you’re talking to while reducing background noise, so you can make better calls even in noisy environments.

This is made possible by AI calculations within the new Tensor G2 chip. Tech-YouTuber Dave2D had already demonstrated the feature in an impressive way in his review of the Pixel 7 Pro.

Pixel Watch with improved sleep tracking

The Google Pixel Watch now also gets the Fitbit Sleep Profile. This allows more details about one’s sleep habits to be collected and tracked within the app, and also provides additional details and tips for better sleep.

In addition, the new Google Pixel Feature Drop adds more curated wallpapers for Pixel smartphones, a new Live Bloom wallpaper, and a sunrise and sunset tile for the smartwatch.

Google also announced that the Pixel Buds Pro in-ear headphones will get Spatial Audio, including head tracking, as a free update in January. The Google Pixel Feature Drop is expected to be rolled out gradually to the manufacturer’s devices these days.