Revolutionizing Pixels: A closer look at Google's latest feature drop

Photo: Google

Google's latest announcement goes beyond introducing a fresh colour for the Pixel 8 series. In addition to this, the company unveils its newest feature drop, showcasing the innovative Circle to Search feature. Originally spotted on Samsung's Galaxy S24, this functionality will soon be available on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, with its launch scheduled for January 31, coinciding with the release date of Samsung's S24 lineup. To use Circle to Search, long press the home button or navigation bar and encircle any item on your phone screen. Google will then provide relevant information about the selected content. 

This update also enhances the use of the Pixel 8 Pro's built-in thermometer. You can now measure body temperature, a feature described by Google as "medical-grade." This suggests that Google likely obtained FDA clearance for this specific use. Adding a practical application for the thermometer somewhat eliminates its earlier puzzling presence in the phone. 

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Google simplifies Call Screen settings on Pixel phones

Left: Old settings, Right: New options (Image: Android Police)

Google’s Pixel phones have a Call Screen feature that blocks spam and robocalls automatically or manually. On the Pixel 6 and 7 series, Call Screen is automatic and saves you time. Google is now simplifying the Call Screen settings menu by grouping the screening options into three levels: Maximum, Medium, and Basic.

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Google Pixel vulnerability could let bad actors undo Markup screenshot edits

Image: Simon Aarons

One of the fixes the Android March security patch addressed is a "High" severity vulnerability involving the Pixel's Markup screenshot tool. And while it prevents the issue for future screenshots and photos, images shared in the past might still be at risk. Reverse engineers Simon Aarons and David Buchanan discovered the vulnerability and shared more information online.

The "aCropalypse" flaw allowed someone to take a PNG screenshot cropped in Markup and undo at least some of the edits in the image. So, if you use the tool to redact sensitive information in an image, a bad actor can reveal the information.

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Google Pixel's Magic Eraser feature comes to more devices

Photos: Google

As announced last month, Google is bringing some of its newer Pixel features to more devices. One of the notable rollouts is its Magic Eraser tool. The feature can digitally take out unwanted objects (or even people) in photos to get you the look you want. It launched on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro and came to last year's Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, which made us believe it was only available on phones running on Google's Tensor chipset.

But Google has started to roll it out to older Pixel devices, and those with Google One subscriptions on Android and iOS can access it, too. Your phone needs at least 3GB of RAM and runs on Android 8.0 or iOS 15.0 or later.

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