Google is expanding AI capabilities across its Pixel phones, introducing a new notification summarization system and several updates that integrate on-device AI tools for communication, safety, and photo editing. The features form part of the company’s November Pixel Feature Drop, rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer devices.
The headline feature, notification summaries, condenses lengthy chat threads into short recaps that appear directly in the notification shade. Initially available on the Pixel 9 series and later devices (excluding the 9A), the feature uses Google’s Gemini Nano model to summarize long conversations across supported chat apps such as Messages and WhatsApp. Google said the system will analyze only extended threads to ensure more reliable summaries, with an update in December planned to automatically sort and silence low-priority alerts.
Google is broadening scam detection for both calls and messages. Previously limited to Google’s own Messages app, the AI-driven warning system will now operate across selected third-party chat services, including Telegram and Discord. When suspicious messages are flagged, users see a “Likely scam” label and receive a safety prompt. Scam detection for phone calls is also expanding to the U.K., Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada, available on Pixel 9 phones and newer.
A new Remix feature inside Google Messages introduces generative photo editing powered by Google’s Nano Banana and Gemini models. Users can modify photos directly within chats using text prompts, for instance, by requesting stylistic or creative edits. The remixed images carry an AI watermark and can be viewed by all participants in the conversation, regardless of device type. The feature is launching in English across the US, UK, India, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
With the latest update, notifications from designated Pixel VIP contacts will now appear with priority status. Messages from these contacts, identified through Google Messages or WhatsApp, are visually highlighted in yellow and pinned near the top of the notification feed. The feature builds on the “VIPs” widget introduced earlier this year, which also displays crisis alerts related to those contacts’ locations. A new low-power mode for Google Maps introduces an energy-efficient navigation interface for Pixel 10 devices. The feature reduces screen brightness and simplifies the display to essential route details such as the next turn and estimated arrival time, extending battery life by up to four hours. It can be toggled on during driving sessions to preserve power without closing navigation.
Finally, Google is extending its Call Notes feature, which transcribes and summarizes phone calls using on-device Gemini Nano processing. The tool, previously U.S.-exclusive, is now available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, and the U.K. The feature allows users to capture summaries and “next steps” from recorded calls, further expanding Google’s AI-assisted communication suite.
The new set of tools is Google’s latest effort to make AI a core part of everyday smartphone use, with Gemini Nano acting as a silent processor for summarization, transcription, and safety alerts. By performing most operations on-device, Google aims to maintain faster response times while minimizing data sent to the cloud — a key differentiator from Apple’s more centralized “Apple Intelligence” rollout. For users, the changes point toward a more context-aware, less intrusive notification ecosystem. Summaries and automated sorting could reduce notification fatigue, while expanded scam detection and conversational editing tools show how Google is weaving generative AI into routine interactions. The November update, while modest in appearance, positions the Pixel lineup as the primary testing ground for Android’s long-term integration of on-device AI.
The Tech Portal is published by Blue Box Media Private Limited. Our investors have no influence over our reporting. Read our full Ownership and Funding Disclosure →
