Pixel 4a battery blues, Pixel Watch emergency call tweaks, Samsung catching up, and Gemini goodies!

While the Samsung Galaxy S25 series may be grabbing all the major headlines, the Google Pixelverse hasn’t been short of activity lately. From battery blunders to clever AI advancements, we’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know.

Remember the Pixel 4a update from earlier this month? Well, some users recently got a shock (and not the good kind) after a software update. Instead of fixing battery issues, it seems to have turned some devices into power-hungry gremlins, draining batteries faster ever before.

Reports have flooded in, with users claiming their phones were dying in mere minutes after the update. But fear not, Google has heard the cries of its Pixel faithful and is stepping up with a peace offering. Affected Pixel 4a owners can choose from a free battery replacement, a $50 cash payout, or a $100 Google Store credit. Not a bad way to soften the blow, right? If you’re a Pixel 4a user experiencing these issues, head over to Google’s support website and see if you qualify.

Your stylish wrist companion, the Pixel Watch, is getting a safety upgrade. Currently, triggering Emergency SOS involves rapidly pressing the crown five times. While effective, it’s also a bit too easy to accidentally activate, like when you’re just trying to show off your watch to a friend and suddenly the paramedics are on their way.

Google is reportedly working on adding an extra step: a touch-and-press action on the screen after the crown presses. This should prevent accidental calls, although some might worry about the extra seconds in a real emergency. The good news? Google will apparently let users choose their preferred method and add a five-second delay before the call goes through, giving you a chance to stop a false alarm. It’s like a safety net for your safety net.

Across the smartphone aisle, Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 series has some features that look suspiciously familiar to Pixel users. From audio editing tools that magically erase unwanted sounds to AI-powered enhancements, it seems like Google’s innovative spirit is rubbing off on the competition. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? While Samsung is bringing some cool features to the table, it’s clear that Google’s Pixel line continues to set the pace in certain areas. Some of the features include:

• Audio Eraser: Similar to Google’s Audio Magic Eraser feature on Pixel phones, the Galaxy S25 series allows users to eliminate unwanted noise in recorded videos.
• 10-bit HDR Video Recording: Samsung introduced this on the Galaxy S25, but Google already offers it on some Pixel phones. However, the S25 one-ups the Pixel by tagging along the ability to record LOG videos for greater control during video editing.
• Gemini Advanced subscription: Samsung offers a complimentary Gemini Advanced subscription for six months, mirroring Google’s offering of this subscription with their Pixel devices.

Speaking of innovation, Gemini is leveling up on Pixel devices with a smarter, more helpful AI assistant.

• Gemini Live goes multimedia: Now, you can ask Gemini about anything you see on your screen—images, files, videos—and it will analyze and answer your questions. It’s like having a digital know-it-all in your pocket.
• Action chaining: Gemini can now connect the dots between different apps and services. Want to find a restaurant and send the details to your friends? Gemini can handle it. Need to add all the Cubs games to your calendar? Done. It’s like having a personal assistant who’s also a sports fan.
• Gemini Deep Research comes to mobile: This powerful tool, previously only available on the web, is now coming to Pixel. It can sift through tons of websites to create comprehensive reports, complete with links to the original sources. It’s like having a research team at your fingertips. And if you have a Pixel 9 Pro you get a 12-month subscription of Gemini Advanced, which has Deep Research.
• Circle to Search gets an AI boost: Circle to Search is already a handy way to quickly search the web, but now it’s getting even better with AI Overviews. Circling an object will now bring up an AI-generated description. Plus, it can now recognize phone numbers, URLs, and emails, making it even easier to take action.

So there you have it, Pixel fans! A whirlwind of news and updates. From battery hiccups to AI breakthroughs, it’s clear that the Pixel universe is constantly evolving. Stay tuned for more updates, and until next time, keep on Pixeling.

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