Skip to main content

Why did Google release a Pixel Feature Drop in January?

Google ended 2023 with a pretty sizable Pixel Feature Drop where the camera took center stage. There was Video Boost + Night Sight Video for the 8 Pro, as well as Night Sight timelapse for the 8/Pro. All users benefited from being able to turn their Pixel into a laptop/desktop webcam, while the Pixel Fold picked up Dual Screen Preview and customizable app aspect ratios (Tablet too).  


9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up to get it early in your inbox, or continue reading 9to5Google Log Out below:


In contrast, this January Feature Drop lets the Pixel 8 Pro Thermometer app measure body temperature, while the 8 and 8 Pro will soon pick up Circle to Search. 

The Thermometer update could have very easily been held until March, though it’s a shame that Google only got regulatory approval for it in mid-December. (Frankly, the Pixel 8 Pro should have launched with the capability ready. A Thermometer that you always have with you because it’s part of your phone is a pretty solid argument.)  However, Circle to Search could not have waited since it’s a prominent part of the Samsung S24 launch, including advertising, on January 31.

With those two features, branding and bundling it as a Feature Drop is better than lone blog posts. Meanwhile, people have been waiting for the seven Google Messages features that launched in beta last year.

In short, I think why Google did its first app-only Feature Drop was a mixture of “why wait” and “external forces,” while there’s also the Mint Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. 

However, it does throw the 2024 Feature Drop cycle into confusion. Since we got one in January, will there be another in March? Another thing muddying what happens is how QPR2 should be ready to launch in February. The big highlight of that Quarterly Platform Reason will undoubtedly be the Bluetooth menu in Quick Settings and that would have made the Feature Drop for a lot of people. (In general, it’s odd that these Pixel updates don’t really touch upon what’s been added or changed in the QPR. It suggests a lack of cohesion.) 

Anyways, we still don’t know why the Android team did that in the first place. That QPR cycle started in November instead of December, thus bringing everything up by a month. Is it an indication that Google ultimately wants to release Android 15 a month early (ignoring for the moment how Android 14 was clearly delayed last year)? 


From 9to5Google

Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Would you spend $1,300 on AI and a lackluster camera?

Google might be considering another name for Assistant with Bard: Gemini

Gboard’s Gemini Nano Smart Reply supports two more apps on Pixel 8 Pro

Google TV’s homescreen video ads now include fast food too


What (else) is happening

Samsung’s Android gesture navigation and the ability to hide gesture bar aren’t dead yet

Google shuts down ‘Earth View’ wallpaper collection

Doodle for Google 2024 opens with ‘My wish for the next 25 years’ theme

Samsung reportedly cuts costs on displays for foldables with new bezels

Fossil kept Wear OS alive for years, but made up just 2% of smartwatch market

Android expands eSIM transfer tool, but it’s still pretty limited

Google partners on passkey upgrades, dropping Pixel exclusivity in the future


From the rest of 9to5

9to5Mac: Apple thinks iOS 18 might be the ‘biggest’ iOS update ever

Electrek: Hyundai IONIQ 5 is becoming a top seller off the lot as dealers prep for EV growth

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications