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Google's Latest Pixel Drop Brings the Material 3 Expressive UI To Older Devices (engadget.com)

(Wednesday September 03, 2025 @11:30PM (BeauHD) from the new-and-improved dept.)


Google's September Pixel drop [1]brings the new Material 3 Expressive UI , AI-powered Gboard writing tools, and Bluetooth Auracast upgrades to older Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 and Pixel Tablet. "Among other tweaks, Google made it possible to add 'Live Effects,' including a few that cover the weather, to your phone's lock screen wallpaper," notes Engadget. "Material 3 Expressive also gives you more control over how the contact cards your phone displays when your friends and family call you look. Even if you're not one to endlessly tweak Android's appearance, as part of the redesign Google has once again reworked the Quick Settings pane in hopes of making it easier to use."

On the audio front, Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain intuitive nod-and-shake gesture controls, Adaptive Audio for balanced awareness, and Loud Noise Protection to guard against sudden sound spikes. Voice clarity has also been improved with Gemini Live in noisy environments.

A full breakdown of what's new can be found [2]here .



[1] https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/googles-latest-pixel-drop-brings-the-material-3-expressive-ui-to-older-devices-180011681.html

[2] https://store.google.com/intl/en/ideas/articles/september-pixel-drop-personalization/?utm_medium=affiliate_publisher&utm_source=CJ&utm_campaign=GS5348525&utm_content=8836598&CJPID=8836598&CJAID=14460385&gad_source=7&dclid=CODj2KDCvY8DFSMVdgYd1NIHqw


Re: (Score:2)

by ejr ( 2998 )

I have a Pixel phone. On Google Fi. I don't see any reason to care.

Re: (Score:3)

by bill_mcgonigle ( 4333 ) *

Millennials like to say "drop" to mean "release".

"Taylor Perry dropped a new album."

Even Zoomers find it tiresome.

Re: (Score:2)

by Mr. Dollar Ton ( 5495648 )

It is similar to a normal drop, but made from larger pixels.

Kinda like this one: [1]https://cdn3.vectorstock.com/i... [vectorstock.com]

[1] https://cdn3.vectorstock.com/i/1000x1000/17/07/drop-of-water-pixel-art-vector-45391707.jpg

All working together (Score:3)

by hadleyburg ( 823868 )

Little UI customisation features aren't particularly important to me.

I'm interested in whether you can have a nicely working together experience using Google stuff (phone + tablet), in the way that Apple offers (iPhone + iPad).

A not particularly computer literate family member has expressed preference for the Google Photos app over Apple Photos, and uses GMail for email, so is wondering whether to switch from iPhone/iPad to whatever is the Google equivalent.

Auracast? (Score:2)

by bill_mcgonigle ( 4333 ) *

I had to look this up. It actually seems pretty nifty:

[1]https://www.techradar.com/feat... [techradar.com]

(yes, Bob, we know you don't have these use cases)

[1] https://www.techradar.com/features/bluetooth-auracast-explained

Yay! My phone stays the same! (Score:3)

by kbrannen ( 581293 )

I have a Pixel 4a, so yay I'm not affected and my UI stays the same; I don't get that Materials 3 crap. How about we stop with all of the meaningless UI changes, whether phone, browser, app, whatever. Pointless changes just to be changing something to show the UI people are still alive.

Re: (Score:2)

by caseih ( 160668 )

Yes but pastel colors! Surely you want those. That and low-contrast text.

That's one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind.
-- Neil Armstrong