Google’s November 2025 Pixel drop is available today, and it includes some new features that should benefit the Pixel phones and tablets Google typically targets. A new messaging feature called Remix in Google Messages expands access to Gemini-powered photo editing, and Google is also improving its scam detection and Pixel VIP features.
Remix in Google Messages is essentially Google’s Nano Banana photo editing tool, but available directly in Google Messages. The feature uses the same image model as Gemini and Google Photos, and lets Messages users tweak photos directly in chat. The important thing is that edited photos can be seen by anyone in the chat, even if they are not on Android. The feature is available in English in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland and New Zealand with RCS enabled. Google says that remixed images can also be sent over MMS.
In the Google Photos app, photo editing skills will now be even more personalized. Google says eligible Android users with Ask Photos and Face Groups enabled can refer to people in their photos by name while editing. The Photos app can use previous photos of your labeled friends to make changes like adding a smile or opening someone’s eyes, without providing any previous context.
For anyone who owns the latest Pixel 10 phone, the Pixel drop includes a new power saving mode in Google Maps that darkens the screen and only shows essential information and directions. Google claims this feature extends battery life by up to four hours. The company hasn’t announced any plans, but it looks like this feature could be an equally good fit on Android Auto.
Scam detection is Android’s built-in feature to identify scam calls and alert you with a notification. As part of the Pixel drop, scam detection will now work with Messages as well, and you’ll be warned in notifications on Pixel 6 devices and above if you’re dealing with a scam. As part of the update, scam detection is now also available in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada. The update also includes support for notification summaries on Pixel 9 and later, which summarizes persistent group chat notifications as a reoccurrence in your notification shade. If you’ve marked someone as a Pixel VIP (a feature added in June), Android will now prioritize their messages too so you don’t miss them.
Along with those more practical features, Google is also introducing a new seasonal Wicked: for good Theme pack on Pixel 6 and newer devices. The theme pack is accessible through a new Theme Pack app that was released earlier in November. While it uses existing options like your wallpaper and icon settings to set "glinda" And "Elphaba" The feature of themes, theme packs is the ability to change all those settings at once. It’s unfortunate that Google is offering this tool with an ad, but it may prove useful in the future.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/remix-in-google-messages-brings-ai-photo-editing-to-even-more-phones-190000445.html?src=rss.