Pixel phones are getting notification summaries
TL;DR
Google's Pixel update introduces AI-powered notification summaries for chat conversations, starting with Pixel 9 series. It also expands scam detection to more apps and regions, and adds features like notification sorting and photo remixing in Messages.
Google is releasing an update for Pixel phones with an interesting feature in the mix: notification summaries. Apple notably had plenty of trouble implementing its version of this AI-powered feature, and Google is taking a cautious first step by deploying it only for chat conversations. It’ll arrive as part of this month’s Pixel update for Pixel 9 series phones and newer — with the exception of the Pixel 9A.
Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman shared a deep dive of the feature in August when code for it appeared in an Android 16 beta. As Rahman described, summaries are limited to chat apps for now, and only for longer conversations. As AA’s C. Scott Brown points out, limiting summaries to longer pieces of information means the system has more context to work with and could reduce the kind of swings and misses that Apple’s AI has made in the past. Google also says that December’s update will take things a step further, automatically sorting your notifications and silencing those that are lower priority — a problem Apple is throwing AI at, too.
Google expanded its scam detection feature in messages beyond Pixel phones earlier this year. Now, Pixel 6 phones and newer will expand scam detection beyond Google’s Messages to some third-party chat apps including Telegram and Discord. The notification itself includes a badge labeling it as “likely scam,” and tapping the notification triggers a system pop-up encouraging the user to exercise caution. Google is expanding access to scam detection for calls, too, bringing it to Pixel 9 owners (9A excluded) in the UK, Ireland, India, Australia, and Canada.
Meanwhile, back in Google’s own messaging app, users will be able to “remix” photos with AI right inside Messages. This update extends beyond Pixels to the broader Android ecosystem, though it’s limited to English and the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and New Zealand for now. Additionally, the Pixel 6 and newer will give priority to chat notifications from your Messages VIPs.