Pixel Feature Drop now officially unlocked via Play System update, as Call Recording goes global & speakerphone bug worsens

It’s been a busy week for Pixel users and, naturally, for the PiunikaWeb readership. You’re already keenly aware of the security components of the November 2025 Pixel Drop, the long-term outlook for devices like the Pixel 10 with GrapheneOS support, and the initial status of the AI notification features.

Now, the final pieces of the Feature Drop puzzle are falling into place, with a key infrastructure update officially flipping the switch on the long-awaited AI features. However, that good news comes with a significant caveat, as one critical user issue is proving far more widespread than previously thought.

Google Play System update is the Feature Drop key

If you’ve installed the monthly software update but still haven’t seen the new AI bells and whistles, this is the step you need. Google has begun rolling out a new Google Play System update that appears to be the mechanism unlocking Feature Drop items like the much-touted AI summaries and Wicked theme packs.

The update size is curiously variable, clocking in at a substantial 92MB on a Pixel 9, but a minimal 196KB on a Pixel 6 Pro. Regardless of size, the consensus is that this system update is the necessary trigger. It is highly advisable that all Pixel users check for and install this new Play System update on their devices to finally gain access to the November Feature Drop’s promised software enhancements. However, the update is still dated October 1, 2025.

How to get your Pixel AI Notification Summaries live

With the Play System update in hand, we’re now starting to see the Notification Summaries feature go truly live. Following the Pixel Feature Drop, this new AI capability, leveraging Gemini Nano for on-device processing, can summarize long messages and group conversations, with Google assuring users that messages are “never sent to Google.”

If rolled out to your phone, you can enable it by heading to Settings > Notifications for the “Notification summaries” toggle at the top of the list, right after Notification history. The feature is off by default.

Enabling it gives you a list of apps, where all chat clients are initially opted-in, that you can quickly manage. Supported first-party apps include Google Chat, Messages, Meet, Voice, Gmail (for the Chat tab), and even curiously, Phone by Google.

Remember, the feature currently supports English only, and it won’t summarize short messages, text with multiple languages, or only emoji. Crucially, the screen must be off for a moment and Battery Saver must be disabled for the summaries (which feature a sparkle icon and are italicized) to generate. You should also ensure you are on the latest version of Android System Intelligence (B.17).

Notification Summaries are available on the flagship Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Pixel Phone app Call Recording rolls out worldwide

In other rollout news, Google is now widely deploying the Pixel Phone app’s Call Recording feature across the globe, following its announcement back in September.

This feature is rolling out to Pixel 6 and up with Android 14 and up, specifically targeting devices that lack the new AI-powered Call Notes functionality. You can find the new “Call Recording” menu under the Call Assist section in the Phone app > Settings. (This is separate from the Call Notes feature, which arrived in the November Feature Drop for Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and Japan.)

To set it up, you may first have to download some audio files, and then you’ll be prompted to finish setup during your first call. Google implements a brief countdown and a required message to notify all parties that the call is being recorded, accompanied by a red dot next to the call duration. Recordings are saved locally on your device and can be managed in Settings, where you can set them to automatically delete after 7, 14, or 30 days. There are also options to automatically record calls with non-contacts or a specified list of numbers.

We’re seeing this feature appear with version 198+ of Phone by Google.

Poll confirms Pixel speakerphone lag is a major widespread issue

As we previously reported, a frustrating issue has been plaguing Pixel owners where the speakerphone button is laggy or unresponsive during calls, first raised by Pixel 9 users back in May and since joined by Pixel 10 owners.

Now, a survey conducted by Android Authority has corroborated the issue, confirming that this is far from a niche complaint. The poll results reveal a troubling trend: only 27% of all Pixel owners who responded advised that the speakerphone toggle was in perfect working order. This means a damning 73% of respondents are afflicted by the issue, with users across multiple Pixel generations reporting the problem.

The common complaint is having to press the button multiple times or waiting a second or two before the toggle reacts. While some users have found temporary workarounds (like nudging the volume button after toggling speakerphone), the survey’s hundreds of responses confirm that this is a significant and widespread software headache that Google must address, particularly as the problem has persisted through recent updates for some users.