The Google Pixel ecosystem has been incredibly busy over the past few days. If you’ve been caught up in the daily grind and missed out on the latest tech developments, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. From massive biometric hardware upgrades to highly requested phone features finally going global, here is a crux-style roundup of the biggest Google Pixel happenings you might have missed this week.
‘Project Toscana’ aims to rival Apple’s Face ID
While Google successfully reintroduced camera-based face unlock starting with the Pixel 7, the current system is practically useless in low-light environments. That is about to change.
Google is reportedly developing a major hardware-based biometric upgrade internally dubbed “Project Toscana.” This initiative is expected to bring highly secure, IR-backed facial recognition to future Pixel phones and Chromebooks. Early UX testing in Mountain View indicates that the new system unlocks devices just as quickly as an iPhone’s Face ID and works flawlessly across various lighting conditions.
Rumors suggest this could utilize an under-display IR camera system, meaning we might get flagship-tier 3D face unlock on the upcoming Pixel 11 without the return of the chunky Pixel 4-era forehead.
Native Call Recording expands internationally
After rolling out broadly to US users late last year, the highly anticipated Call Recording feature in the Pixel Phone app is finally seeing a massive international expansion, heavily hitting European markets this week. The feature is available on the Pixel 6 and newer devices running Android 14 and up. Unlike the Gemini Nano-powered “Call Notes” on newer flagships, this is standard audio recording. It saves the file locally to your device and features an automatic audio disclaimer that alerts all parties that the call is being recorded (a strict requirement for legal compliance).
Google confirmed that all supported markets and languages will have access to this feature by the end of February, just in time for the Pixel 10a launch.
Pixel At a Glance adds Sports and Finance tracking
The beloved Pixel At a Glance feature is getting its first new data types in quite some time. Rolling out with the stable Android 16 February release and the latest Android System Intelligence update, users are now seeing toggles for Sports and Finance.
Once configured, these additions allow you to track live scores for your favorite teams or monitor your Google Finance stock watchlist right from your lockscreen and homescreen. Note that the At a Glance settings menu does warn that keeping live Sports updates active may impact your battery life.
Wasserstein drops a brilliant $9 Pixel Watch 4 travel charger
The Pixel Watch 4 introduced a brand-new side-pin charging system. While it allows for faster charging and a better bedside docking angle, it effectively killed compatibility with all previous Pixel Watch charging accessories.
Thankfully, Made for Google partner Wasserstein has stepped up with an incredibly clever “On the Go” USB-C charger. Instead of having a permanently attached wire, this tiny magnetic dock just features a USB-C port. You simply plug it into a cable you are already carrying.
It includes a loop and clip, making it incredibly easy to attach to a backpack or stow in a tech pouch. While the official Google charger costs $29.99, Wasserstein’s adapter starts at just $9 on their official website (though prices jump closer to $30 if you purchase through third-party retailers like Amazon or Best Buy).
Hillary Keverenge
2665 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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