Google’s new Pixel update includes personal safety checks and a bedtime feature

The timely new updates will roll out to Pixel phones globally

Google has announced a set of Pixel updates that promise to extend battery life, improve sleep and give people access to safety tools during emergencies. EPA

Google has just announced the release of its latest Pixel features and it looks like tech lovers have much to be excited about.

In a move that showcases the brand has a finger on the pulse of the current world environment, the Android 10 update promises to extend battery life, improve users' sleep, and give people greater access to safety tools during emergencies.

The new update comes after its inaugural feature update last December, which was quickly followed by another drop in March.

Here are some of the new functions Android users can expect:

Improved safety functions

Pixel has introduced new features available through its Personal Safety app, including crisis alerts, and a safety check option (so users can set up a time in their phone to confirm that they are safe, like after a hike alone. If they don't respond, emergency sharing automatically starts).

Another improvement to the Personal Safety app is the emergency sharing with real time location, allowing emergency contacts updates on the user's location.

The new features, which will be rolled out to all Pixel phones globally, can be accessed by tapping the safety icon in the apps drawer. Those using Pixel 3a or earlier devices, will first need to add the app in Settings.

Bedtime made better

To ensure users are getting enough rest, the clock app can now assist with maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.

Some of the updates include sending users a snapshot of how much time they’re spending awake and on which apps (if they’re up past bedtime), as well as a sunrise alarm function that wakes users up with their favourite track or by gradually increasing the brightness of the screen. Users can also set it to play calming sounds as they fall asleep.

People examine a Google Pixel smartphone. Getty

Integration between recorder app and Google Assistant

A function that plenty are going to be excited about is the ability to start, save and search recordings in the recorder app by simply giving commands. For example, users can say, "Hey Google find my voice recording about lasagna" to find a recipe that had been recorded.

Better yet, this integration between the recorder app and Google Assistant allows users to save transcripts of the recordings directly onto Google Docs.

To do so, users have to go to the recorder app, choose the recording, tap "Transcript", then tap the three dots menu on the top-right corner, to "Save text to Google Docs."

The new Google Assistant capabilities will roll out to Pixel 4 in English, and the Google Docs feature will be available to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4, globally.

Improved battery 

Finally, the adaptive battery, which learns users’ favourite apps and reduces power to ones hardly being used, has been improved. The new adaptive battery will be able to predict when the battery will run out and reduce background activity to keep the phone on for longer.

This will roll out to Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4, globally.

To activate these features, Pixel users have to update to the latest Android version and look out for a notification from the Tips app that will explain how to use the new functions.