The March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop brings a wave of improvements to Android, with a particular focus on user safety and in-car entertainment. Two key features aim to provide greater peace of mind and enhanced security for Android users.
One notable addition is the ability to share your location with trusted contacts through Find My Device. This feature provides a convenient way to coordinate meetups, confirm safe arrivals, and offer general peace of mind. Users retain full control, managing who sees their location and for how long. This functionality requires location services, Google Location Sharing, and an active internet connection.
For those unfamiliar, Find My Device is a vital Google service designed to protect your Android devices and personal data. It allows users to remotely locate, secure, and erase lost or stolen smartphones, tablets, and even accessories. This service can pinpoint the location of missing items on a map, even when the device is offline. It also offers features like playing a sound on misplaced devices, locking them with a PIN, and remotely wiping data to safeguard sensitive information. Recent updates have further bolstered its capabilities, including finding compatible accessories, improving offline functionality, and enhancing overall security for Android users.
Furthermore, as previously hinted at, Google is introducing new AI-powered scam detection tools within Google Messages. This feature identifies conversational text patterns commonly associated with scams, helping users spot potentially dangerous messages that might initially appear harmless.
If a potential scam is detected, Google Messages will provide a real-time warning, allowing users to quickly block and report the conversation. This proactive approach aims to protect users before they lose money or sensitive information.
Beyond security enhancements, the March update also introduces new gaming apps for Android Auto. These “parked-to-play” games offer entertainment options while waiting in the car. The initial lineup includes popular titles like Farm Heroes Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Angry Birds 2, and Beach Buggy Racing.
The rollout of these new Android features is already underway.
In other tech news, Apple surprised many with the unveiling of the next-generation iPad Air. Similar to its 2024 predecessor, the 2025 iPad Air boasts the M3 chip, promising enhanced efficiency and smoother video playback.
