Pixel 10 ‘Comfort’ view, custom AI icons

With the Android 16 QPR3 update, Google today announced the March 2026 Feature Drop and this is a pretty sizable release.

Pixel phones are adding custom icons generated by AI. Google offers several styles to redesign all your homescreen icons: Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust. This is available on Pixel 6 phones and newer. In a related development, SpongeBob SquarePants is the latest Pixel Theme pack. 

Comfort view offers a refined display color filtering mode to reduce visual stimulation from very bright or saturated colors. This is intended to improve viewing comfort for sensitive users on the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold.

Google is updating Magic Cue with restaurant recommendations inside conversations. When your friends are looking for restaurants, your Pixel will proactively suggest a search based on criteria surfaced in the chat. This is available on the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

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At a Glance is expanding with new types of information. Sports offers real-time scores in the form of a card on your lock and homescreen. Teams are based on what you follow in Google Search and already receive notifications for. Finance will show end-of-day updates from top movers in your Google Finance watchlist. This is available on Pixel 6 phones and newer. 

The final addition is My Commute for real-time updates on departures, delays, and alternative routes. For example, you might see “Significant delays on work route: The Blue line from Main Station is delayed.” This is available on Pixel 7 phones and newer. 

The Connected Cameras feature released a year ago now works with supported camera applications and DSLRs (UVC supported devices) via cable. This is available on Pixel 6 phones and newer. 

Android 16 QPR3 brings desktop Pixel experiences when you connect an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This provides a desktop, multi-window experience on Pixel 8 phones and newer with USB DisplayPort out. 

The Pixel Tablet also gets Desktop Windowing to arrange and resize windows.

As announced with the Galaxy S26 last week, the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL are getting Gemini automation. This task assistance can be used to book rides and order food or groceries. 

Behind the scenes, Gemini launches that app in a secure window. It will tap, scroll, and type to accomplish your request. You can watch this happen in real-time or have it work in the background with notifications keeping you up-to-date. This can be halted at any time. Once complete, you’ll be prompted to take the final purchase or booking. 

This March Pixel Feature Drop also includes the Gemini 3 updates for Circle to Search that can simultaneously identify multiple objects in a screenshot.  

Several Pixel features are getting broader availability with the March 2026 Feature Drop:

• The Journal app’s AI-powered Reflection, Revisit Topics, and Mood ID features are now available on the Pixel 9 series. 
• Notification summaries are now available in Japanese on Pixel 9 phones and newer (A-series excluded).
• Call Notes is now available in India on Pixel 10 phones. 
• Scam Detection in the Phone by Google app is now available in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Germany, and Japan. This leverages on-device AI to detect malicious in-call speech patterns. You get verbal and haptic feedback to look at your phone. This is available on Pixel 9 phones and newer (A-series excluded).
• Guided Frame provides blind and low-vision users with more scene details. This AI-powered feature is now available on Pixel 6 phones and newer.