Jun 10, 2025
Dive into the latest Pixel features, including Pixel VIPs, improved accessibility and more.

The June Pixel Drop is here, so update your Pixel device to get the newest features. You can now create Pixel VIPs, custom Gboard stickers, and use expanded Satellite SOS. Also, explore enhanced accessibility features like live search in Magnifier and AI-powered editing in Google Photos.

• The June Pixel Drop brings cool updates to your Pixel phone, making it more helpful and personalized.
• “Pixel VIPs” widget lets you keep in touch with your favorite people, even bypassing Do Not Disturb.
• Gboard now lets you create custom stickers with AI, using text prompts or photos from your camera roll.
• Satellite SOS expands to Australia, and Recorder gets AI summaries in French and German.
• Magnifier app now has live search, and Android 16 brings new LE audio features for hearing aids.

Your Pixel just got an upgrade with the June Pixel Drop, full of new features and updates that make your devices more helpful, personalized and accessible. ¹ Android 16 also starts rolling out to Pixel devices today. Here are a few new things you can do with your Pixel!
Friends and family are the VIPs in your life — and now you can make them the VIPs in your phone. Available only on Pixel, the new Pixel VIPs widget from the Contacts app helps you stay connected to your favorite people. To get the best Pixel VIPs experience, make sure you add as many details as you can, like birthdays, emails, home addresses and preferences. You can view your last call and message with your VIPs (including ones from WhatsApp), see their location when shared, receive updates for important events like birthdays and more. VIPs can also bypass Do Not Disturb, so you can always stay in touch with the people who matter to you most. ² And sensitive data – like your call log or content of your messages – never leaves your device.
With help from Pixel Studio, you can create a sticker of nearly anything you can imagine right on Gboard, thanks to generative AI. ³ Simply type in your prompt, choose the right emotion and send, without having to switch apps. Need some ideas? An excited jelly avocado, a sad starfish wearing sunglasses, sparkly blue sneakers — these are just a few of the many possibilities. You can even make stickers from photos in your camera roll — the background from an image will be automatically removed so the object of focus becomes your sticker.
We’re bringing existing Pixel features to even more users. Satellite SOS is now available in Australia, so you can connect with emergency services without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. ⁴ And the Recorder app can now provide AI-generated summaries of your recordings in French and German. ⁵
We’re also bringing Clear voice in the Recorder App to Pixel 8 phones, so you can remove background noises from recordings for crystal-clear audio. ⁶
Pixel users can now tap the question mark icon in the upper right hand corner of Pixel’s Camera to see visual inspiration of what each mode does, along with helpful how-to instructions. This new education hub will help you to get the most out of your Pixel Camera.
You can now use live search in the Magnifier ⁷ app in Pixel to help you learn more about your surroundings in real time — without needing to take a picture first. Instead, you can type what you’re looking for, like an item on a menu, and Magnifier will highlight matches on the screen as you move your phone. Your phone will also give a little vibration when it finds something.
Now you can also use new LE audio features with hearing aids on Pixel 9 and newer phones running Android 16. This makes it easy for you to take calls on the go and access your hearing aid presets, as well as change your ambient volume through your Pixel phone settings. ⁸
Expressive Captions ⁹ aims to understand the intensity, nuance and emotion conveyed through speech and now it can even capture elongated words (yessss!). And it’s available in even more countries beyond the U.S., including Canada, the U.K. and Australia.
Soon, editing in Google Photos ¹⁰ will put more power at your fingertips so you can fine-tune your pics in just a few steps. You’ll get AI-powered suggestions that enhance your photos in just a single tap, plus instant access to recommended tools based on what you select to edit and easier access to your favorite tools for complete control.
For the full list of features arriving on your devices in June, check out our community forum post. And be sure to check out more new features coming to Android starting today.
Your Pixel will generally receive Pixel Drops during the applicable Android update and support periods for the phone. See g.co/pixel/updates for details. Availability of some Pixel Drops may vary by phone and device model. Phone, earbuds, watch, and tablet sold separately.
Available on Pixel 6 and newer. Supports Google Messages and WhatsApp services only.
Available on Pixel 9 phones in select countries in English, Japanese, and German only.
Restrictions apply. No additional setup is required. Service included at no additional charge for the first two years after activation of devices. Available only on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Service is available in US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia. Connection and response times vary based on location, site conditions, and other factors. See g.co/pixel/satellitesos for details.
Available only on Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold only in English, Japanese, German, and French. Available on Pixel 8 series and Pixel 9a in English only.
Compared to the previous version of the Recorder App. Available only on Pixel 8 and newer.
Available on Pixel 5 and newer, excluding Pixel Tablet and foldable devices.
Requires Pixel 9 or newer, running Android 16+, and LE Audio hearing devices. Devices must be within Bluetooth sharing distance. Some features, such as ambient volume control, require hearing aid manufacturer support.
Available on Pixel 6 and newer Pixel phones, and other compatible Android devices, running Android 15 or newer. Available only in English in US, CA, UK, and AU. Captions may vary. Check responses for accuracy. Not compatible with phone calls or Netflix.
Results may vary. Available to users 18+.
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GUEST OPINION: If digital marketing is still just publishing without rethinking the strategy, hoping for the best, you truly need to consider how you’re doing it.
And what’s the new MVP to lay your eyes on? AI it is. Real tools and quick, accurate results. So let’s drop the clichés. No fluff, no filler, just a practical map for marketers who want to do better and faster.
AI isn’t an experimental toy anymore. It gives you more than just a way to impress clients. It’s  the key to unlocking smarter, more effective marketing strategies. Still, that’s true if you don’t overuse it or rely solely on its potential.
Let’s not romanticise “doing things manually.” When generative AI can create promos from scratch or apps automate your campaign scheduling, that time goes back into strategy, creative thinking, or simply getting home earlier.
AI isn’t just faster. It thinks differently. It catches patterns, connects data, and proposes ideas that human brains—stuck in routine—often miss. You get a constant stream of “what if” ideas you might’ve never thought of.
You want to grow? You’ll need to scale. And humans alone can’t keep up with the demands of modern content, ad targeting, or customer engagement. AI marketing tools multiply your efforts without multiplying the team.
This isn’t a “robots will replace your job” situation. AI is powerful but still kind of far away from fulfilling it’s job to 100%. Think of it as the one who doesn’t sleep and doesn’t charge by the hour. Here’s how to make the most of that power.
Let’s bring an example of product photography. Nowadays, you don’t even need to download pro-level programs for that – you can have an online AI photo editor, like Photoroom.
Want to change the picture’s background, adjust the lighting, or generate different visual styles from one base photo to bring spice to your e-commerce, SMM, or advertising? It happens in a few taps.
Similarly, if you want, for example, to quickly remove background from a video or overlay subtitles, Movavi has an editor with these specific AI tools, making post-production much easier even for small editorial teams or just beginners.
Chatbots are incredibly annoying: this was the thing in 2017, it’s still relevant in 2025. Still, they’re smarter than most junior support staff.
Chatfuel, for instance, lets businesses build intelligent bots that can guide users through questions, recommend products, and even close a sale—all via messengers and socials. Helps with business promotion and improves conversion, human team stepping aside for much complicated stuff.
It’s AI for marketing that speaks human—literally.
Writer’s block is now a choice. You can brainstorm, scrape trends, test formats, and even predict what type of content might perform well. Want to refresh your ad visuals? AI can generate dozens of variations to A/B test.
It’s not about creativity replacement but supercharging your editorial process.
Analytics isn’t fun. But AI makes it bearable—and way more useful.
Instead of manually filtering through bounce rates and time-on-page stats, modern AI in marketing algorithms delivers pattern recognition. They’ll show you which creatives led to clicks, what kind of language performed well in ads, and which audience segments to stop wasting money on.
For marketers dealing with multi-platform campaigns across advertising, email, and SMM, this kind of insight is gold. It’s the kind of clarity traditional dashboards just don’t offer.
There’s no point in sprinkling AI on top of a dusty marketing plan. To make AI for marketing work, it should be built into the bones of your strategy. Think workflows, not tools. How can AI fit into your planning, production, promotion, and feedback loop? That’s the real win.
And yes—keep the human touch where it counts. AI should do the grunt work, not your storytelling.
Smart use of AI is all about unlocking their time, their ideas, and their reach. And with AI programs already making magic in the backstage, the future of business promotion doesn’t just look smarter—it is smarter.

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Search is going through another evolution—and this time, it’s more than just another algorithm update. With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s LLaMA, the way people find and interact with information is changing rapidly. These advanced models are being woven into search experiences, voice assistants, and everyday digital tools. We’re moving past the era of simply ranking in the top ten blue links; now, the real win is becoming part of the answer itself.

Mohammadreza Ashrafi, CEO of a Digital Marketing agency in Dubai, discusses the future of marketing in the Middle East and wider MENA region. With extensive experience leading campaigns both within Arab countries and Iran and their neighboring Persian-speaking markets, Ashrafi shares grounded insights on how the region’s digital landscape is shifting, particularly with the rise of AI in different languages and revolutionary changes in search habits among the Gen Z.
Let’s talk trends, what’s hot in 2025 and how exactly is AI shaking things up?
Ashrafi: Almost everyone knows these days that Artificial intelligence is genuinely transforming the way we operate, and across the MENA region, we’re seeing this shift gather real momentum thanks to high mobile penetration and digital maturity. At our agency for example, we’ve been integrating AI tools to analyse real-time behaviour and deliver more relevant campaigns across both Arabic- and Persian-speaking markets.
With third-party cookies on the way out, AI helps us make far smarter use of first-party data. From dynamic segmentation to content personalisation, the results have been significant. We’re also experimenting with generative AI tools but always with human oversight to maintain cultural authenticity. A market forecast anticipates the Middle East’s AI sector will grow by over 43% annually until 2033 according to IMARC Group. Another whitepaper published in May 2025 by SleekFlow, indicates that more than 60% of businesses in the UAE are already tapping into AI, and similar momentum is building in Iran as well.
When it comes to typing’s old news, how are people searching now, and what should marketers do to keep up?
Ashrafi: People aren’t just typing into search bars anymore. Voice and visual search are gaining popularity, particularly among the younger crowd in the region. According to a recent Google report, Google Lens now handles around 20 billion visual searches monthly, with shopping queries being a large part of that. In the MENA region, where image-rich communication and mobile usage dominate, these shifts are even more pronounced.
We’re now optimising content not just for text-based SEO, but for voice and visuals, especially in Arabic and Persian. We’ve made changes like incoporating local dialects into FAQs, using structured data, and ensuring images are properly tagged. Speed matters too! most voice searches happen on mobile, so fast-loading, mobile-friendly pages are essential.
If we cling to the metaphor of David vs. Goliath, then how can smaller brands realistically outsmart the big FMCG players?
Ashrafi: The larger brands obviously enjoy more resources and visibility, but that doesn’t mean smaller players can’t make their mark. At Lamana Agency for example, we’ve seen real success through targeted, data-driven campaigns that let smaller brands speak directly to niche audiences. We’ve worked with startups in Iran that managed to outperform much larger competitors using this approach.
Social commerce is another leveller. If we look at other fresh insights, A recent Ramadan sales analysis showed that around 30% of online shopping in Saudi Arabia took place via social media. When smaller brands use Instagram Shops, WhatsApp Commerce, or shoppable TikTok content with the right local influencers, they can achieve a very strong return without big retail partnerships.

How about the Gen Z trend these days. Is it a misunderstood hype or the most important audience of our time?
Ashrafi: Gen Z in the MENA region are incredibly digital-savvy but also socially conscious. According to a regional consumer insight report by EY (Ernst & Young), 92% of Gen Z say they want brands to be transparent and honest. A growing number are using platforms like TikTok as their main discovery and search tools in the Arab world. However in Iran, despite the limits of using social media, Instagram is still on the top when it comes to popularity.
In both Arabic and Persian campaigns, we’ve seen great results by co-creating content with young micro-influencers. One project in Saudi Arabia used short Reels infused with humour and local language which outperformed conventional ads four times over. Whether in Tehran or Dubai, the story is the same: Gen Z wants entertaining, meaningful, and ethical content, and a Gen Z’s audience behaviour in MENA, might be different from the one in north America or Europe
Does this mean influencer marketing past its prime, or just getting smarter?
Ashrafi: Not at all. it’s just matured. Big-name influencers don’t have the pull they once did. Instead, we’re seeing far better engagement from micro- and nano-influencers, especially those who speak directly to a community or subculture. And the key is understanding the generation and the complex layers of subcultures.
Recent Scarlet Media Report suggests that micro-influencers in the region generate engagement rates between 10–20%. We now use AI tools to select influencers not only by metrics but also by alignment with the brand’s values and audience. In one UAE campaign, working with local food influencers lifted ROI by 38% over traditional sponsored posts. It’s the same story in Iran, where audiences crave relatable, trusted voices more than star power.
“Phygital” is a buzzword, but is it actually useful or just marketing speak?
Ashrafi: Blending physical and digital experiences, what we call ‘phygital’ is quickly becoming expected, especially in retail. A regional market study by Thee Digital revealed that mobile commerce in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran already accounts for over 90% of all online transactions.
We’ve helped brands launch AR-powered virtual try-ons and digital displays that sync with customer profiles. Consumers expect seamless journeys between the digital and real worlds. If you’re not delivering that, you’re already behind.
How do brands speak to modern consumers without offending cultural norms while they need to be bold and respectful?
Ashrafi: Cultural sensitivity is non-negotiable in this region. A campaign that feels clever in Beirut might be seen as tone-deaf in Tehran, so far in London. You have to really understand local values, holidays, dialects and even colours and humour.
In our agency, we always bring in local voices to vet creative before launch. We’ve worked with Iranian artists and Arab influencers alike to localise not just language but mood and message. And one may think if the language of the campaign is English then the problem with culture is resolved, which is a wrong hypothesis in my opinion.
 
What should we brace for post-2025 in MENA marketing?
Ashrafi: I think we’re entering a phase where AI will do more than support, it will lead. We’re looking at AI agents running campaign logistics, AR driving brand interaction, and communities shaping brand narratives.
Several forecasts point to AI-driven marketing agents and immersive experiences becoming common practice. The brands that win will be those that embrace innovation while keeping a strong grip on local relevance. Whether you’re marketing in Persian, Arabic, or English, the human connection is still what matters most.
Final thought: what’s the one thing global marketers consistently underestimate when entering MENA markets?
Ashrafi: Without a doubt, it’s the depth and diversity of culture. You can’t run a campaign in Toronto, however diverse it is, the same way you would in Tehran or Casablanca. Success in the Middle East isn’t just about translating your message and it’s about understanding the cultural context behind it. That comes from either being native to the region or taking the time to study it deeply.
Too often, international marketers apply a one-size-fits-all approach, and it simply doesn’t work. At Lamana, our team includes people from different parts of the region, which allows us to tailor each campaign with cultural fluency. If you’re serious about marketing here, cultural intelligence isn’t optional. It’s your greatest asset.
Bonus question: If surprisingly sanctions ease between Iran and the US, is Iran ready for a global marketing wave and what role could agencies like yours play in it?
Ashrafi: That’s an excellent and timely question. Iran has an incredibly educated, youthful, and digitally engaged population. If even partial sanctions are lifted, the market could open very quickly to international brands looking for fresh growth opportunities. But it’s not a plug-and-play market.
Global agencies will need local partners who understand the nuances of Iranian culture, language, regulation, and consumer psychology. That’s where agencies like Lamana can have something to say as we already have the operational know-how and cultural insight from working on the ground. We can act as a strategic bridge, helping foreign brands avoid missteps and find authentic ways to engage Iranian audiences. The appetite is there for sure, the question is whether the execution will match the opportunity or not.

Best Online Reputation Management Companies: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide  Detroit Metro Times
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