Google’s spooky Halloween audio emoji and Google Search’s new recipe feature
Google is gearing up for exciting updates, bringing a fun twist to its Phone app and a practical new feature to Google Search. With Halloween around the corner and AI-driven improvements in search functionality, here’s what you can expect.
Spooky Sounds on Google’s Phone App
Earlier this year, Google introduced an interesting “Audio Emojis” feature in its Pixel 8a phone app. This feature acts as a soundboard, adding playful sound effects to phone calls. Over time, it expanded to other Pixel devices, and now, as Halloween approaches, Google is adding a spooky new sound to celebrate the season.
A Halloween-themed Audio Emoji has been spotted in a beta version of the Google Phone app (version 149.0.682953539-publicbeta-pixel2024). This eerie sound effect includes a sinister laugh, a shrieking cat, and the crash of thunder, all designed to give your phone calls a creepy twist. When activated, it temporarily replaces the “party sound” in the Audio Emoji menu, though it’s unclear if this change will be permanent once the sound officially rolls out.
While there’s no confirmed release date, the spooky sound will likely be available to users ahead of Halloween on October 31. This update adds a fun, seasonal touch to your phone calls, making it something worth trying out before the end of the month.
Google Search is Testing Recipe Integration in Feed
In addition to the fun updates to its phone app, Google is also working on something more practical in Google Search. The company has been experimenting with ways to present more useful information directly within the search results, without requiring users to click through to different websites. One of the latest features being tested is a new way to display full cooking recipes directly within the Google Search feed.
This test builds on Google’s broader effort to make search results more interactive and AI-driven. For tasks like finding a recipe, users can now get all the details they need directly from the feed, saving them time and reducing the need to visit external sites. It’s part of Google’s push to keep users engaged within their platform while offering more immediate value.
The AI-powered feature, once known as the AI Overview, was an earlier attempt to enrich the search experience but didn’t quite hit the mark. Now, Google appears to be focusing on practical applications like cooking recipes as the next step in refining how people use Search.
No Rollout Date Yet, But Changes Are Coming
The recipe feature is still in its testing phase, so it’s hard to say when (or if) it will roll out widely. Like many experimental features, it could see several changes before its official release, and there’s no confirmed launch date yet. But if Google’s tests are successful, this could be a useful addition for anyone looking to streamline their cooking or meal-planning processes.
What’s Next for Google?
As Google continues to innovate and integrate AI into its products, users can expect more useful, engaging features in their favorite apps. Whether it’s seasonal sound effects in your calls or full recipes at your fingertips, Google is finding new ways to make technology both fun and practical.
In conclusion, whether you’re excited for the spooky sounds on Halloween or looking forward to easier access to recipes, Google is working to enhance your experience in ways both big and small. Keep an eye out for these updates as they roll out.