Pixel phones are getting free Audible, scam detection in your keyboard, and Harry Potter magic

Published Sep 15, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT I've been covering Android and other mobile technology for close to ten years now, with a specific interest in phone accessories, e-readers, and what makes each individual phone different from another. I delight in looking at the phone market from as many angles as possible, and while my opinions may be odd, at times, they're always from the heart as much as the head. I have a background in the mobile accessories world, which explains my odd enthusiasm for cases and things that clip onto smartphones. I worked for Digital Trends from 2017 to 2025. Sign in to your Android Police account The news cycle is all about Apple's recent announcements, but a little thing like a folding iPhone won't stop Google from announcing the latest new tricks coming to Pixel phones. September's Pixel Drop is now public knowledge, and it's a doozy. Not only are Pixel owners getting some handy new ways to call their Pixel VIPs, but they can also get access to two months of Audible, and a bunch of Harry Potter themes to celebrate the release of the new full cast audiobooks. Grab two months of Audible for free Plus all the Harry Potter themes you can shake a wand at Credit: Google A new series of Harry Potter audiobooks are out on Audible, and rather than being voiced by a single narrator, each book has individually cast actors. So rather than being read a story by a single narrator, you're instead listening to a full audioplay, including sound effects and a brand-new soundtrack. It's a big time for fans, and so Google is celebrating that with a number of new Harry Potter themes for your Pixel. With just one tap, your wallpaper, icons, and sounds are transformed into Harry Potter-themed versions. And to make sure you don't miss out, Google is also offering a two-month trial to Audible, so you can grab the first books. The terms for this offer aren't yet known though, so we don't know whether it's just for new users, or whether it's for the Premium tier, or the of Audible. Pixel VIPs get some love, while scams do not Scam detection lives in your keyboard now , the feature that lets you designate certain contacts as special, is getting some additional love in September's drop. Pixel VIPs now get an updated home screen widget which can be used to call at a single tap. A floating navigation menu means you can switch between VIPs with ease, while new notification badges mean it's harder to miss those important calls. But more importantly, is getting a big boost. It now lives in your Gboard, meaning it can warn you about scams in a variety of chat apps, and give you a quick explanation of why it thinks that too. This feature is only available in the US, though. All of these new features are available on Pixels from the Pixel 6 and newer. The Pixel Watch gets some new features too Improvements and expansions for your smartwatch The Pixel Watch isn't left out in the cold either. The 's Raise to Wake feature has gotten some tweaks, making it better. But it's the and newer that's getting a more fun feature. One-handed gesture controls are expanding out a bit, and you can now do a pinch gesture above your watch to open your notifications.