Google’s Expressive Captions finally bring feeling to subtitles [Video]

The December instalment of the now-traditional Pixel Drop is here for users of Google’s homegrown range of Pixel phones and tablets, with other features coming to the entire Android ecosystem.

Needless to say, this month’s slate of new features has a heavy slant towards generative AI features and the Gemini AI app. However, the pick of the bunch is the new Expressive Captions feature for Android phones, which is an extension of the Live Captions feature for video content. It’s now, well, more expressive.

So, if you’re watching an NFL game, for instance, the closed captions (or subtitles to us Brits) will reflect the emotion and intensity of the commentator’s call.

What before may have simply been: “To the three. They’re going to stop him short.”

Would now be: “To the three. [gasps] THEY’RE GOING TO STOP HIM SHORT! [cheers and applause]”

It’ll pick up on the excitement in people’s …