Good things are coming to Pixel users who wait.
After teasing private browsing at its Pixel event last October, Google is finally delivered. Today, the search giant dropped a bunch of new features for its line of smartphones, including this built-in VPN for its Google One cloud storage service. Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro users will now have access to this VPN through the Google One app at no additional cost and no subscription required.
Google One VPN works by encrypting your internet activity and hiding your IP address. If you use a public network or just don’t want your location tracked, a VPN gives you that protection. In the Google One app, users can toggle “Use a VPN” to instantly protect their browsing data and location. Apple has a similar tool for iPhones called Private Relay which also comes with a subscription to its iCloud+ or Apple One services, but it’s not free for iPhone 14 users. That said, Private Relay only protects the user traffic in the company’s own web browser, Safari.
In addition to the VPN announcement, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro now have a module to check security and privacy in one place; a Clear Calling feature that enhances the caller’s voice and reduces background noise; and an improved recording app that can identify and tag speakers in the recorded transcript.
