Pixel Recorder App Could Soon Get a ‘Clear Voice’ Feature for Background Noise Reduction

Google is growing a brand new function for its native Pixel Recorder app to get rid of background noise and allow clearer speech playback when recording audio on its smartphones, in accordance with a report. It was noticed throughout an APK teardown of the app for Android. The app is unique to Google’s Pixel lineup of units corresponding to the newest Pixel 9 collection and presents options corresponding to transcription and speaker labelling, powered by synthetic intelligence (AI).

Clear Voice Feature in Pixel Recorder

In a report, Android Authority, teaming up with Assemble Debug, highlighted that the Clear Voice function was found following an APK teardown of the Recorder app model 4.2.20241001.701169069. As the identify suggests, it can suppress the background noise and prioritise spoken content material within the neighborhood of the handset.

The report reveals it’s internally known as “hdmic” and is turned off by default for the brand new recordings. Delving into the app’s code revealed strings referencing the function which states, “Reduce background noise whereas recording for clearer speech playback.”

However, there are a number of caveats. For starters, it makes use of the telephone’s inner microphone and won’t work with exterior mics. Further, it doesn’t have help for stereo and solely help mono audio.

The function is reported to be inactive in the intervening time and even sideloading the newest model of the Recorder app for Pixel units doesn’t appear to activate it. It is claimed to require a server-side element for activation.

Recorder App Shortcut

In June, Google introduced a brand new replace for the Recorder app which launched a shortcut for the house display. It seems as a crimson circle on a white background, matching the bigger floating motion button (FAB). The new Record shortcut can now be positioned on the house display to rapidly begin a recording. Its arrival is claimed to supply a lift to the reside transcription capabilities by bringing fast entry to it.