A report shows that Google is developing a new feature for its native pixel recorder app to eliminate background noise and enable clearer voice playback when recording audio on its smartphones. It was discovered during the APK teardown of Android’s app. The app is unique to Google’s Pixel series devices such as the latest Pixel 9 series and offers features like transcription and speaker tags powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
Clear voice function in pixel recorder
In a report, Android Authority worked with assembly and debugging, stressing that clear voice features were found under the removal of the APK of Recorder App version 4.2.20241001.701169069. As the name implies, it will suppress background noise and determine verbal content near the phone.
The report shows that it is called “HDMIC” internally and that new recordings have been turned off by default. Digging into the application’s code reveals strings that reference the feature, which “reduces background noise when recording clearer voice playback”.
However, there are some warnings. For beginners, it uses the phone’s internal microphone and cannot be used with the external microphone. Additionally, it does not support stereo, only mono audio.
The feature is reportedly inactive at the moment, and even side-sided the latest version of the Pixel device recorder app doesn’t seem to activate it. It is said that server-side components are required for activation.
Recorder application shortcuts
In June, Google announced a new update to the recorder app, which introduced shortcuts to the home screen. It is a red circle on a white background, matching the larger floating action button (Fab). Now you can place a new record shortcut on the home screen to quickly start recording. Its arrival is said to enhance real-time transcription capabilities by quickly accessing it.
