One in every of my favorite options of the Pixel expertise, even for the reason that early days, is Google’s At a Look widget.
It sits quietly on the prime of your own home display screen, letting you understand necessary info just like the climate, your subsequent calendar occasion, commute info and extra, with out really needing to open an app. It’s not the flashiest or sexiest function – in actual fact, I’d argue it’s massively underrated – but it surely’s the form of function that really makes your cellphone really feel good with out AI.
Nicely, it seems to be like that final half is about to vary, with Google rumoured to be engaged on a ‘Gemini makeover’ for At a Look, with added AI smarts and extra personalised strategies.
Now, that might both be an excellent addition to one of many Pixel’s unsung heroes, or it may destroy what made it so good within the first place.
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it’
The principle enchantment of At a Look has at all times been within the identify; it provides you fast, glanceable info with none distractions or any enter required.
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In the event you’re working late, it’ll verify your Google Calendar, present you your subsequent occasion and the way lengthy it’ll take to get there. In case your flight has been delayed, it’ll inform you with out having to undergo your emails or convoluted airline web sites. It’s simply there, working within the background to serve the data you want, simply on the proper time.
It’s the one function I actually miss once I’m not utilizing a Pixel cellphone; different Android telephones provide help for the widget, however the true smarts are unique to Google’s telephones.
The chance with slapping Gemini smarts on prime is that it tries to do an excessive amount of. If it turns into one other overly sycophantic AI assistant, stuffed with generic strategies and cutesy summaries, it may lose the simplicity that makes it so useful.
Smarter could possibly be higher
That stated, I’m not totally in opposition to utilizing AI to enhance techniques; it’s simply the way it’s applied, and the way a lot worth it provides to the expertise, slightly than merely being a brand new AI function that Google can promote.
If Gemini may make At a Look extra helpful with out getting in the way in which, it may turn into a correct promoting level for the Pixel.
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Think about it recognizing patterns in your routine and surfacing info as you want it; not simply your subsequent assembly, however whether or not you might need time to cease at your favorite place for lunch on the way in which, or whether or not you’ll want an umbrella as soon as the assembly is over.
I feel the important thing right here is subtlety; the second that At a Look begins pushing pointless prompts or spamming you with info you don’t need or want, individuals will merely take away the widget from their dwelling screens. But when it could actually keep true to its identify whereas getting genuinely smarter, that’d be an enormous win.
It’s time for it to get the popularity it deserves
Google has spent numerous time, effort and cash making an attempt to show that Pixels are extra than simply inventory Android telephones with a pleasant digicam setup. At a Look has at all times been probably the greatest examples of what that distinction really seems to be like in day by day use – quiet, intelligent and genuinely useful.
With Gemini on board, it would lastly get the highlight it deserves. I simply hope it doesn’t get misplaced within the glare…
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