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What you need to know
Google’s Pixel smartphones include an At a Glance widget, designed to deliver timely information to users based on their preferences and usage patterns. Recent reports suggest that Google is exploring enhancements to this feature, enabling it to display real-time sports scores directly on the home screen. This potential update could provide Pixel devices with a compelling rival feature to the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, which already supports live sports score notifications.
The At a Glance widget has long been a prominent feature on Pixel devices, valued for its subtle yet functional display of essential information. The widget adapts dynamically to a user’s habits, time of day, and the status of connected smart home devices. According to findings from an APK teardown detailed by 9to5Google, new capabilities related to sports updates are reportedly being integrated into the widget.
The analysis conducted by 9to5Google on version 13 of the Android System Intelligence application uncovered several code snippets that suggest the widget might soon be able to “show sports updates” on both home and lock screens. An example from the code highlights integration with a feature dubbed “gemini_space_sports_score”:
Show sports updates from %1$s. These might affect battery life.
This reference to “Gemini” implies a potential transition in how Google’s features are structured, moving away from Google Assistant towards the Gemini framework. This pivot aligns with Google’s broader strategic focus, as they explore deeper integration of AI-driven features across their platforms.
The introduction of live sports scores in the At a Glance widget could mark a significant enhancement for Android users, particularly for those with Pixel devices. Apple has been strengthening its foothold in the sports entertainment arena by acquiring broadcasting rights for Major League Soccer and launching the Apple Sports app, alongside utilizing the Dynamic Island to provide real-time scoring updates. By incorporating sports-related content into the At a Glance widget, Google could improve Pixel’s competitive edge in this space, addressing the needs of sports enthusiasts.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that this feature is still under development and its release is not guaranteed. If it ultimately becomes available, it could represent a standout feature for sports fans using Pixel devices.
Source
www.androidcentral.com