Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google is testing a brand new “Pixel VIPs” dwelling display screen widget throughout the Contacts app that centralizes data from key contacts.
- The widget reveals current calls, messages (together with WhatsApp), location knowledge, birthdays, and permits notes for as much as eight key folks.
- The widget remains to be in its testing section and could also be launched in a future replace to Pixel gadgets.
Google has been engaged on a new Pixel VIPs widget for the Google Contacts app. This widget may seemingly make it simpler to view all of your communication historical past with the individuals who matter probably the most to you. We additionally noticed that the characteristic may combine third-party communication apps too, with WhatsApp being one of the first integrations. We now carry to you a complete have a look at the Pixel VIPs widget and the way it may work in your Pixel.
An APK teardown helps predict options which will arrive on a service sooner or later based mostly on work-in-progress code. Nonetheless, it’s doable that such predicted options might not make it to a public launch.
Because of a supply, we received entry to the introduction video for the Pixel Besties characteristic from throughout the Pixel Ideas app. Check out the video under:
The presence of paw print icons signifies that it is a “dogfood” construct, i.e., a construct used for inside testing. So it’s probably that the characteristic will roll out to Pixel gadgets in an upcoming replace, maybe with Android 16 QPR1.
Because the introduction video showcases, Google Contacts’ Pixel VIPs widget permits you to see the final name and messages (together with from WhatsApp), real-time location, birthday reminders, and extra of as much as eight contacts that you simply set as your VIPs.
As soon as the characteristic is rolled out, you’ll be able to set it up by opening the Contacts app, navigating to the Arrange tab, and tapping Pixel VIPs. Right here, it is possible for you to to decide on as much as eight VIPs. You’ll have to offer permissions for the first-time setup. As soon as finished, you’ll be able to add the Pixel VIPs widget to your property display screen.
The Pixel VIPs widget is 4×1 in dimension on your property display screen and can show the contacts you’ve gotten chosen as your VIPs.
Clicking on a contact right here will open a Google Contacts profile itemizing vital particulars, akin to their Birthday, final name and WhatsApp message, and placement replace.
The placement replace additionally appears to incorporate native climate and time info, which is a pleasant contact. There’s additionally a piece known as “Notes” that may allow you to add notes in regards to the particular person. Additional, there’s additionally a “Issues to do collectively” part, though particulars on how it’s populated should not accessible in the mean time.
Lastly, there’s a “See all” button on the finish. Additionally, don’t miss the fast name, SMS, and WhatsApp shortcuts proper on the header, alongside the three-dot menu button presumably for the Contacts app.
The Pixel Besties widget is undoubtedly a neat contact, one that may put your most vital relationships proper in your telephone’s dwelling display screen. This primary iteration already seems to be fascinating, although I’d like to see Google develop on the concept with a “Feed” widget too, that might spotlight upcoming birthdays and any timed notes, for example. Proper now, it seems to be like you must manually pull up the contact card by way of the widget to study this info. Surfacing this data proper on the house display screen could be fairly useful and would save all of us a couple of clicks and the embarrassment of lacking birthdays.
