What Google does with its products is curious to say the least: the amount of software and features launches and what an unflattering future awaits some. Yes, in some cases things can go wrong, but in others, like with Google Stadia, it was a lack of care. In other cases, they are directly inexplicable: in recent days it got rid of Google’s cache and put Google Maps’ driving mode under control (in reality, it only changed its location ). And that’s not the only change: one of the most legendary buttons of the Google widget has its days numbered.
He The Google widget is an old acquaintance for those of us who use Android, as it is normally present on the home screen of many Android phones and is very useful. What initially was only quick access to the search engine, currently includes other buttons such as the dedicated one or Google Lens and access to the microphone.
Goodbye Google widget microphone button
Well, precisely this Google widget microphone is the one that disappears. I don’t know about you, but personally this button has not only been useful for speeding up voice searches (for example when I’m walking down the street and don’t want to take my eyes and attention away from the surroundings , or when my hands are busy), but also for example to invoke the Google Assistant without having to use the words to invoke it “Ok Google”, which would also put my Google Home speakers in listening mode. And in the street, be more discreet.
This is what happens when you use the Google widget microphone
A few weeks ago, Google explained that to focus on providing the best possible user experience, it was about ‘removing some underused Google Assistant features‘. Well, it’s one of 18 chosen to disappear in one of the Mountain View giant’s updates. I still have it available and operational on my phone, but at The Verge they have already undergone the goodbye effect, as you can see below. This is what appears when you press the microphone button:
Beyond Google’s justifications, the reality is that when something has been around for so many years, it’s completely normal that many of us have internalized it and its use has become a habit. In this case, Google offers an alternative use: use the magic words to summon it or press and hold the power button.
It is precisely Barbara Krasnoff of The Verge who suggests a good solution for those of us who use this button and we do not want to resort to vocal invocation or simply, it will be difficult for us to change this habit. We will simply locate the Google Assistant application on our phone and move it to the area where we usually had the Google widget microphone and that’s it: doing the same action we will have the same result.
Cover | Montage with photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash, screenshot with Mockuphone and exclamation point icons created by Baianat – Flaticon
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