Google looks to enhance Pixel with a dedicated Now Playing app

New Delhi: Google’s Pixel device could soon receive a separate application for the Now Playing feature. Google is also gearing up to turn the long-running background music recognition tool into a dedicated application that might be released through the Play Store. Now Playing has been available on the Pixel devices for years. This feature will automatically identify songs playing nearby and display the track name and artist on the lock screen. This latest application might arrive with an upcoming Pixel feature Drop, which is expected to arrive in March.

Version B.21 of the Android System Intelligence will include the code strings by suggesting that the Now Playing will move its own application. The reports also suggest that the feature will have a new home, where the settings, song history, and other related options will be available inside the dedicated application. The reports also stated that the users will be directed to the Play Store to install the latest application. The package name is stated to be com.google.android.apps.pixel.nowplaying, and the placeholder icon has reported to already appear on Pixel devices.

This move could enable Google to upgrade Now Playing more frequently and add the latest features independently of system updates. The sources also indicate that the refreshed design and possible syncing of song history across the devices could be part of the future improvements. The Now Playing feature is powered by Android System Intelligence, which also handles features such as Live Caption and Smart Text Selection. The interface is built into the system and uses a simple two-tab layout for History and Favorites. Users can view previously identified songs or mark tracks as favorites, but the design has remained heavily unchanged for some time.