Google Pixel’s ‘Now Playing’ App Launches With Limited Access
▼ Summary
– Google is developing a standalone Now Playing app for the Play Store, moving it out of the Android System Intelligence bundle.
– The new app will have a dedicated interface housing settings, song history, and features, not just being a shortcut.
– This change is expected to enable faster updates and new features, similar to Google’s previous move with the Pixel Weather app.
– Evidence suggests the app will initially remain exclusive to Pixel devices, with installation gated by device-level checks.
– The launch may be tied to an upcoming Pixel Feature Drop, but its wider availability to all Android users is currently unclear.
Google appears to be transforming its popular Now Playing feature into a dedicated app available through the Play Store, a move that could streamline updates and introduce new functionality. This development, discovered within the latest version of Android System Intelligence, suggests a significant shift for the background song identification tool long cherished by Pixel users. While the app’s public listing might hint at broader availability, initial evidence points to it remaining an exclusive experience for Pixel devices, at least in the near term.
Currently, Now Playing operates as a component bundled within Android System Intelligence, the same system service that powers features like Live Caption. Its interface has remained relatively simple for years, primarily offering tabs for song history and favorites. New code strings found in the software, however, explicitly discuss redirecting users to download a new standalone app from the Play Store. This isn’t merely a shortcut; Google describes it as providing a “new home” for Now Playing, where settings, history, and other elements will be housed.
The discovered package name, com.google.android.apps.pixel.nowplaying, strongly indicates this is a fully-fledged application in development. This strategy mirrors Google’s previous approach with the Pixel Weather app, which was spun out into a standalone offering to allow for more rapid improvements and feature rollouts independent of major OS updates. Evidence of this project has been building, with Pixel devices containing a placeholder for the new app since last year.
Despite the planned distribution via the public Play Store, the app’s installation seems to be gated by device checks. This means that even if it appears in the storefront, it will likely be restricted to compatible Pixel phones, maintaining the feature’s exclusivity. The exact launch timeline and any potential redesign of the app’s interface remain unknown. It is also uncertain whether Google will eventually open access to a wider range of Android devices, potentially positioning it as a direct competitor to established song recognition services. The app’s debut could be tied to an upcoming Pixel Feature Drop, offering a tangible software enhancement for users.
(Source: Android Authority)
