A fresh look at AT a Glance as an Android tool

Some folks want the option to ditch At a Glance from the top of their Pixel homescreen. I get why—it’s a personal choice—but I like having it there. It’s a handy spot for important updates, and I bet most people find it helpful every day. Still, in 2025, it feels like At a Glance could do so much more for Android users.

This feature sits in a perfect place—right at the top of your main homescreen and lock screen. It shines with things like calendar reminders, commute info, or a nudge to leave on time. Just wake your phone, and there’s useful stuff you can act on right away. It even helps travelers by showing things like which baggage claim to head to after a flight.

But here’s the thing: Google could jazz it up. Instead of plain text, why not use the whole space with visuals? Imagine a weather card that doesn’t just say “rain tomorrow” but shows a quick hourly breakdown. Simple, yet way more useful. Think of it as tiny widgets or those slick Wear OS Tiles. The Pixel Battery widget squeezes three devices into one line—perfect vibes for At a Glance.

Other cool fits could be a Google Home shortcut, a World Clock with a few cities, a Fitbit stats tracker, a quick note jotter for Keep, or even YouTube Music’s current song—all with see-through backgrounds. Let’s dream bigger: what if apps—Google’s or others—could pop little cards into At a Glance? Picture a weather one with the temp now and the next few hours, tappable to dive deeper. It already pulls in rideshare updates or workout progress, so letting more apps join could spark some awesome ideas from developers.

To take off, though, At a Glance should grow beyond Pixels and land on all Android phones. It’s already a basic widget in the Google app, showing weather, events, orders, and travel info. Imagine Android 16’s live updates—like delivery or navigation pings—popping up there instead of crowding your notifications. On Pixels, that top space feels made for it.

Samsung’s got its “Now Bar” and “Live Notifications,” which lean toward controls rather than quick info. That’s fine, but chasing Apple’s Dynamic Island might overcomplicate things for Android fans. Instead, let’s make At a Glance the new Google Now—a spot for smart, helpful updates for everyone. If Pixels prove it works, Android should roll it out wide and make it a win for all.