The Google app on your Android phone is getting a helpful new feature

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published May 23, 2024

Google app on Android beta showing Notifications. — Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

The Google app for Android phones is getting a helpful new feature to make search even better. The latest beta has a dedicated “Notifications” feed in its bottom bar. The feature was first introduced on the mobile version of Google for Android earlier this year. The app feature was first noticed by 9to5Google.

The app now includes a Notifications option at the bottom, next to Discover, Search, and Saved items. The Notifications section displays a continuous list of alerts from Google Search, weather conditions, flight information, sports scores, movies and TV shows, and more. The notifications are grouped under “Today” and “Earlier.” This feature should prove handy if you miss a notification from the Google app, as it provides a more focused view than Android’s system-level history.

Recommended Videos

When you tap on a notification, it takes you to a page related to the search term. In the overflow menu, you can delete items and instruct Google to stop sending notifications with similar terms.

Android Google app beta showing Notifications. — 9to5Google

The new Notifications screen is accessible through the latest beta version of the Google app (version 15.20). If you aren’t already enrolled in the Google app beta, you can sign up for free.

As of right now, it appears you need to be part of the beta if you want the Notifications tab. The latest public version of the app (version 15.19) doesn’t seem to have it quite yet. It’s unclear when exactly Google plans to roll out the Notifications page for users not on the beta version, but given how useful the feature looks, we certainly hope it’s sooner rather than later.

Topics

Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

Carriers claim new FCC rule will make your phone more expensive

A screenshot of the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, showing a promo for the new T Life app.

In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a rule requiring carriers to unlock phones within 60 days of purchase. According to Wired, two of the largest carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile, are advising caution, saying it could negatively impact consumers. In a recent filing to the FCC, T-Mobile explains: “If the Commission mandates a uniform unlocking policy, it is consumers — not providers — who stand to lose the most.”

It continues: “Consumers risk losing access to the benefits of free or heavily subsidized handsets because the proposal would force providers to reduce the lineup of their most compelling handset offers." In a note to the FCC, AT&T said that "requiring providers to unlock handsets before they are paid off would ultimately harm consumers by creating upward pressure on handset prices and disincentives to finance handsets on flexible terms."

Mobile

Apple’s new app could be the next big thing in mobile gaming

Apple Vision Pro gameplay of Gibbon: Beyond the Trees.

Mobile gaming isn't what it used to be. While we might all look back fondly on the days of playing Snake on an old, indestructible Nokia, platforms like Apple Arcade have revolutionized on-the-go gaming. You can do so much more than play silly time-wasters now; there's a litany of addictive, engrossing games that are on par with consoles and PC in terms of performance. And now it seems likeApple has set its sights on trying to create a Discord-like experience.

Details on this come courtesy of 9to5Mac, which cites "reliable sources familiar with the matter." That's not much to go on, so it's OK to be somewhat skeptical of the news, which centers on a new app that is said to combine features from both the App Store and the Game Center, as well as chat features, into one place.

Mobile

The Google Messages app is getting a few important safety features

google messages scam identity fraud package delivery spam features detect

Google’s software theme for 2024 has been safety. With the arrival of Android 15, the company added a host of anti-theft measures for phones, and later locked the Find My system behind biometric check. Next in line is the Messages app.

Earlier today, the company announced enhanced scam detection, putting special focus on package delivery scams and job frauds. Package delivery frauds have been on the rise lately, and they are being used for everything from brushing scams to those extorting money in the name of fake package delivery problems.