Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
TL;DR Google is preparing to turn Pixel’s Now Playing feature into a standalone app distributed via the Play Store.
Our findings suggest the app won’t be installable on all Android devices, pointing to continued Pixel exclusivity.
The change could enable faster updates and new features, with a possible launch tied to an upcoming Pixel Feature Drop.
Google seems to be working on a major upgrade for one of the Pixel’s oldest and most-loved features — Now Playing. The signs have been there since last year, but a new version of Android System Intelligence now clearly shows that the company is working on making Now Playing a dedicated app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
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Right now, the background song identification feature is bundled into Android System Intelligence, which also powers tools like Live Caption and Smart Text Selection. Its interface hasn’t changed much over the years, with a basic layout that shows the History and Favorites tabs.
That setup may soon change. Version B.21 of Android System Intelligence includes code strings (h/t 9to5 Google) suggesting that Now Playing could soon be spun out into its own app. One string explicitly references redirecting users to the Play Store, while another says users will be prompted to “Download the new Now Playing app.”
The text also makes it clear that this will be more than just a shortcut. Google says Now Playing will have a “new home,” with settings, song history, and other features housed inside the standalone app. The package name “com.google.android.apps.pixel.nowplaying” further suggests that this is being built as a full-fledged app, not just a system UI tweak.
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