At a Glance, the unremovable widget that Google places in the top left of your home screen (and lockscreen) on Pixel devices, might finally be removable. While users have been able to turn off certain features of the widget, its complete removal has never been possible, leading many Pixel owners to move away from Pixel Launcher and opting for 3rd-party options. According to recently found code, this could all change.
The code, when enabled, brings up a new option in the At a Glance menu. It lists “Show on home screen” with an enable/disable button. We have been asking for this option for years, thinking we might first get it back in November of 2023. Seriously, it’s been years, people.
Considering all of the emphasis Google has put on customization of the Android UI lately, this missing option has always been a bit funny. Of course, At a Glance can be very helpful and it can pull all sorts of helpful information, but not everyone may want it permanently stuck on the home screen.
There’s no telling when Google will make this option usable for all users, but this is good progress.
I like At A Glance though.
How about app labels, too?
What would people use instead for that same type of information?
I'd go to the app that has that information and check it myself. Or put 2-3 widgets that show me the pieces of At a Glance that I care about. Or I'd check my notifications that also already have most of that information. Or I'd go without it because most of it isn't really useful or isn't even shown when I need it to be anyway.
I'd prefer icon labels on the home screen being removable.
Its the ONE reason I put a launcher on my pixels.
I surprisingly have the option, but even if you turn it off, the time still stays there.
That option has been there for a while. In its current state, you don't get the space back.
I rather have that persistent Google Search bar on the bottom removed. Honestly, the Google Search bar widget is much better than that one but I won't have two search bars on my Pixel. I find it weird that people dislike the At A Glance so much considering all the help it does provide in surfacing timely information like next appointment, tomorrows weather, package arriving
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At a glance has gotten less helpful and less proactive over the years. I literally only use it for weather…. Or when it wants to nag me about a calendar event that I already got notified about. It's time to let it go Google… Flip the switch