New Assistant At a Glance widget starts appearing on more Android phones

The Assistant At a Glance widget on the Razr Plus
(Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google recently announced a redesigned Assistant At a Glance widget for Android phones.
  • The widget has begun appearing on devices and likely requires an update to the Google app, although it's appearing on various different versions.
  • The widget has a new pill-shaped design with a section for weather and a three-dot button menu for style and customization options.

Google's big redesign for the Assistant At a Glance widget is starting to appear on Android devices. The new widget was announced in early September as part of the Android feature drop alongside other updates, and while the rollout seemingly started a few weeks ago, users are starting to notice it now on their devices.

The updated widget comes in a new pill shape design with the left side dedicated to delivering relevant information, such as the date, weather, upcoming Calendar events, and more. A smaller portion on the right is where the weather sits in a Material You-style shape, and between the two sections is a three-dot menu for additional options.

(Image credit: Android Central)

As you can see from the screenshots above, pressing the three-dot button pulls up an overflow menu that informs you about the content you're currently being shown, gives you the option to hide the content, and provides to options for settings. You can select from three different styles, including transparent, semi-transparent, and solid, although style options seem to end there.

The customization setting lets you adjust the type of information you want to see on the At a Glance widget.

Reports of the new widget appearing have been sporadic over the past week, but now it seems to be more widely available. It has appeared on a few of our smartphones, including the Motorola Razr Plus and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. We've noticed it appear with version 14.38.23.28, although other reports have seen it appear with version 14.39.35.28. The new widget also has yet to appear on all of our phones.

The Pixel can also get the new Assistant At a Glance widget, although the permanent At a Glance widget still remains in place and unchanged.

Derrek Lee
Managing Editor

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.

  • Medevac1
    The widget just appeared on the home screen of my Samsung Note 9 this evening.
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    As long as I can remove it, that's all I care about.
    Reply
  • mustang7757
    Yeah agreed on being able to remove it is a long time coming for Pixel owners
    Reply
  • RockySpears
    Mooncatt said:
    As long as I can remove it, that's all I care about.
    Appeared on my Doogee S97 Pro this morning. Never ever used assistant, don't want it. No you don't seem to be able to remove it. Turn it off, yes, remove the massive icon, no. At least I cannot find how to do it.

    Android 11, Kernel 4.14.186

    Did not update anything, this monster just appeared.

    Anyone know how to remove it,, please let me know.

    356503
    Reply
  • denizendi
    Agreed! Detestable eyesore that I don't want or need. Was this sent to torture me? Whoever thought it might be nice to foist this insanity on unsuspecting Android users - with no apparent option for removal, needs to learn to curb their worst instincts. HELP urgently needed to get the f*?#er off my screen!


    356541
    Reply
  • denizendi
    Update 2 days later: In the absence of any genius advice, am now on a mission to subvert THE BLOB ..
    Step 1 : Reducing it's preponderance on my screen - by crowding the bugger out
    Step 2 : Converting it into something more useful - a backdrop for some fitting GRAFFITI
    Step 3 : And this is where I could do with a lead. An elderly LG phone, came with a handy inbuilt tool that would allow me to scrawl or draw anything with my finger, anywhere on the home screen. Can't seem to find any apps that work quite like that now. Help ?
    Step 4 : Discovery - enabling battery saver - whites out the message on THE BLOB - in readiness for graffiti ...
    Reply
  • fuzzylumpkin
    denizendi said:
    Update 2 days later: In the absence of any genius advice, am now on a mission to subvert THE BLOB ..
    Step 1 : Reducing it's preponderance on my screen - by crowding the bugger out
    Step 2 : Converting it into something more useful - a backdrop for some fitting GRAFFITI
    Step 3 : And this is where I could do with a lead. An elderly LG phone, came with a handy inbuilt tool that would allow me to scrawl or draw anything with my finger, anywhere on the home screen. Can't seem to find any apps that work quite like that now. Help ?
    Step 4 : Discovery - enabling battery saver - whites out the message on THE BLOB - in readiness for graffiti ...
    It might be easier to switch to a custom launcher
    Reply
  • denizendi
    fuzzylumpkin said:
    It might be easier to switch to a custom launcher
    To destroy THE BLOB?
    Reply
  • denizendi
    denizendi said:
    To destroy THE BLOB?
    denizendi said:
    Actually - just tried AIO which immediately switched display to dark theme (making THE BLOB more visible) and seemed to want to impose it's own layout over mine (not the aim here). Do they all work that way? Are there any that will allow me to assert my will over my own home screen design?
    Reply
  • Paul_H
    RockySpears said:
    Appeared on my Doogee S97 Pro this morning. Never ever used assistant, don't want it. No you don't seem to be able to remove it. Turn it off, yes, remove the massive icon, no. At least I cannot find how to do it.

    Android 11, Kernel 4.14.186

    Did not update anything, this monster just appeared.

    Anyone know how to remove it,, please let me know.

    356503
    Yeah, I've a s97pro too, just appeared a couple of days ago, really annoying as I try and keep my home screen as uncluttered as possible, and I've absolutely no interest in these functions. Limited data plan, and don't want anything using data in background at all. Tried uninstalling updates, which worked temporarily, but it just re-installed on next boot, requiring a load of settings and premissions to be turned off again for at a glance and discover. In the end, I've just disabled google, and that seems to have got rid of it......
    Reply