Google is testing a new feature that allows users to customize shortcuts on the Android search widget, which could make it more useful. While this feature isn’t available to everyone yet, some users have already started getting early access to the feature.
Currently, the Google Search widget on the Android home screen has shortcuts for Voice Search and Google Lens. With this update, you may soon have a third shortcut that can be customized to your preferences. Google appears to be experimenting with this in its latest beta, but it’s not widely available yet.
As you can see in the screenshot below, the update introduces a third shortcut to the search widget, represented by a “+” icon. Clicking on this icon opens a menu where you can personalize the appearance of the widget, including its color and transparency. This section was discovered and reported last month, however, there’s also a new section called “Choose a shortcut.”
This is where things become intriguing. You now have the option to choose from five new shortcuts to add to the widget: Translate (text), Song Search, Weather, Translate (camera), and Finance.
You can select only one at a time, and its icon will appear on the search widget. If you prefer, you can also opt not to include a third shortcut at all. It’s worth mentioning that this feature is still in development, and currently, it doesn’t seem to retain your changes when you select a new shortcut.
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However, since much of the foundational work has been completed, we can anticipate that Google will make this available to everyone soon. Additionally, it’s important to note that this does not apply to the Google Search widget that is fixed at the bottom of the UI on Google Pixel devices. This is an encouraging advancement for anyone who frequently uses the Google search widget.
The ability to customize shortcuts will certainly enhance the widget’s utility, providing quicker access to the features you use most often. While it may be a small adjustment, it could significantly impact how you engage with your Android device.
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