After years of requests from users, Google is finally giving Pixel owners the option to disable the At a Glance widget on the Pixel Launcher. This change was spotted in the works as part of the Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 update, which was released yesterday.
As Pixel device owners know all too well, the At a Glance widget is a small text based bar that sits at the top of the primary home screen of the Pixel launcher. It displays information such as the weather, calendar events, and traffic conditions — and while the widget can be useful — the fact that it cannot be disabled has been the cause of complaints about its intrusive nature.
However, as spotted by Mishaal Rahman, Android 14's latest beta includes a hidden toggle that will allow you to completely hide the "At a Glance" widget from the home screen, thus freeing that space up for other app icons and/or widgets. This is a change that is expected to be welcomed by many Pixel phone users that would like more control over the way their device's home screen looks.
Source - Mishaal Rahman
However, it's important to note that this change is still a few months away from being available to the general public. The Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 update is currently only available to developers and beta testers, and the "Add At a Glance to home screen" settings toggle is still not active. Furthermore, The final release of Android 14 QPR beta builds is not expected to be released until next year.
Historically, customization options on the Pixel launcher had been pretty limited, with some users having to opt for using a third party launcher that offers more flexibility. For Pixel phone owners, hiding the At a Glance widget will open new possibilities and might entice them to give the out of the box experience a chance. Now, if only the Pixel launcher would also support icon packs, then we'd really be in business.
Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and official member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
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