After initial testing in May, Google today has widely rolled out a redesign of Android’s default Weather app. Part of Google Search, the experience was overdue for a modernization.
Update 9/9: As of today, the new Google Weather is widely available for all Android users. This includes those on the stable (12.34) and beta (12.35) channel of the Google app. Be sure to update via the Play Store.
Upon launching from the At A Glance widget, homescreen shortcut icon (which Android 12 Beta 5 users have to do), or Search, the screen is initially white before theming to the current weather condition. The system gesture bar remains white, but the top portion now fully matches. Meanwhile, you can tap the new profile avatar to change temperature units between Fahrenheit and Celsius, as well as “Add to homescreen.”
However, there is a bug in the search bar when switching locations as a “0” location appears and does not load upon selection.
Update 9/5: The Google Weather redesign on Android is back for some people. This current version addresses the previous white status bar by properly theming it to match the weather condition.
Due to bugs, it was not ready back in May, but hopefully Google has worked out the issues and widely rolls it out soon. It comes as the Nest Hub and Hub Max are picking up Air Quality (AQI) cards in the US, while a Material You weather widget is expected for Android 12. It’s unclear if that homescreen item is related to this Weather app.
Thanks Dee!
Update 6/1: A week after first appearing, Google has rolled back the redesigned Weather app. One possible motivation is the bug related to switching and searching for different cities. This removal was done server-side this morning, though you might not have noticed it until a minor beta update.
Original 5/25: Before this, Google had not touched the Weather experience on Android for several years. This revamp brings many Material Theme flourishes like a search bar with rounded corners and updated tab indicators for Today, Tomorrow, and 10 days.
Meanwhile, the navigation drawer has been replaced by your profile avatar in the top-right corner. Tapping reveals an account dropdown with settings to change Temperature units and an “Add to homescreen” shortcut.
One rather odd aesthetic styling that Google opted for in this Weather redesign is a stark white status bar that was previously themed to the current weather condition. The new color matches the navigation and search bar but is too bright — especially when the system dark theme is active. Google will hopefully tweak this in a future update as the account picker currently respects night modes.
There are no other changes to the core forecasting experience with the company still leveraging weather.com for data. There are currently some bugs when tapping the search bar to switch cities. Your full list of saved locations is not properly loading.
Google app 12.20 is currently in the beta channel, and launching weather from the Pixel Launch’s At a Glance widget or through the search results page loads this redesign. It should be available in the stable channel soon.
More about Google Search:
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- Google Search adds ‘DVD screensaver’ Easter egg that might eventually hit the corner
- Search ranking will factor ‘page experience’ and speed from June as AMP icon set to disappear
- Google adds AR Pac-Man, 3D Hello Kitty, Gundam, and other Japanese characters
Author: Abner Li
Source: 9TO5Google
