Google is moving to end the simple way Android users used to check the weather. The company began to dispense with the weather shortcut that used to work as a light experience within the search application, and replaced it with a new interface that relies entirely on web results.
Since last November, Google began testing redirecting users to a new weather page in search results, as part of a limited experiment.
But reports now indicate the change is starting to roll out more widely, meaning the end of the simplified weather experience users have relied on for years is near.
When tapping the weather shortcut from the home screen, the user is now taken to a search results page displaying weather data in a familiar layout that includes a Froggy wallpaper, an AI-driven summary, a 10-day forecast, and drop-down menus to display air quality, humidity, wind, and precipitation percentages.
Although the same information is still available, the experience is no longer the standalone full-screen mode it used to be, but rather more like a traditional search page with links and additional content as you scroll.
Some believe that this represents a decline in the user experience, especially since Google does not provide a general official weather application for all Android devices, except for the exclusive application for Pixel phones.
The change has not yet reached all users, as some devices retain the old experience, but indicators suggest that complete cancellation is a matter of time.
