The ‘at a glance’ widget in the Pixel Launcher has been expanded quite extensively in the last few weeks and should now be able to display a whole bunch of new information for many users. But Google’s developers continue to work on the expansion and could soon have an interesting notification for online shoppers ready: the actual arrival or collection of a package.
Anyone who receives parcels frequently will have tracked them at one time or another and will know exactly when they arrive, where they are or whether they have perhaps already been placed in front of the door. However, this information comes entirely from the databases of the transport service providers and is not always entirely reliable.
<string name=”default_doorbell_title”>Doorbell</string>
<string name=”echo_smartspace_package_delivery_toggle_title”>Package delivery</string>
<string name=”echo_smartspace_package_delivery_toggle_subtitle”>Know when a package is delivered or picked up</string>
Therefore, Google would like to soon introduce a new feature for the ‘at a glance’ widget in Pixel Launcher, which will inform about the actual change in the last step. There are indications in the strings that the Nest doorbell camera recognizes when a package has been dropped off or picked up.
It is not about the short-term presence of a person, but also about the detection of a package. In combination with the change in parcel tracking, it is then possible to say very precisely whether and when a parcel has arrived and what it is. An interesting feature that should further increase reliability.
So far it has only been spotted in a teardown, so it could be a few more weeks or months before this feature is rolled out to all users.