The Pixel Weather app is introducing a pollen count card and immersive weather vibrations in a new update. Google announced these features with the October 2024 Pixel Drop.
Pollen counts, presently allow users to monitor tree, grass, and weed pollen levels with a 3-5 day forecast. Immersive weather vibrations offer haptic feedback that syncs with animated weather conditions.
While these updates are rolling out server-side, users can expect further availability soon.
New features in the Pixel Weather app
The Pixel Weather app’s pollen count card can be found at the bottom of the weather feed. Users can tap on it to see pollen levels, which categorize counts for tree, grass, and weed pollen, along with a forecast that provides insights for the next few days.
Descriptions of pollen types prevalent on specific days accompany the data, enhancing users’ understanding of local conditions. Although the feature is limited to select markets, users globally can access the readings.
Developed for the Pixel 8 and newer, the immersive weather vibrations feature provides haptic feedback that corresponds to weather animations. These vibrations adapt in intensity based on precipitation density, creating a more engaging user experience. The haptic feedback is automatically enabled for these devices but can be toggled off in the settings menu.
Google has designed these new features with user safety in mind. Immersive vibrations will automatically turn off during severe weather conditions or when Battery Saver mode is activated.
Availability and updates for users
Currently, the pollen count feature is rolling out in the following countries:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- United Kingdom
Google has indicated plans to broaden access, but no specific timeline has been provided. The app’s ability to let users view pollen metrics from different countries offers a glimpse into enhanced global usability, although the core feature remains location-restricted for now.
The Weather app has become widely downloadable via Google Play for devices starting from Pixel 6 and up. These updates, including the pollen count and immersive weather vibrations, are part of a server-side roll-out, indicating that users may see the changes appear gradually rather than all at once.
As the rollout continues, users in eligible regions are encouraged to explore these new features in the Pixel Weather app, ensuring they can take advantage of the latest advancements from Google.
The combination of actionable health data through pollen counts and an engaging user experience via immersive vibrations is expected to establish a new standard for weather applications on mobile devices.
Featured image credit: Jessica Lewis thepaintedsquare/Unsplash
