Skip to main content

Google’s Pixel Weather app just got two new features. Here’s how they work

The Pixel Weather app on a Google Pixel 9.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

The Pixel Weather app has been the focus of a lot of attention lately as Google revamps the user experience and adds more features. Now, there’s more good news: two of those promised functions — the Pollen count card and immersive vibrations — are newly available, at least for some users.

Thanks to “immersive weather vibrations,” the Pixel Weather app vibrates to match the animated backgrounds it displays, with intensity levels that mirror the precipitation amount (because it’s not just rainfall), according to 9to5Google. Of course, if you don’t like the feature, you can disable it in the account menu.

Recommended Videos

The other feature is the pollen count block. It pops up at the bottom of the feed and shows how much violent sneezing you can expect over the next three to five days based on grass, tree, and weed pollen levels. Right now, the pollen feature only works in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K., but Google says it can be viewed from any country and that availability will expand at a later date.

Pixel Weather app on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Immersive vibrations and the pollen feature have been rolling out to users over the past few days. If you don’t yet see the options on your phone, give it some time. The pollen tool likely won’t come to the U.S. for some time, given that it’s only currently in the EU, but also because we’re rolling right into winter. It’s far more likely that Google will implement it on this side of the pond when it’s a little closer to spring.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Keep an eye out for any available Pixel updates. When the pollen feature releases in the U.S., we’ll let you know.

Patrick Hearn
Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a…
The Pixel 9a just leaked again as part of a Galaxy S25 edge leak
Google Pixel 9a Peony pink leaked image.

Leakception? The Pixel 9a just leaked in a video uploaded to YouTube, except it wasn't the focus of the video. The video focused on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge; the Pixel 9a just happened to be caught in the frame for a few seconds. Originally uploaded by YouTuber Alexis Garza (better known as @technologiaconalexis), the video has since been removed — but as with all things on the Internet, it's never really gone.

Eagle-eyed fans took screenshots of the YouTube short before it was removed. The lighting isn't the best, and the resolution leaves something to be desired, but it's still a clear photo of the upcoming handset. The cutout for the flash looks larger than expected, and the camera itself looks small compared to it.

Read more
Tired of downloading terrible apps? This Google Play Store update will help
A person holding an Android phone while on a bike. The display shows the Google Play Store.

The Google Play Store has an estimated 3.3 million apps available, but they most certainly are not all created equal. Some are no longer updated, some don't work the way they're meant to, and others are just plain terrible — but a new update to the Play Store could make finding the diamonds in the rough much easier.

This update is already live for some users, but it's still rolling out to others. When browsing the Play Store, warnings will appear just below the app information and provide a high-level overview of its performance. For example, it might warn that an app is frequently uninstalled, or the app might not get as much engagement compared to others, according to Android Authority.

Read more
We just got our first look at the official Pixel 9a colors
Someone holding the Hazel Google Pixel 9 Pro.

Despite launching in a bit more than a month, the Pixel 9a holds little mystery after a slew of different leaks. We already knew the potential colors were Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony, and Iris, but we hadn't actually gotten a good look at them until today. Android Authority shared images from a confidential source that show four cases for the Pixel 9a, presumably in the same colors the phone will arrive in.

The case colors line up with the suspected phone colors, although the specific marketing name for each isn't finalized. Still, it's not hard to guess — Peony is pink, Obsidian is black, Iris is purple, and Porcelain is white.

Read more