Google app 9.72 beta breaks weather app, adds newest/oldest sorting in Podcasts, new Lens icon [APK Insight]

While last week’s beta revealed a number of exciting in-progress features, Google app 9.72 is a quieter release that actually obscures some features, like Reminders and Intelligent Tips for At A Glance. There are also some additions and bugs with this update.

About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Google Lens revamp in development with ‘filters’ for Dining, Shopping, & Translate

New Google Lens icon

Speaking of Lens, Google app 9.72 refreshes the icon to feature more rounded corners and a new color scheme that better proportions the four Google colors. It is visible in the Assistant control pill and in the Recents menu.

At A Glance

The new Reminders and Assistant-powered Intelligent Tips for At A Glance are not yet live despite last week’s update adding them to settings. Google app 9.72 hides the two new additions for the homescreen widget.

Weather bug

Google Search this week rolled out a new whimsical weather card for Android. Version 9.72 has a bug where that new Search result is the only available way to see the forecast. The dedicated “app” that users could previously access from the homescreen icon, by expanding the inline Search card, or from At A Glance does not launch.

The latter action will just perform a search, with Google possibly planning a similar Material Theme overhaul for this older app. As a result of this bug, users cannot access hourly, humidity, or wind forecasts. This also disables tabs for “Tomorrow” and “10 Days,” with Assistant providing a basic replacement.

The inline 12 hour graph does still work and can be swiped. Google will likely resolve this issue before 9.72 enters the stable channel next week. Fortunately, the weather is still updating on the Pixel lockscreen and At A Glance widget.

Google Podcasts: Sort & sleep timer

Podcast listings in Google Search now let users organize episodes by “Newest” or “Oldest first.” This order is applied on a show-by-show basis, with the new feature rolling out via server-side update rather than Google app 9.72 specifically. The new filter icon is accessible to the right of “Available episodes.”

As we noted with version 9.58, Google Podcasts is working on a sleep timer. It will be accessible from the audio player, with users able to choose increments that start at 5 minutes and span to “End of episode.” Once set, user scan tap “Start” to initiate. It is not yet live, but we have successfully enabled it with this version.

Google Assistant: Friends & family

Google Assistant already has a “Your people” feature in settings. With version 9.72, we enabled a revamp where users can add a person without having to enter it through the Assistant UI.

“Your Assistant helps you share and connect with the people in your life.”

<string name=”assistant_settings_your_people_save_button_label”>Save</string>

Top Apps: Now with video

How to update?

You can sign-up for the Google app’s beta program here or by heading to the Play Store listing on Android and scrolling to the bottom. The latest beta version of the Google app is immediately rolled out when it’s available.

We do not post APKs to download directly given the legal challenges associated with copyright and possibility of removal. Meanwhile, that model is perilous given Android App Bundles and Google Play’s Dynamic Delivery.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, which some APK Insight teardowns benefit from.

Dylan contributed to this article