Google Clock 7.3 rolls out with alarm pausing and more obvious multi-timer UI

Abner Li | Oct 14 2022 - 1:43 pm PT

After debuting on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the latest version (7.3) of Google Clock is widely rolling out with a pair of appreciable usability tweaks.

In the first tab, you’ll notice that expanding alarm reveals a “Pause alarm” button that lets you “select the dates to pause your alarm.” You can either select start and end dates by tapping on the month view or entering via numpad.

This is much better (and safer) than toggling an alarm off and potentially forgetting to re-enable once you’re back on schedule.

Top comment by JG

Liked by 9 people

I'd like to see Google bake in some of its AI skills into the clock app so it might be able to intelligently adjust the time the alarm goes off. For example, if Maps says there is a significant delay in my commute, I'd like the alarm to adjust itself accordingly so I can have the extra travel time available. Or, given those of us in the northern hemisphere will soon have to start dealing with snow again... If the weather team reports significant over night snow accumulation, I may want the alarm to adjust so I get up earlier to have time to shovel out the driveway. Maybe also automatically delaying the alarm for 2 hours if school goes on a delay, or turning itself off for that day if school is canceled.

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Meanwhile, the Timer tab does a better job of handling multiple active countdowns. Instead of only being able to see one at a time (and needing to scroll), each timer is a compact card with the Clock app fitting multiples on the same screen. The original increment is noted at the top with a tap letting you rename. A delete button is to the right of that, while you can quickly reset from within the circular countdown indicator.

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The button for adding another minute is much more prominent with Google doing a good job of making things more obvious. The previous interface could be described as nice to look at and minimalistic, but it’s too clever by half for a tool that should be very straightforward given the heavy usage. Hidden UIs are unnecessary here, while it looks great on a tablet.

Google has also changed the screen that appears when a timer goes off to be brighter with a background color and tweaked buttons that are smaller.

Version 7.3 of Google Clock is widely rolling out to Pixel phones and other devices via the Play Store. Meanwhile, Google is also rolling out an update to Calculator (8.3) that doesn’t appear to have any significant changes.