Your Google Pixel’s Now Playing feature will soon get a dedicated app

Now Playing is a Google Pixel-exclusive feature that helps you identify songs playing in the background. It’s one of those features that has made Shazam obsolete, at least in my case. Now Playing functions as part of Android System Intelligence and isn’t a full-blown app. This has limited Google’s ability to upgrade it or add more functionality.

In July last year, we learned that Google may be changing that by potentially making Now Playing a standalone app. A fresh revelation by 9to5Google offers more credence to this notion. Strings and text found in version B.21 of Android System Intelligence indicate a major change is coming, specifically referencing the launch of an app.

Some of the text uncovered within Android System Intelligence leaves no ambiguity about the change. “Now Playing has a new home. Your settings, song history, and other features can be found in the dedicated app,” it reads.

The string below mentions redirecting users to the Play Store to download the…