As early as last summer, Google has been working on the implementation of a “novelty” called for Google contacts Which will be exclusive of the smartphones of the Pixel range: the quotation marked is a must, especially considering that it could be a sort of redesign of something that already exists.
Specifically we talk about VIPwidgets that will replace the current Favorite contacts on devices Made by Google. A few hours ago a video showed on the net showing the functioning of this widget, destined to be released with one of the next Pixel Drop.
On the pixels, the “Favorite contacts” widget will become “VIP”
Google has been working on a “new” widget for the Google Contact App which will be exclusive for smartphones of the Pixel range for some time: we heard about it for the first time last July, then again in August; On both those occasions the widget was called Beasts and manifested itself as a redesign of the already existing widget Favorite contacts.
A few months later, specifically in February 2025, new developments emerged on this widget which, in the meantime, has been renamed in VIP (acronym for Very important people): It will evolve the widget Favorite contactssimplifying the interaction with the most expensive people and including data from third -party apps (such as WhatsApp).
This widget should be distributed to Pixel users with one of the next Pixel Drop And, considering that for the beta testers there is still no trace, it is very likely that we will have to wait at least Android 16 QPR1 (therefore September 2025) so that it arrives on the stable channel.
In any case, the colleagues of Android Authority have had access to the introductory video to this novelty that will be shown within Pixel tipsthe app that on the devices Made by Google It shows the latest functions introduced by the Mountain View giant.
Let’s find out how the pixel “VIP” widget will work
Let’s start by saying that the presence of the four legs in the video shown at the end of the chapter suggests that we are dealing with a “dogfood” Build, that is, a build used by the development team for internal test purposes, therefore nothing still available for common mortals.
Going further, the video explains what the widget is VIP And how it works. Meanwhile, it is presented in this way: “Elevate your family members and friends dear from favorites to VIP”; This is an indicator that this widget will replace the old widget Favorite contacts.
To create the widget, we will have to open the Google contact app, access the card Organize and make a tap on the item “Pixel Vip” which will be placed immediately under the item “Family group”.
From here we will be able to select a maximum of 8 contacts (among those suggested or others from the address book) that will be inserted within the widget itself which has one size 4 × 1 (but it is conceivable that, with 8 contacts, it can be extended at least to 4 × 2).
Once we have chosen the contacts, the app will ask us to grant them some permits (access to SMS, access to WhatsApp history and access to the activities related to the position) before being able to actually add the widget.
At this point, once we have added the VIP widget to Home screen of the pixel, we can make a tap on one of the contacts: at this point, as a “sheet” appearance from below, the Google profile of specific contact contacts; In addition to showing us the profile photo And Four quick connections (calls, message, WhatsApp and more), the page will show us any Contact information information (if imminent).
Continuing to flow, we will meet the section Latest connections Which shows the latest interactions (calls, sms or WhatsApp message) with contact. Still below, there will be Updates on the position of the contactsection that includes the location (if shared with us), the weather and the time for the place.
Going down again we will find the contact notessection that contains any notes added by the user (always linked to specific contact), and a section called SDA things do together Which shows some suggestions of places to visit or activities to be carried out in the company of contact.
We do not know if, perhaps in the future, Google intends to develop a further widget that proposes a sort of “feed” linked to those contacts marked as VIP, a space in which to enclose all this information (and perhaps even the birthdays and much more). For the moment, this however represents a big step forward compared to the widget Favorite contactsstatic enough for how it has been understood so far.
How to download or update the section app Made by Google
To download or update the app Google contacts For Android devices, just reach the app on the Google Play Store app (via the Badge below) and make a tap on “Install” or “Update”.
