Android Users Can Soon Make Custom Widgets Using Natural Language

Google is bringing generative AI directly into Android customization with a new feature called “Create My Widget,” which allows users to generate personalized home screen widgets using conversational prompts instead of manual setup tools.

The feature, announced Tuesday, will first arrive this summer on newer Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices. It uses Gemini to create custom widgets based on plain-language requests, turning simple prompts into interactive Android dashboards.

Rather than selecting from prebuilt layouts or configuring widgets manually, users can describe the information they want surfaced on their home screen. A user planning meals could generate a widget that refreshes weekly recipe suggestions, while someone focused on cycling conditions might create a stripped-down weather panel focused only on rainfall and wind data.

Google said Gemini can also combine information from the web alongside personal data pulled from services such as Gmail and Calendar. In one example shared by the company, the AI could organize travel information for a family reunion by combining hotel reservations, flights, restaurant bookings, and countdown reminders into a single widget displayed on the home screen.

The rollout is part of Google’s broader effort to make Gemini a central layer of the Android experience instead of a standalone chatbot. The company announced the feature alongside additional Gemini Intelligence tools, including AI-powered voice dictation for Gboard and enhanced autofill capabilities.

“This is like you asking your personal assistant a question, and having them just bring you the answer on repeat,” said Ben Greenwood, Director of Product Management for Android Core Experiences, during a press briefing.

Greenwood said the system combines Gemini’s broader understanding of world events and online information with access to personal app data, creating more tailored experiences tied to a user’s daily routines and interests.

The launch also reflects a wider industry push to simplify software customization through AI-generated interfaces. Instead of requiring users to navigate settings menus, install separate apps, or configure widgets manually, companies are increasingly using conversational AI to automate those tasks through natural-language input.

This analysis is based on reporting from TechCrunch.

Image courtesy of Google.

This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and quality.