Tech Desk 
Jul 30, 2024
Google, a go-to app for users, ranging from Google Searches to Google Lens and Google’s smart assistants, has been working on many new updates lately to enhance its user experience.
Currently, the search giant is set to introduce the ‘Universal Search’ feature, which will allow contacts, apps, and device settings to appear within search results, similar to Apple's Spotlight Search.
This feature was reported following an APK teardown of the Google for Android beta app version 15.30.27.29, suggesting that if users simply type their query into the app’s search bar, they will be able to get the required results not only from the web but also from their personal phone contacts, installed apps, and even the device’s system settings.
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Moreover, the feature will work independently of the universal search functionality on the Pixel Launcher, meaning it will be available to all users whether they have a Pixel device or not.
The report also predicted that the feature may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is also possible that it may not make it to a public release.
The ability to search for apps within the Google app is not completely new, but the addition of contacts and device settings expands its already present capabilities.
Furthermore, the feature will also enable users to decide whether they want contacts, apps, and device settings to appear in their search results.
Currently, the universal search feature is hidden behind developer flags as it is still in the testing phase. However, Google might roll it out to the public in the near future.
