AndroidFeaturesGood and EVO

Update: Google Play device orders are finally showing up in Google Now

Google Now shipping notificationBack in May when I ordered the Chromebook Pixel, I was put off by a seemingly huge oversight on the part of Google: although shipping notifications in Google Now were a major feature that the search giant touted almost from the very beginning, they did not seem to be working with device orders from the Play Store – even though I had technically received two emails from Google: one confirming the order and one with the tracking info.

That’s two chances for Google Now to be alerted that a package should be coming, along with one chance to pick up that tracking number in the shipping confirmation. Unfortunately, a Google Now card never appeared for the device order, in spite of Gmail on the desktop recognizing the order number and providing a tracking link on the right-hand side of my screen.

To make matters worse, I ordered something on Amazon at the same time, and the Google Now card appeared for that item just as it should have.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize the irony there: Google Now shipping notifications worked with one of Google’s biggest competitor’s – Amazon – but not with Google’s own online storefront.

Now, I’m pleased to report that, shortly after I received my shipping notification for my new Google Nexus 5 by LG, a Google Now card appeared on my phone, with links to track the package on the UPS website or view the original shipping email. I’ve read reports from only a few weeks ago that this functionality was not yet working, so it looks to be a relatively recent fix – and it couldn’t have come quickly enough.

Thank you, Google, for finally getting at least part of your sh*t together.

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John F

John was the editor-in-chief at Pocketables. His articles generally focus on all things Google, including Chrome and Android, although his love of new gadgets and technology doesn't stop there. His current arsenal includes the Nexus 6 by Motorola, the 2013 Nexus 7 by ASUS, the Nexus 9 by HTC, the LG G Watch, and the Chromebook Pixel, among others.

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