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