The Google Android app continues to evolve, particularly in how it presents user search history and saved items. Previously known as “Saved,” this feature was rebranded to “Activity” earlier this year, reflecting Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience through intuitive design.
Exploring New Labels
Recent observations indicate that Google is not finished with its rebranding journey. Users on the beta version 16.30.59.ve.arm64 of the app have reported seeing the historical view labeled as “Journeys.” Additionally, some stable builds have identified this section as “Library.” This experimentation with naming conventions suggests that Google is considering a variety of options to better resonate with users.
At the bottom of the Google app, users will find navigation buttons that include Home, Search, Notifications, and a fourth button that leads to their historical view. This area allows users to revisit their search history and access previously saved content. The transition from “Saved” to “Activity” marked a significant change, but the recent testing of names like “Journeys” and “Library” indicates that Google is exploring even more possibilities.
According to an APK teardown, which analyzes the app’s code for potential future features, the company appears to be weighing several alternative labels for this section. Some of the names discovered within the app include:
- Activity
- Hub
- Journeys
- Library
- Recents
- You
- Your Space
This active experimentation has led to users encountering different labels even when logged into the same Google account across multiple devices. While most of these names are fairly descriptive of the content they represent, some, like “Hub” or “You,” may come across as somewhat vague.
Interestingly, alongside the shifting nomenclature, there are indications that Google may introduce new functionalities to this historical view. A recent code snippet hints at the potential addition of a section dedicated to “Recent Song Searches.” Currently, song search history exists separately from web history, but this new feature could integrate those experiences within the app.
As Google continues to refine its app, the community eagerly anticipates how these changes will enhance user interaction and whether a final decision on the naming conventions will soon be reached. The journey of exploration and adaptation remains a hallmark of Google’s approach to user experience design.
