Posted on 10/04/2016 12:28:25 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Long before Google announced the Pixel phones, and even before we knew they would be called "Pixel," we heard about the Nexus Launcher. That mysterious new home screen from Google eventually became the Pixel Launcher, and now it's official as part of the Pixel and Pixel XL. However, Google has confirmed that the Pixel Launcher will be exclusive to its namesake phone, at least for a while.
The Pixel Launcher includes a new Google search "pill" widget and a display for the date/weather. The app drawer has been revamped as well. You swipe up to open it from the favorite tray at the bottom. It also implements the new round app icons and home screen shortcuts.
The Google Now Launcher also started off as an exclusive on a small number of devices, but that was all built-into the Google app from the start. It was a foregone conclusion that it would come to more devices. It's not clear how the final version of the Pixel Launcher will work, or if Google will bring it to more devices. We were told that expanding the new launcher to non-Pixel phones is being evaluated. That doesn't necessarily sound encouraging. Sideloading will probably still be feasible, though.
Wow another user interface tweak. It displays the date and time but omg now the weather! Swipe left instead of right is a huge improvement.... Or is it right instead of left.... Either way it’s better. Round pills instead of square tiles. I’m so confused. Can’t wait to chuck this iPhone and buy a Google phone. That way they can keep a record of all my communication as well as my location constantly and my searches and results and all my purchases. And a new listening app like Siri or Cortana. I guess be careful what you talk about because NSA. Pretty soon it will be smart enough to order what you want before you even know.
Google Now was pretty nice when it cam out and I use it daily. This might be better. I appreciate improvement.
Tried Android a few years back and hated it. With a $649 trade-in for iPhone 6 (now expired), we upgraded a year or two sooner than planned for the cost of sales tax a bit extra for the bigger plus and more memory.
Google Home looks very interesting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.