All articles tagged with #pixel launcher
Pixel’s At a Glance widget finally receives new updates, adding Sports and Finance updates for Pixel Launcher users. The Sports updates may impact battery life, while Finance updates don’t list such a caveat. The feature is exclusive to Pixel devices using the Pixel Launcher and Android System Intelligence version B.21, and it isn’t available in the Google app widget.
Android 17 Beta 1 brings two small Pixel Launcher UI tweaks: a slimmer, customizable home screen search bar with swap-able shortcuts (e.g., Gemini Live, Translate, Song Search, Weather, Dictionary) and the ability to remove the At a Glance widget from the Pixel home screen. It also includes minor tweaks like a refreshed brightness icon in Quick Settings and clearer access to the volume panel.
Google’s Android 17 Beta (Beta 1) is live for Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 series, officially confirming the CinnamonBun codename. The update introduces a more customizable Pixel Launcher search bar and pairs with Google’s release notes detailing UI/Windowing improvements for large screens, system optimizations, media/camera updates, privacy and security changes, and connectivity tweaks. Users can enroll via the Android Beta Program, with the caveat that beta software may contain bugs but can be exited and cleaned if needed.
Pixel Launcher now allows users to quickly open apps by searching and pressing enter, a feature that has been gradually rolled out since September 2025 and is now widely available after a reboot, enhancing one-handed usability and streamlining app access.
Google has intentionally replaced the Pixel Launcher search bar with a fullscreen Google app experience as part of the November 2025 Feature Drop, providing quicker access to AI Mode and suggested apps, but at the cost of losing some traditional search functionalities and shortcuts, which some users may find as a regression.
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 introduces the return of colorful weather icons for better visibility and updates to the Pixel Launcher search bar, which now features dynamically themed icons to match the homescreen, ahead of the stable launch in September.
Google is developing a feature to disable the AI Mode shortcut in the Pixel Launcher's search bar, which is currently integrated and not optional, with a new 'Customize Pixel Search Box' setting appearing in the latest app updates, indicating future customization options.
Google is developing a new option for Pixel users to remove the AI Mode shortcut from the search widget, addressing user complaints about its intrusiveness, with a toggle expected to be available in future updates.
Google is testing a minimalist, colorless redesign of weather icons in the At a Glance widget for Android 16 QPR1 beta users, which has divided user opinions; the update has not yet been released to the stable version.
Google is testing a new segmented design for the Pixel Launcher's search bar in the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta, featuring a smaller search bar with a round AI Mode button to the right, aligning with the recent home screen widget update. The redesign is currently rolling out to some users and may undergo further changes before the stable release.
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 introduces a redesigned Pixel Launcher search bar that accommodates an AI Mode icon, with a more compact and visually appealing layout, although AI Mode is not yet widely available. The update also features a transparent notifications view and other UI improvements.
Google is set to introduce new features and improvements to the Pixel Launcher in the upcoming Android 15 update, including a faster swipe-to-home animation, enhanced widget recommendations with categorized options, a convenient "+ Add" button in the widget selector, and a more accessible menu for app shortcuts in the recents screen. These changes aim to enhance the app launching experience on Pixel devices, although it's uncertain if they will be available on other Android devices.
In response to the Digital Markets Act, Google is updating the Pixel Launcher on Pixel phones to allow users to switch their default search engine, displaying the chosen engine's logo on the home screen. This change is currently limited to users in the EU, with options like DuckDuckGo and Ecosia available, but some users have reported a wider range of choices. The update aims to comply with the legislation and provide a more seamless search experience for Pixel users.
Google is updating the Pixel Launcher in the EU to allow users to switch their search provider from Google Search to other options such as DuckDuckGo and Ecosia. This change is in compliance with the Digital Markets Act and follows other adjustments in Android and Google products to adhere to the new regulations in the EU.
Google has re-mapped the microphone icon in the Pixel Launcher's search bar, removing its function as a Google Assistant shortcut and instead making it trigger Google Search results. This change was announced alongside the removal of 17 features in Google Assistant, with Google stating that the microphone icon's most popular use case is to get Google Search results. While users can still access Google Assistant through other methods, such as voice commands or button presses, the change may cause frustration for those accustomed to using the shortcut.