Android is synonymous with diversity and nothing symbolises that more than launchers. Android launchers differ from phone to phone, depending on the smartphone manufacturer and the Android skinned OS. But the most memorable one is Google’s own Google Now Launcher. Enabling it, instantly places a search bar on all of your home screens, integrating Google’s search experience into your daily smartphone usage.
A search bar isn’t the only thing available in the Google Now Launcher. Users could swipe right from your main home screen to look at Google Now cards, which are tailored to give you the information you need, depending on your location, things you’ve searched and your calendar. Furthermore, installing the Google Now Launcher also let you utilise the “OK Google” voice command to direct your smartphone to complete certain actions such as calling someone or playing a song.
But with the release of the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL, the latest Google flagship smartphones, Google introduced a new launcher. The Pixel Launcher is currently only available to users of those two smartphones, but that may change; Google is killing the Google Now Launcher in March.
According to Android Police Google is sending out letters to OEM partners declaring that the Google Now Launcher will be retired in Q1 2017. Devices that have the launcher installed will be able to continue using it, but the app will no longer show up on the Play Store. If you’ve ever wanted to make the jump to the launcher, now may be a good time to do so.
When it comes to the workings of the two apps, not much separates the two in terms of code, so it is possible that Google may open the Pixel Launcher to the wider Android spectrum. It is also possible that by consolidating the Pixel Launcher to its latest flagship smartphones, it hopes to increase the appeal for the smartphones. The Google Now Launcher was originally only available on the Nexus smartphones before being made less exclusive and it is possible we may see a repeat of the in regards to the Pixel Launcher.
Source: Android Police
