Google has made a major overhaul to its app launcher for the Pixel phones. With the upcoming Android version 13, a few innovations will land in the app. This finally includes a uniform search. If you have the app start menu open, the search bar there can also offer what the search bar on the home screen offers. These now include suggestions from the web. However, these are optional.
Pixel Launcher finally with a unified and extensive search function
The new search bar and search functions in Google Pixel Launcher:
Also new are shortcuts for searching in other apps or in the settings. It is also possible to store search queries on the start screen using drag & drop. We reported on this earlier in the Android 13 beta, including a video.
The live display is becoming more and more extensive
There are also innovations for the live display, but they are not necessarily dependent on Android 13. With the recent Pixel Feature Drop, there is more new information. This includes the reminder that the LED flashlight is on. And also access to a Nest Doorbell’s camera feed and soon air quality display – as known from Google Maps.
A little look into the future
I guess that’s all the Pixel Launcher will see in the coming months. It is actually only to be expected that the live display from Google will be constantly fed with further new information. There’s still a lot planned. For example “At a Store” for the automatic display of vouchers, lists, and bonus cards when you are in a store.