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The Google Now launcher for Android may be discontinued soon
One of the most annoying things about Android has long been the custom skins that manufacturers would slap on top of the operating system. Things have gotten better in recent years, but plenty of users would be happier using Android as Google intended. Fortunately, Google has offered a home screen launcher based on the software it put in the Nexus series of phones for a while now. But now that the company has moved on to the Pixel smartphone line, complete with its own redesigned launcher, the old "Google Now" launcher is being put out to pasture.
Google Now launcher forces Android apps to literally fit in
Anyone wringing their hands over the fact that their Android apps just don't line up flush will be delighted with an update to Google Now's launcher -- the de facto home screen for Nexus-branded Android phones like the 6P. In response to the fact that some Android app makers aren't following Google's guidelines, those rogues, the company has taken it into its own hands, forcing consistent icon size inside the launcher. The main difference: oversized logos chill out a bit, shrinking to fit Google's in-house apps and third-party app icons that followed the rules.
Google's Android launcher lets you pretend you're using Lollipop
So you're still waiting for your Android phone's upgrade to Lollipop, and you don't want to look behind the times when your Nexus-toting friends show up. What to do? As of today, you only need to make sure you're using both the Google Now Launcher and a new version of Google's search app. The update gives you some of Lollipop's Material Design look in the Google search bar, app tray and some animations; previously, the launcher mimicked whatever version of Android you were running. This is largely a cosmetic tweak and won't really make you forget about all the Android 5.0 features you're missing, but it could tide you over for a short while.
Google Now Launcher available for most Android phones
The trusty Google Now launcher that debuted on the Nexus 5 had already made its way to the rest of that family and Play Edition devices. Now, folks wielding any handset running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and later can grab the feature, even if it's absent one of the aforementioned monikers. The software add-on makes Google's card-based repository accessible by swiping to the right of the home screen or speaking an "OK Google" voice command from that main UI. Gadgets that weren't officially stamped by Google hadn't been privy to the functionality, but now even if OEMs drape the OS with their own look and features (looking at you, Samsung), you can still get a taste of stock Android.
ZTE continues the trend toward minimizing Android customization
For all its beauty, Android's openness is the reason why manufacturers and carriers are able to make their own tweaks to the OS. Some companies go as far as completely forking the platform, and we know how terrible that can be -- though there are exceptions like Amazon's Fire ecosystem, which offers a solid experience overall. Thankfully, manufacturers are beginning to realize it's much better to deliver Android as Google intended, or at least as close to it as possible (e.g. HTC's Sense 6). Chinese outfit ZTE will join this movement very soon, announcing that the Google Now launcher will be set as the default home screen on its future smartphones, starting with the launch of the Blade Vec 4G next week. Naturally, doing so means giving buyers a cleaner look right out of the box; plus, it puts all of the search giant's services front and center, including the Play store and, of course, Google Now. Most importantly, it's definitely going to make Google happy.
Google finally releases Now Launcher to the Play store, for Nexus and Play Edition devices
Most of us assumed it was only a matter of time before Google released the Now launcher that debuted on the Nexus 5 to the Play store. Now that day has come... provided you're the owner of a Nexus or Play Edition handset that runs KitKat. The new homescreen is the one you've already come to know and love on the newest Nexus phone, complete with the ability to say "Ok Google" from any home screen to automatically launch Now's voice command functions. Breaking the launcher out from the core Android code also means it'll be easier for Google to update and add features to it going forward, without having to release an entirely new version of the OS. Now the next step will be getting the launcher on more phones, even if it still requires you to have KitKat. Though, as the internet giant successfully breaks its own apps and services away from the Android core, the Nexus program becomes less and less important.
Android search update lets you pick video, on-demand providers in Google Now
Little software updates sometimes make a big difference. Google has rolled out an update to Android's search app that's currently listed as a simple bug fix, yet introduces a deluge of new features for Google Now. You can now choose specific TV and video on demand providers for viewing recommendations, and you'll see Airbnb reservations. There also won't be many excuses for being late after this upgrade -- Android Police readers note that the app introduces both simpler alarm controls as well as helpful tools for getting to an appointment on time. Google has even seen fit to officially rename the Nexus 5's home screen interface, calling it the Google Now Launcher. The new search hasn't been pushed to everyone just yet, but we'd expect it to reach many Android users in the near future. Update: It looks like the update is going out widely today. A Google Search post on Google+ focuses on the tweaks for arranging appointments -- cards note when you need to leave, and they can adjust for where you're leaving from and what type of transportation will be used -- while the Google Play changelog fills in the rest of the details.
