Launchers, what would we Android users do without them?
Last Wednesday, Google launched its latest pieces of hardware which, obviously, included the much-anticipated successors to the first generation Pixel smartphones. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (what a name!) not only feature lots of tweaks and updates to the original Pixel design we saw last year but also have some tweaks on the software they run. The iconic Google search bar, a prominent feature on Android devices since the beginning of time, has been pushed to the bottom of the home screen, right next to the navigation buttons, in the Pixel launcher.
While some may take offence at that and prefer to stick with the search bar at the top of the home screen, I kind of dig it. I mean, I no longer have to stretch over a 6-inch display in order to reach a search bar and find what it is that I needed help with. Of course, I also want that on my phone. However, since it’s not like I will be getting the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, just like it’s possible to get a faux iPhone X, Galaxy S8 or LG G6 looks on my existing Android devices, it’s also possible to get that Pixel 2 look without, well, actually having to buy the Pixel 2. This is all thanks to Chris Lacy, the indefatigable developer behind some of my favourite Android apps of all time like the now dead (RIP) Link Bubble and the subject of this blog post, Action Launcher.
Version 29 of Action Launcher, one of the most popular third-party Android launchers on the Google Play boasting of over a million downloads, now includes the Pixel 2-style bottom-placed search bar. All that one needs to do is update via the Play Store and boom! They are in Pixel-2-land. There will be step by step instructions on how to go about and get the latest changes but if you needed a reminder, just go to Action Launcher’s settings, go to Quickbar go to Style and pick Search box (dock).
Grab Action Launcher on the Play Store. You may need to part ways with at least Kshs 300 if you are to enjoy the app’s full features. Trust me, it’s worth it.
