What’s Next for Users as Google Now Launcher Shuts Down?
A decade after its launch, the Google Now Launcher comes to an end. Google debuted the Nexus 5 in 2013 along with a brand-new launcher called the Google Now Launcher.
Prior to being made available to all Android 4.1+ devices through the Play Store in 2014, it was first known as the Google Experience Launcher.
The main advantage was easy to access to Google Now cards, which was combined with a simple, stock-like experience that mirrored Google’s design preferences.
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In 2017, the tech juggernaut revealed that this would no longer have access to Google Now because OEM partners already had it.
The Nexus 5X and 6P were the final mobile devices that Google launched that featured this and included the Now on Tap feature. Almost conclusively ending the Google Now experiment, Google released its final security upgrade for that hardware in 2018.
Despite receiving numerous upgrades via the Google app, the business is now concentrating on Google Assistant. It is currently displaying a message stating that Google will formally shut down the service by end of April, according to an earlier report by 9to5Google. The gadget’s launcher will then switch to the default launcher.
When most Android skins were still lacking in many areas, the Google Now Launcher was praised by Android phone users because it typically provided a smoother and more intuitive experience along with a cleaner UI.
In other words, it’s a little bit depressing news in a strangely nostalgic manner, but it’s also a loss that won’t be felt by many. The very small number of people who continue to use Google Now Launcher can only do so if they decide never to update their Google app again. However, if users continue to use the launcher, they are likely not getting updates at all.
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Despite this, it was unique at the time due to its dedicated home page for displaying Google Now info cards. Later, this idea developed into the Google Discover interface found on many modern Android smartphones. Along with these features, the launcher provided fast access to search features and app recommendations.
The old launcher isn’t really relevant anymore, though, because of the launch of the Pixel Launcher, the popularity of Google Assistant in place of Google Now, and a plethora of other launcher choices. But even so, Google Now Launcher had a successful tenure.
I am a law graduate from NLU Lucknow. I have a flair for creative writing and hence in my free time work as a freelance content writer.