The launcher app that was built specifically for the first Pixel handsets is now freely available for download, but it does not offer support for other devices yet. However, that might change, since the Wallpapers picker for the Pixel lineup is already working with other smartphones.
The new Pixel handsets by Google will go on sale tomorrow, replacing the old Nexus family. The Pixel and Pixel XL come with a new Android launcher that already leaked online a few months ago. However, now everything is official, as Google has just made it available for download via the Google Play store.
According to the official Google Play page, Pixel Launcher places personalized information "just a swipe away" and has the following highlights:
Google Search access on the primary home screen
Swipe up to find apps from A to Z
Swipe right for personalized Google cards
App Suggestions
long press on apps that support shortcuts to jump into or to drag apps to the home screen
The current app version is 7.1.1-3359438, having 2.4 MB in size, and dated on October 19. However, some user comments claim there is no noticeable difference between this version and the one that leaked a few months ago. For now, it looks like there is no support for other handsets, but more smartphones will probably gain support for Pixel Launcher in the coming months.
Codrut Nistor - Senior Tech Writer - 6212 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2013
In my early school days, I hated writing and having to make up stories. A decade later, I started to enjoy it. Since then, I published a few offline articles and then I moved to the online space, where I contributed to major websites that are still present online as of 2021 such as Softpedia, Brothersoft, Download3000, but I also wrote for multiple blogs that have disappeared over the years. I've been riding with the Notebookcheck crew since 2013 and I am not planning to leave it anytime soon. In love with good mechanical keyboards, vinyl and tape sound, but also smartphones, streaming services, and digital art.