Search needs to be wonderful on Google’s Pixel telephones, however it’s not

For years, Nova Launcher was my most popular Android launcher. Initially, its prolonged checklist of customization choices attracted me, however its highly effective search capabilities actually gained me over. I might simply entry obscure components of an app immediately from its search bar, saving time scrolling via app lists and lowering dwelling display screen litter. There was not a must pin necessary apps for simple entry. Nonetheless, this modified once I obtained a Pixel 8 and encountered Pixel Launcher‘s restricted seek for the primary time. I used to be dissatisfied.

Nova Launcher isn’t developed by an enormous search firm whose identify is synonymous with search, but it excelled in search performance. Google, accountable for each Pixel {hardware} and software program, falls embarrassingly quick with Pixel Launcher.

A launcher’s search bar needs to be essentially the most highly effective device on an Android smartphone. It ought to take me precisely the place I wish to go, or at the very least shut. If I wish to entry a selected Slack channel, I ought to give you the chance to take action immediately. If there’s a setting I wish to change, like adjusting default apps, my launcher’s magnifying glass ought to information me there. Judging by Pixel search, plainly Google doesn’t fairly agree with me.

For these unfamiliar with Pixels, there are two methods to entry search via the launcher. You’ll be able to faucet the everlasting dwelling display screen search bar on the backside of the display screen or swipe as much as entry the app drawer’s search facility. The latter is barely extra customizable, however it’s not instantly accessible.

To provide Google some credit score, there are elements of the house search bar I like. I can faucet the G emblem to open my manicured Uncover feed. I additionally respect how the keyboard disappears with a downward scroll and reappears when the search bar is lively. This element exhibits Google’s understanding of good usability options. Nonetheless, these little particulars are overshadowed by bigger issues.

Let me clarify these in additional element, beginning with a easy search time period. Tapping the house display screen search bar and typing “settings” doesn’t present a listing of toggles however a wall of internet search recommendations. I’m not sure why Google thinks I’d wish to go to “settings iPhone” on my Pixel 8. Solely by scrolling down does the cellphone reveal choices to look immediately throughout the Settings, Play Retailer, Maps, and Contacts apps. These choices needs to be on the prime, or Google ought to permit me to reorder sections throughout the search web page.

To Google’s credit score, that is the case with the app drawer search. I can disable internet search outcomes right here, however this feature also needs to be out there on the house search bar. App drawer outcomes additionally often embrace fast settings choices, however why not all settings? You’ll be able to see how Nova’s outcomes examine within the subsequent part.

Much more puzzling is the dearth of deep integration with Google’s personal apps. Whereas looking Calendar from the app drawer search yields choices so as to add an occasion, I can’t seek for a particular occasion utilizing key phrases. I can’t seek for Preserve notes, Pixel Climate areas, Sheets paperwork in Drive, or Images albums from both search bar.

One would possibly argue that I don’t want to make use of the house search bar on my Pixel if it’s not helpful, however it’s onerous to disregard. Google makes it a everlasting fixture on the house display screen that may’t be moved or hidden. The corporate clearly desires me to make use of it, much more so than the app drawer search possibility.

I don’t imagine I’m being too harsh on Google, particularly once we examine the Pixel search outcomes with Nova Launcher’s outcomes operating on the identical cellphone.

Once I search “settings,” Nova instantly lists precise settings choices, initially organized alphabetically: About cellphone, Accessibility, Airplane mode, All apps, and Battery. That is out there proper off the bat; no extra add-ons are mandatory. I can refine outcomes by including extra particulars to my search. “Settings da” provides hyperlinks to Default apps, Information utilization, and Date and time.

Past settings on my cellphone, I also can soar immediately into shortcuts inside third-party apps. In Nova’s settings, I can improve my search scope via API integrations, permitting entry to Spotify library objects (seen beneath), Calendar occasions, Slack channels, and Twitch streams to call a number of.

With Nova, there’s no must open Calendar and scroll for a selected occasion I made months in the past; I can merely seek for it from the bar and entry it instantly. I can prolong these capabilities additional with Sesame Shortcuts, an non-obligatory add-on that enables much more integration with third-party apps and their shortcuts.

Pixel Launcher provides none of those deeper integration options, even with a few of Google’s personal merchandise. I do know the corporate as soon as supplied a extra intricate search system with an API on its units, however it halted these efforts. Whereas it has reintroduced some integrations to Pixel Launcher’s search, the expertise pales compared to Nova.

So what’s the repair? Switching over to Nova Launcher completely on my Pixel 8 is a workaround, however one which introduces its personal issues. Regardless of Google’s patches, third-party launchers nonetheless endure from animation points on Pixels, and Nova is keenly affected. Returning to the house display screen from any menu ends in flashes and stutters. Regardless of its sturdy search options, Nova is just not an possibility for now. Pixel Launcher performs so significantly better on its native {hardware}.

My solely hope is that Google improves Pixel Launcher’s search utility sooner or later. This focus would assist novice and energy customers discover content material on their units extra effectively and switch the launcher right into a gateway to Google’s providers. With Android 16 promising new options, together with refreshed animations and refined UI parts, I urge the corporate to contemplate constructing a extra complete launcher search expertise. Pixel customers deserve it.