Not too long ago, we learned that Google’s launcher was actually named the Google Now Launcher. And we thought it’d be available for everyone pretty soon. Well we are one step closer to that. Today, the Google Now Launcher has expanded to being available for all Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. That includes the Nexus 4, 5, 7 2012, 7 2013, and the Nexus 10. On the Google Play Edition side, that’s the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, LG G Pad 8.3, Moto G, and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. So basically every phone or tablet available on the Play Store.
As expected, the app is just like the launcher that was on the Nexus 5 at launch. It’s basically stock Android launcher with Google Now on the screen to the left. Which I actually like, although you can disable it pretty easily. Or just install Nova or another launcher like usual. With swiping over to the left to Google Now you can use Google Now a lot more and keep track of more things. Which is exactly what Google wants you to do, hence putting Google Now on the very first screen.
We’re still holding out hope to see it available for more devices, including those that are skinned like the Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, LG G2, HTC One, Sony Xperia Z2 and many others. Hopefully we’ll see that come out pretty soon. I’d also like to see some customization options, similar to what we’ve got with Nova, Apex, Action Launcher and many other launchers out there. It’d be really nice to have. As that’s the main reason why I use Nova on my smartphones these days. Right now we have no eta as too when it’ll be available for everyone, but the Google Now Launcher was updated today, and you can download it here.
How many of you are still using the Google Now Launcher?