The Pixel C launcher is now mimicking the Pixel launcher with the Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2, making things more streamlined across Google’s lineup of Android-based Pixel devices. That said the launcher isn’t exactly the same in every single way as it’s still very apparent that it’s a tablet launcher. As for the changes, the app drawer has been shifted from a large card-style format to taking up the full screen of the tablet which for some may feel like it’s giving them more space to view the apps they have installed, and this would essentially mean less pages of apps as more would be able to fit on a single page than before.
In addition to the new full-screen app drawer it’s also possible to alter the shape of the icons so if you prefer the app icons to be round as opposed to square or if you prefer the squircle shape, then these are changes you should be able to implement after installing the second dev preview for Android 8.1, that is once the preview makes its way to your device should you not wish to flash the preview using either the Factory or OTA images. Round, square, and squircle icon shapes are not the only available shapes though as there are also options for using the system default or for using the teardrop shape so there are a handful of options for those who like to have things a little more personalized.
The last change, at least the last noticeable change, is the menu that will show up once you long press on any of the icons for the apps you have installed. This new menu should show you the app shortcuts that are available for that specific app as well as the an icon you can press that will launch a pop up for the different available widgets that the app offers, and an information icon that you can tap which will take you straight into the app info screen for that specific application. Google recently launched Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 for the Nexus and Pixel devices that are getting the software, though not through and OTA just yet as it has only published the Factory and OTA images for users to flash to their devices on their own.
