Google Pushes Out Google Now Launcher for Nexus, Play Edition Models

By Prarthito

| Published: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 17:22 [IST]

While the last Nexus model to be released, dubbed Nexus 5, is easily one of the most fantastic smartphones you will ever comes across, it seems like the company is currently showering other devices in the Nexus series with more updated features to make the overall experience even more worth your time.

According to reports, Google has taken the next big step towards making a few selected devices even more appealing to the masses in the image of the Nexus 5 by bringing in the Now Launcher app to devices belonging to the Nexus series and other Google Play edition devices.

Google Pushes Out Google Now Launcher for Nexus, Play Edition Models

Apart from a host of features that the app now brings for these devices, the Now Launcher also brings the Nexus 5′s modified home screen layout and improved functionality to older Nexus devices, alongside other Google Play Edition phones.

The app now places Google Now on the home screen, and will allow users to just swipe over to Now instead of having to launch it with a shortcut. Apart from that, for even more faster access, users can now say "Ok Google" irrespective of which home screen he or she is on to launch Google Now's voice command functions.

Alongside, the app also brings faster search by tapping on the search box and entering the concerned query immediately. There's also easy access to favorite and popular Google products and services, like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps. The status and navigation bars are now translucent, so that the device's wallpaper pops from every pixel, and is even visible when the user expands the apps drawer.

Google's Now Launcher app is currently available for free in the Play Store, and is compatible with all Nexus and Google Play Edition devices running Android 4.4 KitKat or later.