On April 1, 2023, Google announced the discontinuation of its Google Now Launcher after 10 years of service.
This news came as a surprise to many Android users who have been using the launcher since it was first introduced in 2013.
Google has stated that the decision was made to focus on other products and services and that they will no longer be updating or supporting the launcher.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Google Now Launcher, its history, and what the future holds for Android users.
What is Google Now Launcher?
Google Now Launcher is a home screen app for Android devices that allows users to access their apps, widgets, and settings. The launcher was first introduced in 2013 and was initially only available on Nexus devices.
It later became available to other Android devices in the Google Play Store. Google Now Launcher was known for its simple and clean design, as well as its integration with Google Now, a voice-activated assistant that provided information and assistance to users.
History of Google Now Launcher
Google Now Launcher was first introduced in 2013 as part of Android 4.4 KitKat. The launcher was initially only available on Nexus devices, but it later became available on other Android devices in the Google Play Store.
Google Now Launcher was well-received by Android users, who appreciated its clean and simple design and its integration with Google Now.
Over the years, Google Now Launcher received several updates and improvements.
In 2016, Google added support for app shortcuts, allowing users to access specific app functions directly from the home screen.
In 2017, Google added support for Android 7.1 features such as app shortcuts, round app icons, and image keyboard support.
Why is Google Now Launcher shutting down?
Google has stated that the decision to discontinue Google Now Launcher was made to focus on other products and services.
The company has not provided any specific details about what those products and services are, but it is clear that Google is shifting its focus away from home screen apps and towards other areas such as voice assistants and artificial intelligence.
What does this mean for Android users?
For Android users who have been using Google Now Launcher, the discontinuation of the app means that they will no longer receive updates or support.
This could potentially lead to security issues and other problems down the road.
However, there are many other home screen apps available in the Google Play Store that users can switch to, such as Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, and Lawnchair Launcher.
These apps offer similar features to Google Now Launcher and are regularly updated and supported.
Conclusion
Google Now Launcher was a popular home screen app for Android devices that provided users with a simple and clean design and integration with Google Now.
However, after 10 years of service, Google has decided to discontinue the app to focus on other products and services.
While this may be disappointing for Android users who have been using Google Now Launcher, there are many other home screen apps available in the Google Play Store that offer similar features and are regularly updated and supported.