I have gotten so many conflicting answers on this one, but NOT really liking the fact that there will be a static Google search bar on every page.
Some reviewers (PhoneDog for example) say it can't be removed, while others say it can. Those who say it can be removed, also say that even when removed, that space is still unusable for widgets.
Can we get a true answer one way or the other from someone familiar with ICS??
I have gotten so many conflicting answers on this one, but NOT really liking the fact that there will be a static Google search bar on every page.
Some reviewers (PhoneDog for example) say it can't be removed, while others say it can. Those who say it can be removed, also say that even when removed, that space is still unusable for widgets.
Can we get a true answer one way or the other from someone familiar with ICS??
Well, that just plain sucks, in my opinion. I've never used the Google search bar and I've been on android phones since the g1 was released. I really hope this widget can be removed and the area used for other icons, I dislike widgets.
It's not really a widget. From what I have gathered after researching some more is that it CAN be turned off, but that the area is still unusable for anything else.
THIS is why I like OEM overlays.
So that means, for example, if you have a clock you want to display in that area, you won't be able to.
I have been running ICS for several days. It can not be removed at all no matter what, if anyone knows of a way to remove it please tell me. I have searched everywhere in settings, other places, and it's not possible to remove it. Other than that ICS is awesome, hardware acceleration is so amazing, I feel like I have a brand new phone.
Last edited by B2L; November 30th, 2011 at 09:42 AM.
I have been running ICS for several days. It can not be removed at all no matter what, if anyone knows of a way to remove it please tell me. I have searched everywhere in settings, other places, and it's not possible to remove it. Other than that ICS is awesome, hardware acceleration is so amazing, I feel like I have a brand new phone.
I talked to someone who said it can be removed in the settings, but even after removal you can't use that space for anything else. I don't know why they have to 'fix' things that aren't broken.
I talked to someone who said it can be removed in the settings, but even after removal you can't use that space for anything else. I don't know why they have to 'fix' things that aren't broken.
Can you please give me a source/link of where it says it can be removed? I have looked through every menu in settings, and even the secret developer options and there is no possible way to remove it. I have asked around on XDA, and everyone says it's not possible. (Even every article I have read on ICS all say it can't be removed.)
Also just thought I would mention, even though the search bar is at the top. You still have the normal 4x4 grid. So even if you were to remove it, it wouldn't allow enough space for even a 4x1 widget. (Since the search bar is so small. It's size is roughly .5x4
Last edited by B2L; November 30th, 2011 at 09:58 AM.
... Also just thought I would mention, even though the search bar is at the top. You still have the normal 4x4 grid. So even if you were to remove it, it wouldn't allow enough space for even a 4x1 widget. (Since the search bar is so small. It's size is roughly .5x4
So you still have the 4x4 icon grid with or without the Google search bar? Ok, I suppose I can live with that. It sounds like a small area of the screen has been set aside just for the search bar.
So you still have the 4x4 icon grid with or without the Google search bar? Ok, I suppose I can live with that. It sounds like a small area of the screen has been set aside just for the search bar.
Yes you still have the normal 4x4 grid with, or without the search bar. (That is if you can actually remove it.)
I've only been running it for a few minutes but yea, it certainly can't be removed in the conventional manner. I haven't dug through all the settings my self, but I'm sure B2L is right.
That still leaves a bit of unused space that just doesn't seem to look quite right.
Especially when you want your clock aligned to the top:
If you were to add a clock widget underneath that bar, I think you would take up most of the screen. Hopefully some 'hackers' can find a way of letting us remove the search bar and also let us make use of that space.
Last edited by Baldilocks; November 30th, 2011 at 10:27 AM.
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I have a clock widget under the search bar, I can show you how it looks if you'd like. Everything looks fine to me, and it doesn't look weird with the search bar on top.
Device(s): HTC Inspire CM7 or ICS AOKP, Nook color CM7 & CM9, LG Thrill stock, non-root. (wife's)
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I don't want the search bar either.
I've played with an ics rom and can't find anything to enable landscape mode in the launcher (I really like) so I'll probably just end up having to use go launcher anyway.
BiGMERF deserves a HUGE thanks, he managed to figure out how to disable the search bar. All you need to do is go to Settings>Apps>Google Search>Disable
I don't understand what the point of the search bar is when most Android phones have a hardware search button (the little magnifying glass) that opens up Google search anyway. It was the first widget I removed when I got my Nexus S. It's completely useless.
Last edited by UssjTrunks; December 1st, 2011 at 10:46 PM.
I don't understand what the point of the search bar is when most Android phones have a hardware search button (the little magnifying glass) that opens up Google search anyway. It was the first widget I removed when I got my Nexus S. It's completely useless.
Since Google seems to be trying to do away with the search and menu keys for all future phones (leaving Home, Back, and Apps) a search bar was their solution
I don't understand what the point of the search bar is when most Android phones have a hardware search button (the little magnifying glass) that opens up Google search anyway. It was the first widget I removed when I got my Nexus S. It's completely useless.
I think the push going forward is to get away from hardware buttons and move to software (ie with the Galaxy Nexus).
I really love hardware buttons and hope they don't move away from them completely. It's so much easier to perform certain functions with a hardware button.
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I really love hardware buttons and hope they don't move away from them completely. It's so much easier to perform certain functions with a hardware button.
^This. :-). And for TW haters, hope that Sense and Blur will as well.
Wait, doesnt a third party launcher solve this?
Yes, but until they make a third party launcher that has the all the usability of Touchwiz without draining the battery like a thirsty drunk, I'll pass.
I think the push going forward is to get away from hardware buttons and move to software (ie with the Galaxy Nexus).
Software or hardware, theyre trimming down the number of buttons down from 4 to 3, giving Menu and Search the axe, and so the static Search Bar was born into Googles ICS launcher, and pushing developers to code smarter to avoid the need for a Menu key
So, they are making it more like iOS? Having the menu hidden, in my opinion, leaves more screen real estate and gives a cleaner overall appearance. In systems like iOS, with only one hardware button, menu selections populate the screen and looks cluttered. Sounds like Android is heading in that direction....
Well, I've always found four keys to be one too many (or one too few, since Home can never be the center one) but glad its not just one button left and that back remains. They are definitely iSimplifying but I always hated to stretch my thumb to the top of iScreens to reach back buttons.
Software or hardware, theyre trimming down the number of buttons down from 4 to 3, giving Menu and Search the axe, and so the static Search Bar was born into Googles ICS launcher, and pushing developers to code smarter to avoid the need for a Menu key
That's idiotic. we don't gain anything by getting rid of menu and search but we lose the convenience these buttons provided. This reminds me of Youtube getting rid of the "favorite" button after Google bought them. You could no longer just hit the "favorite" button under a video and be done with it, you now had to select "favorite" from a menu. Likewise, you could no longer even access your collection of favorited videos by clicking a single link. You now had to go through 3 different pages to get there. It appears the same geniuses who were in charge of making those changs are now butchering Android too.
Don't f***ing fix something if it isn't broken!!
Last edited by UssjTrunks; December 4th, 2011 at 07:26 PM.
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ICS and the Google Search Bar
button.
