No Official Pixel Launcher - for now at least

GuitarG20 · Oct 5, 2016

http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/1...e-pixel-phones-will-consider-expanding-later/

Is anyone else upset about this, or is it just me? I know that we're only supposed to expect OS and security updates for the 2 years that are promised, but refusing to give us new features after only a year seems to be a very hostile move.

Vamp07 · Oct 5, 2016

Oh relax everyone will get it. It makes more sense for them to roll this stuff out slowly.

uzetaab · Oct 5, 2016

I'm not really bothered by it. I use Nova Launcher anyway, and am not likely to switch. Google launchers have always been a bit...basic in functionality. We already have google assistant available to us in the Allo app, and so far it doesn't really seem much different to Google Now anyway.

I'm more bothered by Google's Xenophobia. I know, that's a bit extreme, but still. Year after year they release these products in the US first and it takes months and months before they hit other countries. They have done better this time around with Daydream, Pixel phones and Chromecast available in some other countries at launch, but the Home, Wifi and blue Pixel are US only for now.

Amazon are even worse in this regard, but Microsoft and Apple seem to be able to manage world-wide releases.

Rxpert83 · Oct 5, 2016

I have no doubts itll be ported over very easily. Its just an apk, after all.

As far as it being hostile, I disagree. Its part of the pixel brand, we arent.

Vamp07 · Oct 6, 2016

Yes they want to give the new brand initial visibility. Makes perfect sense to me.. Pixel also gets to be the guinny pig. In either case allo gives everyone the assistant to play with. Also helps promote Allo which also from Google perspective makes sense.

GuitarG20 · Oct 6, 2016

I think I'm mostly upset about that fact that everything I read says we aren't going to get assistant. And, I do feel betrayed with a feature cutoff after only a year. Despite the fact that they changed brands; it wouldn't be difficult to fold nexus phones in, at least till 2 years are up. Since they're killing nexus and moving over to pixel as the "Google" brand.

Vamp07 · Oct 6, 2016

I bet everyone gets it probably through a third-party launcher I don't think there's anything exclusive about being able to go to the assistant directly. I've always loved Nova and if they can integrate assistant I would probably use that launcher even on a pixel.

GuitarG20 · Oct 8, 2016

Vamp07 said:
I bet everyone gets it probably through a third-party launcher I don't think there's anything exclusive about being able to go to the assistant directly. I've always loved Nova and if they can integrate assistant I would probably use that launcher even on a pixel.

I could be misinterpreting things, but what I have been reading is that you won't even be able to get assistant without being on a pixel phone.

Vamp07 · Oct 9, 2016

GuitarG20 said:
I could be misinterpreting things, but what I have been reading is that you won't even be able to get assistant without being on a pixel phone.

I doubt that's the case. Maybe next version of Google launcher or next version of Android. Everyone already has it through allo. We are talking about home button integration. Google is using the pixel phones as a testing ground for this. Given its in 7.1 I would assume manufacturers will get that build. How quickly they release updates to their phones is another story. I do sort of think nexus phones should get 7.1. Maybe not immediately but quickly. I do really think that Google has every right to use this new feature as a promotional tool for their new phones which honestly are not out yet anyways so who knows what will happen after the 20th of October.

Rxpert83 · Oct 11, 2016

FWIW, as of today we can already get assistant with root:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/guide-how-to-enable-google-assistant-t3477879

via
http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/11/google-assistant-can-enabled-rooted-android-7-0-device/

No Official Pixel Launcher - for now at least

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