Search on Google’s Pixel phones should be amazing, but not so

For years, Nova Launcher has been my preferred Android launcher. Initially, the long list of its customs options attracted me, but its powerful search skills really made me. Win I can easily access the unclear parts of an app from its search bar, save time to scroll through the app lists, and reduce home screen clutter. There was no need to pin important apps for easy access. However, it changed when I got a pixel 8 and the first time I had a limited search for a Pixel launcher. I was disappointed.

Nova Launcher has not been developed by a large -scale search company, named as searching, yet he has done well in the search functionality. Google, which is responsible for both pixel hardware and software, is shamefully short with the Pixel launcher.

A launcher’s search bar should be the most powerful tool for Android smartphone. It should take me exactly where I want to go, or at least close. If I want to access a specific slack channel, I should be able to do so directly. If there is a setting I want to change, such as adjusting default apps, my launcher’s meganfiving glass should guide me there. Deciding through a pixel search, it seems that Google doesn’t agree enough with me.

There are two ways to access the search through the launchers of the pixels. You can tap the permanent home screen search bar at the bottom of the screen or swipe to access the app drawing facility. The latter is a bit more customized, but it is not immediately accessible.

To give some credit to Google, I like aspects of the home search bar aspects. I can tap the Gogo to open my manicward discourse feed. I also admire how the keyboard disappears with the scroll down and reopens when the search bar is enabled. This detail shows a understanding of the features of Google’s smart prevalence. However, these small details are shadowing due to major problems.

I let them explain in more detail, starting with an easy search term. Taping the home screen search bar and typing “Settings” provides a web search tips wall, not a toggle list. I am not sure why Google thinks I want to go to “Settings iPhone” on my Pixel 8. Just scroll down and find options to directly find phone settings, play stores, maps and contacts apps. These options should be top, or Google should allow me to reset the parts within the search page.

According to Google’s credit, this is the case in search of the app drawer. I can disable the web search results here, but this option should also be available on the home search bar. The results of the app drawer include occasional quick settings options, but why not All Settings? You can see how Nova’s results compare the results in the next section.

Even more surprisingly, Google lacks deep integration with its own apps. Adding the event to the APP app drawer search options when searching the calendar, I can’t find one The specified event Using keywords. I can’t find the cap notes, pixel season locations, sheet documents in the drive, or photo albums from any search bar.

Someone can argue that if it is not useful, I do not need to use a home search bar on my pixel, but it is difficult to ignore it. Google makes it a permanent reality on the home screen that cannot be moved or invisible. The company clearly wants me to use it, even more than the option of looking for the app.

I am not sure I am very strict on Google, especially when we compare the Pixel search results on the same phone with the results of the Nova Launcher.

When I find “Settings”, Nova immediately makes a list of the original options for settings, initially configured according to the alphabet: phone, leakage, aircraft mode, about all apps and battery. It is available from the badge. There is no additional need. I can improve the results by adding more details to my search. “Settings DA” offers default apps, data use, and date and time link.

Beyond the settings on my phone, I can also jump directly into the shortcut in third party apps. In Nova’s settings, I can increase my search scope through API integration, which can provide access to Spatif Library items (seen below), calendar events, silk channels, and Twitches streams.

With Nova, a month ago, there is no need to open a calendar and script for a particular event. I can easily find it from the search bar and access it immediately. I can further enhance these abilities Sesame shortcutsAn optional aid that allows third -party apps and their shortcuts to integrate even more.

The Pixel Launcher offers some of these integrations, even some Google products. I know the company once offered a more complex search system with API on its devices, but it stopped these efforts. Although he has re -presented some integration in search of a Pixel launcher, this experience stands in comparison to Nova.

So what’s right? It is a task for my permanent Nova launcher to Pixel 8, but one who introduces his own problems. Despite Google’s patch, third -party launchers are still suffering from animation issues, and Nova is seriously affected. From any menu returning to the home screen results in brightness and stathers. Despite its strong search features, Nova has no option for now. The Pixel Launcher performs very well on his ancestral hardware.

My only hope is that Google improves the pixel launcher’s search utility in the future. This focus will help and power users to find content more efficiently on their devices and the launcher will be converted into Google Google. With new features promising to Android 16, including fresh dynamic images and better UI elements, I urge the company to consider building a more comprehensive launcher search experience. Pixel users deserve it.