Google Pixel Users Rejoice - Beta Code Hints At A Fix You Have Wanted For Years - BGR

"Pixel phones are the closest thing to iPhones in the Android realm. They're made by the same company that designs the operating system, and they run a relatively clean version of Android, as envisioned by Google. Like iPhones, Pixel phones are the first to receive software updates, as Google controls the OS rollout. While Google has been refining the Android experience and appearance for its Pixel phones over the years, Pixel phones still get some criticism from longtime users, including a complaint about the home screen experience."

"Pixel owners can customize the look of their devices, but one user interface element can't be changed: the Google search bar. Whether you need it or not, the search bar is always there, a reminder of Google's emphasis on mobile search. But Google may finally let users disable the search bar from the main home screen in a future Android update."

"Google has not announced the design change, but Android Authority has discovered code related to the Pixel Launcher in Android 17 QPR1 beta 2 that indicates users might be able to hide the Google Search bar on Pixel phones. The blog also created a mockup of the interface that Android 17 may offer users, showing a simple toggle in a Search bar settings menu that would let users remove the Google search bar from the bottom of the home screen."

"One major purpose of Android was to give Google a stronghold over the post-PC era market, when most internet searches would come from mobile devices. Android was the investment that allowed Google to control one of the major mobile operating systems and position its Google Search features prominently on mobile devices. A lot has changed since the early days of the iPhone and Android OS. Apple and Google are the dominant players in consumer mobile operating systems, but Google is still making most of its money from ads."

Pixel phones are produced by the same company that develops Android and they run a relatively clean version of the operating system. Pixel devices receive software updates early because the OS rollout is controlled by Google. Longtime users still criticize some aspects of the Pixel experience, including the home screen. Pixel owners can customize many elements, but the Google Search bar remains fixed on the bottom of the home screen. Code found in an Android 17 QPR1 beta 2 build for the Pixel Launcher suggests a future option to hide that search bar. A mockup shows a toggle in Search bar settings that would remove the bar from the home screen. The search bar supports Google’s mobile search strategy and ad revenue.

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