Now you can get the Nexus 5's useful Google Now home screen features on other Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, thanks to this launcher. by Sarah Mitroff February 26, 2014 3:57 PM PST The Google Now Launcher on a Nexus 7. (Credit: Google) While the Nexus 5 ships with Android KitKat, the phone's home screens and app drawer get their unique and refined designs from a custom launcher. Now, if you're rocking a Nexus 4, Nexus 7, or a Google Play edition HTC One, you can get your hands on that launcher too, straight from the Play Store. Related stories: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 next up for KitKat upgrade at Sprint HTC pledges to replace your phone's cracked screen for free Samsung updates Galaxy S4, Note 3 with Android KitKat Dubbed the Google Now Launcher, this homescreen replacement gives you two useful Google Now-centric features. From your homescreen, you can swipe right to bring up Google Now, where you can view your weather, sports score, traffic and reminder cards, and anything else you've added to Google Now. You can also say "OK Google" from your homescreen to start a voice search, without even touching your phone or tablet. The launcher also includes new wallpapers, a transparent app drawer with large app icons, and a transparent status bar. Launchers replace your phone's built-in home screen and app drawer, but most of them don't alter your phone's settings menus or notification drawer. The Google Now Launcher is available in the Play Store now, but only for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices with Android KitKat 4.4. That means it'll work on the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, the Google Play editions of the HTC One, and Samsung Galaxy S4, to name a few. If you don't have any of those phones or tablets, and still want to use the Google Now Launcher, there's a reliable workaround.
Now you can get the Nexus 5's useful Google Now home screen features on other Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, thanks to this launcher.
The Google Now Launcher on a Nexus 7.
(Credit: Google)
While the Nexus 5 ships with Android KitKat, the phone's home screens and app drawer get their unique and refined designs from a custom launcher. Now, if you're rocking a Nexus 4, Nexus 7, or a Google Play edition HTC One, you can get your hands on that launcher too, straight from the Play Store.
Related stories:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 3 next up for KitKat upgrade at Sprint
- HTC pledges to replace your phone's cracked screen for free
- Samsung updates Galaxy S4, Note 3 with Android KitKat
Dubbed the Google Now Launcher, this homescreen replacement gives you two useful Google Now-centric features. From your homescreen, you can swipe right to bring up Google Now, where you can view your weather, sports score, traffic and reminder cards, and anything else you've added to Google Now. You can also say "OK Google" from your homescreen to start a voice search, without even touching your phone or tablet.
The launcher also includes new wallpapers, a transparent app drawer with large app icons, and a transparent status bar. Launchers replace your phone's built-in home screen and app drawer, but most of them don't alter your phone's settings menus or notification drawer.
The Google Now Launcher is available in the Play Store now, but only for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices with Android KitKat 4.4. That means it'll work on the Nexus 4, Nexus 7, the Google Play editions of the HTC One, and Samsung Galaxy S4, to name a few.
If you don't have any of those phones or tablets, and still want to use the Google Now Launcher, there's a reliable workaround.
