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Pixel Launcher Is the Rebranded Nexus Launcher; Available Unofficially

Pixel Launcher Is the Rebranded Nexus Launcher; Available Unofficially

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 19 September 2016 11:20 IST

Highlights

Google's Nexus Launcher is now Pixel Launcher
Pixel Launcher to be present on the new Pixel devices
Pixel Launcher could be unveiled on October 4

Google's Nexus Launcher, the default launcher running on top of all Nexus devices and also available for third-party smartphones as the Google Now Launcher, appears set to be rebranded as Pixel Launcher. The new launcher has been leaked and is anticipated to come with the upcoming Pixel-branded devices.

The new launcher leak goes in-line with rumours that suggest Google will drop the Nexus-branding, and launch the new Android 7.0 Nougat platform lead devices under its own Pixel brand. The company is rumoured to host an event on October 4 where it will showcase the new hardware.

Mobile developer LlabTooFeR shared some screenshots from the new Pixel Launcher purportedly showing the new interface of the upcoming Pixel devices. For those who can't wait for the new Pixel Launcher can download a zip containing the launcher apk and Wallpaper picker apk. To get full functionality (including the Google Now pane), users will have to install the launch apk to /system. If users performed a similar installation method for the Google Now Launcher, they will just need to install the apk as an upgrade. For now, exact compatibility requirements have not been shared, and users are warned to install the apk files at their own risk.

Looking at the new Pixel Launcher, it appears to follow the simplistic design as the Nexus Launcher currently found on Nexus devices. One of the leaked screenshots show that the devices with Pixel Launcher is running version 7.1-xx further giving an impression that the new Pixel devices may launch running Android 7.1 Nougat, as rumoured in earlier reports. In another tweet, LlabTooFeR said, "Very clean and fluid UI."

Android Police points out that the new Pixel Launcher comes with a new Google Calendar icon that integrates the date. Another major tweak is that the navigation bar is now transparent. Other changes are very minor, and the interface over looks similar to the Nexus Launcher.

Rumours suggest that the upcoming Google smartphones will be priced higher than the current Nexus devices at launch. The 5-inch 'Sailfish' smartphone is expected to be priced at $449 (roughly Rs. 30,000), and the 5.5-inch 'Marlin' smartphone to be priced at $599 (roughly Rs. 40,100).

Apart from the two Pixel phones, Google is also expected to unveil a new 7-inch Pixel tablet which is rumoured to be built by Huawei.

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Further reading: Pixel, Pixel Launcher, Google, Nexus, Nexus Launcher

Ketan Pratap

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Ketan Pratap is the editor at Gadgets 360 - with over 12 years of experience covering the technology domain. With a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, he's done extensive work across news, features, reviews, and opinion pieces. But what's truly inspiring about Ketan is how he spends his free time. He's often found gazing at snow-capped mountains from over 20,000 feet while sitting on the hood of his car, taking in the breathtaking beauty of nature. His passion for the great ...More