The Google Now Launcher is something that the company released along with the Nexus 5 to provide users with a cleaner experience while using its Android services. This software was officially available only to Nexus and Google Play Edition devices running the 4.4 KitKat version of Android, but it has now been opened up for all handsets possessing the ability to run Google Now.
This means any device running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS and up can now have a crack at this launcher. Owners who are fed up with their bloat-filled third-party launchers a la TouchWiz, Sense and others can now see what the Google experience is all about, without having to buy a Nexus or Google Play Edition device.
Sure this could be done before by those who were ready to side-load the Now Launcher APK by downloading it through the internet. But now that it’s officially available for all devices through the Play Store, there’s no need to do that.
Also Read: Google Now Launcher has landed on Play Store, but only for Nexus and GPS devices
What it brings to the table is a revamped homescreen, sliding right on which takes you straight into the Google Search app, complete with all the cool Now cards. One more amazing aspect about the Google Now Launcher is that you can use the ‘Okay Google’ voice command to demand actions from your phone.
We’d advise you to try out the Google Now Launcher at least once, because it’s a pretty neat and useful utility which we’ve come to love over the past few months. Here’s the Play Store link to it.