Users can access the new search experience from the homescreen search bar on Pixels, or the app drawer, which is accessible by swiping up on the screen. Android Police points out that the homescreen search bar previously opened up a Google Search box. However, the new update blends this aspect with the default launcher. It even includes the Material You design which aligns UI colors with the wallpaper. Accessing either search field shows a row of app icons based on their usage. Meanwhile, swiping up to access the app drawer search bar opens up the keyboard by default. Users still have access to the vertical row of apps to scroll through the list of apps manually.
Pinning your recent search queries is already possible on Chrome
Pinning recent search queries simply requires the user to tap and hold the icon next to the search query, and place it anywhere on the homescreen (via SmartDroid). Chrome users on Android will be aware of the “Add to home screen” option accessible via the overflow button. This new feature works in the same way. The feature is more likely to be used by customers now since it lives within the launcher. Adding a search query to your homescreen can be the best way to get important information on pressing topics, including the weather in your city, sports scores, or new deals on your favorite products. The feature is accessible on Android 13 Beta 2, which is currently available for a handful of Pixel devices. But it’s too early to tell if this will make it to the final release during fall this year. In any case, we should have more information coming our way as we inch closer to the official release of Android 13. Google is also prepping the arrival of the Pixel 7 and the 7 Pro for later this year. Continuing the tradition of revealing future hardware at I/O, the company gave us a preview of the two new flagships last week.
