Removing the Google bar
- Thread starter Ca_lvn
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chanchan05
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- Nov 22, 2014
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Regarding the Google search bar on Pixel 2/XL ..... can you at least move it around the home screen, or is it permanently affixed to the bottom of the screen? Because that would really suck. I don't care about being able to remove the search bar, but I hope you can at least re-position it??
I'm asking because I'm seriously considering a Pixel 2.
I'm asking because I'm seriously considering a Pixel 2.
cbreze
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- May 30, 2011
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Afraid not, it is stuck where it is using the pixel launcher. Most other launchers allow that customization tho. I solve my needs by using various launchers and coming back to the pixel launcher when I need to regain a feel for it. My pixel gives me the best of everything that way. Change launchers as the mood for change strikes me. It's all good.
I would think, with the search bar permanently affixed at the bottom, that you'd be constantly selecting it ("fat fingering it") by mistake - when you're trying to hit the Home button (??)
Has this been an issue for any of you Pixel 2 owners?
NOt for me and I have fat thumbs. In fact after having the google search bar ont he top of my phone screen since the nexus 1, I installed Nova as always and put the google search bar on top of the Pixel 2 XL. But then I realized it made more sense near the bottom so I put it back there and it's been there for the last month of having a Pixel 2 XL with zero issues, just convenience.
When you're on the Pixel launcher, do you tend to fat-finger the search bar by mistake? The damn thing is so close to the capacitive buttons, you would think you'd be hitting it by mistake all the time.
Well that's good to know. Maybe it just looks more crowded and cramped than it really is. But I swear, just looking at photos, it seems like this would be a constant problem. I need to go play around with one and try to get a feel for it.
LeoRex
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- Nov 21, 2012
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nah.. I got big mits and I have never had an issue hitting the search bar by accident.
Frankly, I love the placement. Once phones moved to bigger screens, there has been a slow shift in UI best practices to have as many actionable controls at the bottom of the screen... Google's been slowly moving stuff to the bottom.. even Chrome has an option to bury the address bar stuff on the bottom.
TraderGary
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- Apr 12, 2012
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With my Pixel 2 XL 128, I found that I really liked the ability to just squeeze to launch Google! So I just totally eliminated the unsightly Google search bar using my Nova Prime Launcher.
That didn't work for me because when you use Google Assistant by squeeze she then reads out to you the main result. That really really doesn't work for me in multiple situations I find myself searching for stuff in.
I wish there was a way to shut the Google assistant from reading back results but I scoured the settings and nada.
Awesome, thanks for your help. It still looks crowded, but it doesn't seem like it's an issue. It's probably smarter than we think as far as detecting where you're finger is pressing/tapping. Enough so that it's not a problem.
cbreze
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It's never been a problem for me. You can set Nova launcher up to mimic the pixel launcher if you want. This way you can put that search bar where ever you want and do a bunch of other stuff. I had Nova set that way and you can't really tell the diff but I was able to hide the top bar, move the search bar, shrink it down and a bunch of other stuff. Win/Win.
TraderGary
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- Apr 12, 2012
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Using Nova Launcher Prime, here's what my screen looks like today with no Google search bar.
And when I want to use one of my apps, I simply swipe up to get this screen.
And when I want to use one of my apps, I simply swipe up to get this screen.
LeoRex
Retired Moderator
- Nov 21, 2012
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you're most welcome.
I was happy to see the shift. Like I said, I have fairly large hands and haven't had issues using even large phones one-handed (I had a Nexus 6), but there are limits... the height of the phone usually always made it a bit of a chore to get up to the top of the screen.... it was a bit of a reach. And now, with everything moving to tall 18x9 screens, I would imagine that most people with wee little normal sized paws would have all kinds of problems with stuff at the top and diagonally across.
But toolbars are moving to the base, along with FABs, etc. Better usability.
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