Stuff non-Nexus users will not get with 4.4

[JeffDenver]

In case you are feeling like the red-headed stepchild of the Android world, here is a list of things that are still nexus-Exclusive for the moment:

- Google Experience Launcher
- Translucent Nav Bar and Notification Bar
- Smart Dialer
- Tap & Pay Settings

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/22/psa-what-some-device-owners-wont-see-in-their-kit-kat-update/

Of those items, the only thing I care about personally is the smart dialer. That is kinda useful.

 

[clevin]

I can confirm this, just updated my Nexus 4 today, no Google Experience Launcher, nor Translucent Nav Bar and Notification Bar.

It does, however, have smart dialer.

 

[TheLibertarian]

Seems silly to withhold those things. Especially from the dear Moto X.

Nexus devices aren't high-selling Android devices, why give the niche market exclusivity when all of the Android world would be better off with those advancements?

 

[JeffDenver]

The only thing I missed on that stupid launcher was google voice support and the transparent notifications and nav bars. But I now have that with Nova Prime.

The GE launcher is typical google; few if any options, and lots of google trying to think for you. Thank god for 3rd party app integration.

I do like the dialer though. And Google voice has been EXCELLENT for me when it comes to voice-dialing numbers as well. Zero mistakes so far.

 

[festinator]

Or, you could go online, download the apk for Google experience launcher, and get all of those things.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[JeffDenver]

Seems silly to withhold those things. Especially from the dear Moto X.

Nexus devices aren't high-selling Android devices, why give the niche market exclusivity when all of the Android world would be better off with those advancements?

I disagree with you a lot, but not on this. It is stupid to make this stuff Nexus exclusive. No one buy's Nexus devices for "exclusive" options.

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Or, you could go online, download the apk for Google experience launcher, and get all of those things.

You could, but shouldn't have to.

Also...I know from personal experience that this method does not always work. It was the main reason I started using nexus devices in the first place.

 

[festinator]

I disagree with you a lot, but not on this. It is stupid to make this stuff Nexus exclusive. No one buy's Nexus devices for "exclusive" options.

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You could, but shouldn't have to.

Also...I know from personal experience that this method does not always work. It was the main reason I started using nexus devices in the first place.

It should work shouldn't it? Its like downloading any other launcher.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[JeffDenver]

It should work shouldn't it? Its like downloading any other launcher.

Welll...maybe. The thing that would make me nervous about it is the voice integration. That is an under-the-hood thing that is not normal in 3rd party launchers.

 

[festinator]

Welll...maybe. The thing that would make me nervous about it is the voice integration. That is an under-the-hood thing that is not normal in 3rd party launchers.

Ahh.. Its working just fine on my nexus 4, but maybe thats cuz its a non nexus device. Anyways I agree with you guys that it's weird for them to keep those features on the nexus 5 only.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[anon(5857193)]

In case you are feeling like the red-headed stepchild of the Android world, here is a list of things that are still nexus-Exclusive for the moment:

- Google Experience Launcher
- Translucent Nav Bar and Notification Bar
- Smart Dialer
- Tap & Pay Settings

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/22/psa-what-some-device-owners-wont-see-in-their-kit-kat-update/

Of those items, the only thing I care about personally is the smart dialer. That is kinda useful.

Actually, those features aren't available to all Nexus devices. If you want the full Kit Kat experience, the only device that offers it is the Nexus 5.

Edit:
IIRC, the transparent notification and nav bars API should be available for all Kit Kat devices.

 

[yfan]

Actually, those features aren't available to all Nexus devices. If you want the full Kit Kat experience, the only device that offers it is the Nexus 5.

Actually, the features aren't KitKat features. They are Google experience features. Second, those things are available on pretty much any 4.1+ devices, you just have to sideload the apks.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[anon(5857193)]

Actually, the features aren't KitKat features. They are Google experience features.

The launcher, yes. Maybe 'Tap & Pay' too, but not the others.

Second, those things are available on pretty much any 4.1+ devices, you just have to sideload the apks.

Sideloading is a whole different thing. I believe we're talking about official features here.

 

[yfan]

The launcher, yes. Maybe 'Tap & Pay' too, but not the others.

Apparently the smart dialer IS part of the Nexus 4 update. That leaves us the translucent navbar.

Sideloading is a whole different thing. I believe we're talking about official features here.

Everything is an app in Android. I'm not sure if the translucent navbar can be duplicated in an app, but both launcher and dialer are apps.

Posted via Android Central App