It has been nearly a decade since the Google Now Launcher (GNL) launch, with its debut alongside the Nexus 5 in 2013. It offered users a simple, clean experience while integrating Google Now Cards directly into the launcher to make accessing them easier.
The End of an Era: Google set to Discontinue the Google Now Launcher
Google will be shutting down this service as the Google app will no longer support it. GNL went through several iterations, first being referred to as the Google Experience Launcher (GEL) before it became available to all Android 4.1+ devices via the Play Store in 2014.
According to the story by 9to5Google, it was the go-to launcher for many Android users for the next few years, as it provided a relatively stock and clean experience. Google began to phase out the GNL in 2017, as its core feature - quick access to Google Now cards - was made available through OEM launchers.
Google Experience Launcher (GEL): APK Insight Teardowns Reveal Benefits
This began the transition to the Pixel Launcher for Google's own phones, and over time, less and less focus has been given to the GNL as the Google app has become powered by Google Assistant and other features.
Originally referred to as the Google Experience Launcher (GEL), this launcher was made available to all Android devices running version 4.1 or higher through the Google Play Store. JEB Decompiler revealed some APK Insight teardowns benefit.
Google Now Launcher Removed from Play Store in 2018
Its primary purpose was to offer a more stock and clean experience while providing users easy access to Google Now. However, by 2017, the GNL was no longer a priority for Google as it started to move on to the Pixel Launcher.
Then, Google started to inform partners that the launcher was going away because Google Now was already integrated into many OEM launchers. Despite this, the GNL could still receive updates through the Google app. An article by Android Authority in 2018 shared how the Google Now Launcher was removed from the Play Store.
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The End of an Android Era: The Google Now Launcher Will Stop Working in April
Fast forward to today, and the latest beta version of the Google app has revealed that the "Google Now Launcher will stop working in April." This means those of us who still have the launcher installed will see our device's default launchers take over.
However, Google does note that if you want to keep things the way they are, you can simply not update the Google app. Even though the GNL has been living on borrowed time for a while now, its eventual closure marks the end of an Android era.
It provided users with a more traditional experience, and its simple design was a welcome change of pace for many. It may be a loss to some, but Google has moved on to better things with the Pixel Launcher and Assistant, making the GNL's demise a little easier.
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