Post by account_disabled on Feb 1, 2024 1:52:58 GMT -5
New Intel suggests that Google may be working on an option that will allow you to customize the stock search engine in the Pixel Launcher search bar to one of your preferences. Currently, Google Pixel Launcher offers a universal search function through its search bar, which allows users to search for all types of content locally and online, including contacts, apps and settings, just by entering a name. However, the new change may affect the source of online results. As frequent tipster Neil Sodikov spotted and shared on X, the latest iteration of the app in Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3, which was launched recently, has a hidden setting called "Search Environment".
The feature Fax Lists is still under development, and there's no word yet from Google on when it might make its way to your Pixel device. But the name and the string of text that describes the setting certainly tells us what the update is about. Based on the screenshot, the text line reads: "Select the app you use to search the web. This affects search and content on your home screen." A screenshot of Pixel Launcher's hidden search engine settings (Photo: Nail Sodikov) This means that you can replace Google with other search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo as the source of your online search results. All searches for local results should remain unaffected though. Among the responses to Sodikov's post, X user Lance Adams added that they saw flags in the Google Chrome app for Android that could be related to the new "Search Labor" setting.
Screenshot of the search engine in Chrome (Image credit: Lance Adams) Although not yet confirmed, the screenshot seems to indicate that any changes you make to the Pixel Launcher search bar may be reflected in Google Chrome's search engine once this option becomes available. Since it is part of Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3, the integration with Chrome can be released in the next Pixel Drop , which is scheduled for March. Google hasn't explained why it's now deciding to customize the search engine selection in the Pixel Launcher search bar, but it's a welcome decision as it gives users more agency over what they want to use on their Pixel devices.
The feature Fax Lists is still under development, and there's no word yet from Google on when it might make its way to your Pixel device. But the name and the string of text that describes the setting certainly tells us what the update is about. Based on the screenshot, the text line reads: "Select the app you use to search the web. This affects search and content on your home screen." A screenshot of Pixel Launcher's hidden search engine settings (Photo: Nail Sodikov) This means that you can replace Google with other search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo as the source of your online search results. All searches for local results should remain unaffected though. Among the responses to Sodikov's post, X user Lance Adams added that they saw flags in the Google Chrome app for Android that could be related to the new "Search Labor" setting.
Screenshot of the search engine in Chrome (Image credit: Lance Adams) Although not yet confirmed, the screenshot seems to indicate that any changes you make to the Pixel Launcher search bar may be reflected in Google Chrome's search engine once this option becomes available. Since it is part of Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3, the integration with Chrome can be released in the next Pixel Drop , which is scheduled for March. Google hasn't explained why it's now deciding to customize the search engine selection in the Pixel Launcher search bar, but it's a welcome decision as it gives users more agency over what they want to use on their Pixel devices.