Google is working on a brand new launcher that is expected to debut on this year’s Nexus 2016 device(s), apparently.
A new report claims that Google is working on a redesigned Android launcher that will supposedly be exclusively available on the HTC Nexus 2016 phones (codenamed Marlin and Sailfish). This launcher, first revealed by Android Police, will reportedly feature new widgets and cosmetic changes.
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So what’s changed? Well the app drawer icon is gone, although the draw itself remains – it’s now hidden under a “frosted glass” section that can be dragged up from the bottom of the screen. You can also tap on a new arrow that sits just below the bottom row of apps on your home screen. The search bar design has also been tweaked and now has a ‘material design’ finish.
The next change affects the home screen, where the Google Search widget bar that usually lives at the top of your screen has been culled. There’s now a new, transparent calendar widget in the top right, and a Google Search pull tab on the left. It definitely makes the home screen look cleaner.
There are also some minor cosmetic changes, which you can see in the images below:
Google is expected to unveil two new Nexus smartphones later this year, reportedly built by Taiwanese technology giant HTC. There’s a chance that HTC may take some design cues from this year’s well-received HTC 10 smartphone, although it could be an entirely new proposition. Of course, no official details have been released regarding the new Nexus phones, and HTC has not been confirmed as a manufacturer. As such, take this report with due caution.
Related: Samsung Galaxy S8
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What would you like to see from the rumoured HTC Nexus 2016? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.