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What a great way to use your phone on your tablet

What a great way to use your phone on your tablet

Vote: (4 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Google

Version: 1.4.large

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(4 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Google

1.4.large

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • Launcher itself is simple, clean, and straightforward
  • Google Now cards provide news, weather, and updates tailored to each user
  • Plenty of customization options to control what's shown

Cons

  • Privacy concerns over giving Google so much personal and device data
  • Tweaking every setting for the best experience takes time

Google Now Launcher is a powerful launcher developed by Google. The launcher includes Google Now and a stock Android launcher in one package. For many users, Google's customized launcher will provide everything they need while using their phones. A lightweight launcher provides powerful features in a mostly automated manner. Many phones include this launcher by default, but other users will want to download it right away.

Google Now Packed With Useful Information

In the launcher, Google Now exists as a separate home screen to the left of the main homepage. It contains news articles, weather, traffic information, and much more for users to browse. Results are based upon a given user's search history as well as their own preferences. Each person can set up what displays on the Google Now cards with a few easy steps. However, setting up everything in the app can take some time.

Users will see news and other information based on their own browsing history, which is a useful feature. When a result is shown, users can swipe cards away or let Google know they're not interested in a particular card or subject. The launcher gets smarter as users interact more with its cards. In day-to-day usage, Google Now Launcher is an incredible launcher due in part to the Now Cards.

Then again, the launcher itself isn't too bad, either. Users can create multiple homescreens to display their apps on. Dozens of widgets for apps can be placed on these screens as well. The launcher experience is based on stock Android, so it might be considered a little simple to certain users. Regardless, managing homescreens requires a couple simple, quick steps, and various customization options are available as well.

Perhaps One (Privacy) Concern

The only major downside to Google Now Launcher is the app relies upon personal information to work. To get the best experience, a user needs to let Google see their browsing history and other device information. Certain bits of information can be hidden from the app, but then the experience becomes something less. Most users won't mind too much about giving away information, yet the same can't be said for those that value privacy and security.

In the end, Google Now Launcher is one of Android's best launchers available today. The homescreens and customization options are stock Android, so they're quite simple. Google Now and the cards of information it displays are the true prize here. By enabling Google Now, users will enter into a world where they see all of the information they might be interested in curated into one place.

Pros

  • Launcher itself is simple, clean, and straightforward
  • Google Now cards provide news, weather, and updates tailored to each user
  • Plenty of customization options to control what's shown

Cons

  • Privacy concerns over giving Google so much personal and device data
  • Tweaking every setting for the best experience takes time