Google stops Now launcher for Android

Google will stop offering the Now launcher in the coming weeks. The launcher offered Android manufacturers and users the ability to run an “unmodified” version of the mobile operating system with the Now service integrated.

The internet giant made this known in an email sent to partner companies. The email has been viewed and published by Android Police. According to Google, from March 1, it will no longer be possible for manufacturers to deliver the Now launcher on an Android device. So they have to supply another launcher, although most major manufacturers have their own skin.

Not only Android manufacturers will have to deal with the change. Also, the Now launcher application will disappear from the Play Store. The app will be removed sometime this quarter, but no specific date has yet been announced. Existing users can keep the launcher, but updates will no longer appear.

Google has released a separate Pixel launcher with the release of the Pixel line of smartphones. However, it is not available for most Android devices. It is possible that after the Now launcher is phased out, the Pixel variant will become available. Another reason for phasing out Now is that Google has a new, comparable service with Assistant. However, this has not yet been widely rolled out. Google released the Now launcher about 2.5 years ago.