Site Lab site continues to study the most relevant applications for mobile solutions based on Android OS. Last month we finished reviewing the segment and summed up the corresponding results.
Now we will return to the series of articles devoted to the choice ( graphic shell and not only) for smartphones and tablets based on OC Android.
In this article, we will compare the shells of the leading (and, of course, competing) players in the mobile software market - Google and Yandex. The first participant - Google Start - offers an advanced design, a minimum of functions and excellent performance. But the second, Yandex Launcher, is positioned as a simple solution that will be clear to all users and contains many goodies.
Used as test equipment Xiaomi smartphone Redmi note(Miui V7 on OC Android 4.4.2 Wednesday Dalvik runtime, Mediatek processor MT6592, 8 x 1700 MHz, Mali-450 MP4 video co-processor, 700 MHz, 2 GB RAM) and Jinga Basco M500 3G smartphone (OC Android 5.1, ART runtime, MediaTek MT6580 processor, 4 x 1300 MHz, Mali-400 MP2 video co-processor, 1 GB RAM).
Google Start
Acquaintance
Simple, stylish and trouble-free - this is how you can characterize the free "launcher" Google Start. But this is in general, and to be more precise, what is this program? Let's get to know her in more detail.
The main features of the "launcher" Google Start:
- Swipe right to open google hints Now and get the information you need at right place and at the right time;
- Look for information on any page of the main screen;
- Say "Ok Google" to get started voice search, send SMS, play music and more;
- Convenient search on the device and in Google Play by alphabetical list with the ability to quickly scroll;
- The apps you are looking for are listed above the rest.
Beginning of work
Starting with OC Android 4.0, Google is promoting common interface for all their systems and gadgets, which is more and more stylized and improved from version to version.
But not all device manufacturers agreed with this approach, for example, Samsung both “sculpted” TouchWiz into all its devices, and “sculpts”. And Google employees decided to post in open access the same shell that was used on the models of the Nexus line.
External google view Start on a smartphone with a five-inch screen.
Google Start, which is the name of the interface, offers a completely "stock" appearance. The working screen is represented by a classic fixed label grid, the size of which depends on the diagonal of the smartphone and its DPI.
There is a search bar at the top google bar. Responsible for her activity google service app now. If earlier it was possible to remove it or not install it and the shell continued to function fully, with the exception of the search, now the “launcher” is completely dependent on it.
By the way, if you make a "knight's move", or rather swipe to the right on the main screen, then we will open the aforementioned assistant Google Now.
In addition to shortcuts, graphic modules (widgets) can also be placed on the desktop. True, they do not scale.
It is also worth noting the presence of branded google wallpapers. They carry over completely from the latest current system, now it is OC Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Menu with installed apps in Google Start looks interesting. If on the most early versions systems, starting from 1.0, the menu scrolled vertically, then to OC Android 2.2 / 2.3-4.0, the developers switched to horizontal scrolling.
Now Google is going back to its roots and making a vertically scrollable menu. In addition, it adds a search bar and brings the four most used applications to the most prominent place - at the top of the list.
And this is how Google Start looks on a tablet with a seven-inch screen.
Settings
Google does not change itself, and there are no settings in the Google Start shell. However, the craftsmen do not sleep. They took the app apart and released the Xposed GEL Settings module app for the Xposed Framework. Thanks to this program, we will be able to customize the grid of shortcuts on the desktop, increase / decrease the size of icons, fonts and many other parameters. It all depends on the version of the application and the specific device.
Do not forget that Xposed Framework requires superuser rights to work. Additionally, we recommend making a general backup system, as the program changes important components systems that affect the performance of a mobile device.
Testing
Google Start works great on any device with OC Android 4.1 and newer. This shell does not require from your device modern processor, hundreds of MB of RAM and at the same time will delight you with fast and smooth operation. That's what life-giving optimization creates!
One of the disadvantages of the Google "launcher", which concerns its performance, is the need for Google Assistant now. This application is quite resource-intensive, creates an additional load on the processor and RAM and increases battery consumption.
Programmers from Google did something with the application and you need to activate it complete failure from the standard "launcher". And on MIUI firmware 7 and newer, this is basically impossible, because Chinese developers completely "went through" the system in their own way.
I will clarify that the method of activating the "launcher" from the "craftsmen" did not work. It is possible that Google Start will not work on other customized firmware, this point needs to be checked.
findings
Google Start is one of the best shells for android devices. It is simple, stylish and up-to-date, as it is developed by Google employees. The shell can be installed and forgotten about long time, it does not cause any problems and does not cause complaints, as if Google Start is present on all gadgets by default.
The product itself is completely free and contains no ads. The same can be said about settings and functions. Google is Google, all applications are simplified and unified as much as possible for understanding a large number users.
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Nougat. However, the launcher also plays a significant role when using a smartphone. Nexus's use the Google Start launcher as standard, which you can install on your device right now. Will the company change its launcher? If so, will the update become desirable for Android owners? We have answers to these questions.
Let's answer the first question right away. Will the company change its launcher? Yes, it will. Information about the updated launcher was provided to us by colleagues from androidcentral who are 90% sure of its veracity. So let's take a closer look at it:
Above, you can view gif-images that perfectly convey the essence of the update. However, it should be noted that this is not Final version. Knowing Google, one cannot be sure that the final version of the launcher will be exactly like this. As for the changes themselves, they are really significant here. In the past, the company only changed the color of the All Apps icon and made the list scroll vertically.
In a future update, Google employees decided to completely abandon the transition icon to the list of all applications. However, this does not mean that users will receive another a copy of iOS, No. The list of all applications will not go anywhere, and to call it you will only need to pull the translucent card from the dock bar up. At the top of the card is the dock itself with application icons, as the card with a list of all applications is raised, the transparency is reduced to zero, and the applications of the dock bar disappear, giving way to the search.
You can also raise the curtain with a list of all applications by clicking on a small arrow or swiping up from it. The list of all applications itself has not received any significant changes, however, we repeat, the release may still change.
On the main screen, there is a calendar widget that cannot be moved or deleted. To the left of the widget is a kind of bookmark with the letter "G", clicking on which activates Google search. So far, the swipe from the bookmark does not lead to anything, which is due to the dampness of the update. In addition, in the future, Google should introduce Assistant and updated Google Search.
And she will present all the "stuffing" of the updated software along with the new Nexus-smartphones Sailfish and Marlin. In addition, we note that, most likely, the updated launcher will be available on initial stage only to those who have purchased new Nexus's. Everyone else will have to wait, as was the case with the Nexus 5, the updated launcher of which the rest of the Android owners received only a few months later, this included the owners of the Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 4.
Google Start is a branded launcher from Google for Android, which will allow you to try a new GUI on Nexus devices. After installing it, the changes will affect only the design of the desktop, there will be some additional functions and a slightly redesigned look of the icons. But, most importantly, you can quickly call google assistant Now with a simple swipe to the right from the main screen.
The launcher design is different from the bottom and top panels, which have become translucent and visually increase the active area of the screen. Icons and folders have also changed somewhat, becoming larger and getting a different background. The main menu as a whole remains the same, it can only be noted that the Widgets tab has disappeared. In general, the interface looks more "light" and stylish.
Application Features
First of all, the launcher is designed for simplified access to Google Now, which is called by a simple swipe to the right. There is also an option to call an "assistant" voice command OK Google. some additional functionality essentially no.The interaction with desktops, wallpapers and widgets has been changed quite a lot. The new desktop will only appear when finished free place. You cannot change the number of tables manually. Wallpaper changes to separate menu, which is called long tap on the free area of the screen. Here you can also see the menu for adding widgets.
In the settings section, you will find only a few items: device search options, voice search, personal data, notifications, and help. There is also a global "switch" responsible for Google's work now. As you can see, the settings are quite limited and do not differ much from the standard ones.
Features of Google Start for Android:
- New "light" interface;
- Quick access to Google Now;
- Changed icon size;
- Voice control;
- Only available for Nexus devices.
There were quite a few cons. Launcher, by by and large, does not greatly change the normal look of the desktop and essentially allows you to test the future interface. Unfortunately, for now, only owners of devices from the Nexus line can try it out, and it requires android version not lower than 4.4. Another significant disadvantage is bad job with widgets. In particular, most widgets are displayed in resized proportions without the ability to resize.
Outcome
Google Start is a proprietary launcher from Google that allows you to take a look at new interface. On the this moment offered only general acquaintance, insofar as a large number of shortcomings does not allow you to work normally with an alternative desktop.Many of us need widgets for quick access to the application or quick search information, but not all widgets provide quality services- the widget may sometimes freeze or not show at all necessary information. Google created a program that allows the user to use almost all widgets - Google Start.
To use the program, you need to install it, and after installation, run it. The application has a simple and user-friendly interface. After starting the program, a window is displayed in which the user is welcomed and offered to change the wallpaper and widget settings. It is also worth noting that the program offers additional wallpapers related mainly to sights or charming landscapes, as well as unusual geometric lines and shapes.
The program also allows you to use voice search, some devices do not have this feature. This function saves a lot of time.
There is also a search by tablet or phone, which allows you to find not only documents, but also video and audio files.
Google Now tips are main feature applications. With this function, you can receive notifications about the weather, various routes, sports, games, promotions, current information about your location, etc. It is in the settings that you can change personal data, search language, voice search, tablet search, Google Now tips, general information.
Everyone has their own point of view, some believe this program useless, because you can use websites to search necessary information. The program takes up the amount of memory on the device and does not make much sense, as for an application. Others believe that the program brings pleasure in finding information, and also believe that with the help of this application you can receive various notifications, use the original shortcuts for the application, or use the list of recommended applications. In general, some people think that google app Start is an integral part of the device.
