The site laboratory continues to study the most current 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 choice ( graphical shell and more) for smartphones and tablets based on Android OS.
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 entrant, Google Start, offers cutting-edge design, minimal features, and excellent performance. But the second, Yandex Launcher, is positioned as a simple solution that will be understandable to all users and contains many goodies.
The test equipment used was Xiaomi smartphone Redmi Note(Miui V7 on Android 4.4.2 OS, Dalvik runtime, MediaTek processor MT6592, 8 x 1700 MHz, Mali-450 MP4 video coprocessor, 700 MHz, 2 GB RAM) and Jinga Basco M500 3G smartphone (OC Android 5.1, Wednesday execution of ART, MediaTek MT6580 processor, 4 x 1300 MHz, Mali-400 MP2 video coprocessor, 1 GB RAM).
Google Start
Acquaintance
Simple, stylish and trouble-free - this is how you can characterize the free Google Start launcher. But this is in general, and to be more precise, what is this program? Let's take a closer look at it.
Key features of the Google Start launcher:
- Swipe right to open Google tips Now and get the necessary information in in the right place and at the right time;
- Find information on any page of the home screen;
- Say "Ok Google" to get started. voice search, send SMS, play music and much more;
- Convenient search on the device and in Google Play in an alphabetical list with the ability to quickly scroll;
- The apps you are looking for are listed above the rest.
Beginning of work
Starting with OS Android 4.0, Google has been promoting common interface for all its systems and gadgets, which is increasingly stylized and improved from version to version.
But not all device manufacturers agreed with this approach, for example, Samsung both “sculpted” TouchWiz into all of its devices, and “sculpts it.” And Google employees decided to post it in open access the same shell that was used on 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 home screen is represented by a classic, unchangeable grid of shortcuts, the size of which depends on the diagonal of the smartphone and its DPI.
There is a search bar at the top Google panel. The service application is responsible for its activity Google Now. If previously it was possible to remove it or not install it and the shell continued to function fully, with the exception of search, now the “launcher” is completely dependent on it.
By the way, if we make a “knight’s move,” or rather, swipe to the right on the main screen, then the aforementioned Google Now assistant will open.
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 Wallpaper. They carry over completely from the most recent current system, now it is OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Menu with installed applications Google Start looks interesting. If at the most earlier versions systems, starting from 1.0, the menu was scrolled vertically, then by OS Android 2.2/2.3-4.0 the developers switched to horizontal scrolling.
Now Google is going back to basics and making a vertically scrollable menu. In addition, it adds a search bar and puts the four most used applications in the most prominent place - at the top of the list.
And this is what Google Start looks like on a tablet with a seven-inch screen.
Settings
Google is true to itself, and there are no settings in the Google Start shell. However, craftsmen do not sleep. They took the application apart piece by piece and released the Xposed GEL Settings module application for the Xposed Framework. Thanks to this program, we can customize the grid of shortcuts on the desktop, increase/decrease the size of icons, fonts and many other parameters. This all depends on the version of the application and the specific device.
Don't forget that the Xposed Framework requires superuser rights to work. Additionally, we recommend making a general backup copy system, since the program changes important components systems that affect the performance of a mobile device.
Testing
Google Start works great on any device running Android 4.1 and later. This shell will not require your device modern processor, hundreds of MB of RAM and at the same time it will delight you with fast and smooth operation. This is what life-giving optimization does!
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 additional load on the processor and RAM and increases battery consumption.
Programmers from Google did something with the application and to activate it you need complete failure from the standard launcher. And on MIUI firmware 7 and newer this is basically impossible, because Chinese developers completely “tweaked” the system to suit our own needs.
Let me clarify that the “launcher” activation method from “traditional craftsmen” did not work. It is possible that Google Start will not work on other custom firmware; this point needs to be checked.
conclusions
Google Start is one of the best shells for android devices. It is simple, stylish and relevant because it is developed by employees Google. The shell can be installed and forgotten about for a long time, it does not cause any problems and does not cause any complaints, as if Google Start is present on all gadgets by default.
The product itself is completely free and contains no advertising. The same can be said about settings and functions. Google is Google, all applications are as simplified and unified as possible for understanding a large number users.
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Many of us need widgets to quick access to the application or for quick search information, but not all widgets provide quality services- the widget may sometimes freeze or not show at all necessary information. Google has created a program that allows the user to use almost all widgets - Google Start.
To use the program, you must install it and run it after installation. The application has a simple and user-friendly interface. After launching the program, a window is displayed in which the user is greeted and offered to change the wallpaper and widget settings. It is also worth noting that the program offers additional wallpapers, mainly related to landmarks 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 function. This function allows you to save significant time.
There is also a search on your tablet or phone, which allows you to find not only documents, but also video and audio files.
Google Now suggestions are main feature applications. Using 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 hints, and general information.
Everyone has their own point of view, some people think this program useless, because you can use websites to search necessary information. The program takes up the device's memory and does not make much sense as an application. Others believe that the program brings pleasure in searching for information, and also believe that with the help this application you can receive various notifications, use original shortcuts for the application, or use a list of recommended applications. In general, some believe that Google app Start is an integral part of the device.
Nougat. However, the launcher also plays a significant role when using a smartphone. Nexus devices 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 be welcome? 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 change. 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:
Above you can view gifs that perfectly convey the essence of the update. However, it is worth saying that this is not Final version. Knowing Google, you can't be sure that the final version of the launcher will be exactly like this. Regarding the changes themselves, they are truly significant. In the past, the company only changed the color of the icon that goes to the list of all applications, and also made the scrolling of this list vertical.
In a future update, Google employees have decided to completely abandon the icon for going to the list of all applications. However, this does not mean that users will receive another copy of iOS, No. The list of all applications will not go anywhere, and to call it you will only need to pull up the translucent card from the dock bar. At the top of the card there is the dock bar itself with application icons; as you raise the card with a list of all applications, the transparency is reduced to zero, and the dock bar applications disappear, giving way to search.
You can also raise the curtain with a list of all applications by clicking on the small arrow or swiping up from it. The list of all applications itself has not received any significant changes, however, we repeat, this may still change by the release.
There is a calendar widget on the main screen that cannot be moved or deleted. To the left of the widget there is a kind of bookmark with the letter “G”, clicking on which activates Google search. So far, swiping 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 an updated Google Search.
And it 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 purchased new Nexuses. Everyone else will have to wait, as was the case with the Nexus 5, the updated launcher of which was received by other Android owners only a few months later, including the owners of the Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 4.
Google Start is a proprietary launcher from Google for Android, which will allow you to try new GUI on Nexus devices. After installing it, the changes will affect only the desktop design; some additional functions and a slightly redesigned appearance 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 design of the launcher is different from the bottom and top panels, which have become translucent and visually enlarge the active area of the screen. Icons and folders have also changed somewhat, becoming larger and having a different background. The main menu as a whole remains the same, we can only note that the “Widgets” tab has disappeared. In general, the interface looks lighter and more stylish.
Application features
First of all, the launcher is designed for simplified access to Google Now, which is called by simply swiping to the right. It is also possible to call an “assistant” voice command"OK Google." Some kind of additional functionality essentially no.The interaction with desktops, wallpapers and widgets has been significantly changed. The new desktop will appear only when it ends free place. You cannot manually change the number of tables. Wallpaper changes to separate menu, which is called long tap along the free zone of the screen. Here you can also see a menu for adding widgets.
In the settings section you will find only a few items: search options on the device, voice search, personal data, notifications and help. There is also a global “switch” responsible for Google 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 “easy” interface;
- Quick access to Google Now;
- Resized icons;
- Voice control;
- Available for Nexus devices only.
There were a decent number of minuses. Launcher, by by and large, does not greatly change the normal appearance 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 at the same time they require Android versions not lower than 4.4. Another significant drawback is bad job with widgets. In particular, most widgets are displayed with altered proportions without the ability to resize.
