This week Google has made the Google Experience Launcher available to anyone running Android versions 4.1 or higher.
The Google Experience Launcher simply allows you to change the look of your Android Home Screen, and your App Drawer to give it the minimal stock Android look, that is usually only reserved for Google Nexus devices.
If you own an Android smartphone, be it a Samsung, HTC, Sony, or other; There’s a very good chance that the version of Android you have is actually ‘skinned’ or has been heavily customised by your manufacturer, and is not the native or stock version of Android. The manufacturers ultimately do this to improve the experience of Android, add extra features, and to differentiate themselves from all of other manufacturers, to create their own brand identity.
This is by no means a bad thing. However, many people prefer the original look and feel of Android, and it’s these people who will be extremely grateful that Google has made their Google Experience Launcher openly available on the Play Store.
The Google Experience Launcher is a very minimal launcher, that makes your app icons appear slightly larger, and uses slick transitions when switching between the home screen and the app drawer, or opening and closing apps. It also puts Google Now, the predictive personal assistant, right on your Home screen, letting you quickly access it by swiping to the right of your default Home screen.
Google Experience Launcher succeeds at providing a super simplified way to access and organise your favourite apps, in a way that aims to just get out of the way. Some would argue it’s too simplified, and will find this approach restrictive. But for others this will be a refreshing and welcome release. Either way, it’s free, and absolutely worth giving it a try.
