Google Testing New Layout Design For Pixel Launcher

The Google is testing a new layout design for their flagship phone, the Pixel, launcher. This new layout design removes the weather and date widget and replaced by a longer and more conventional Google search bar widget.

In the new Pixel launcher layout designs, the previous rounded Google search button on the left side of the phone screen stretches across the other edge where the weather and date widget was placed. The Google button is now a bar with a rounded edge, quietly similar to the old Google search bar usually used in other Android phones.

According to the source, the launcher layout design changes occurred when they restore back their Pixel phone from the Android Nougat 7.1.2 beta to the stable version of Android 7.1.1. Also, users claim that this change takes place only for the phone display purposes and the phones other functionality are not affected.

This new Pixel launcher layout design is still unofficial and seems current still in testing part. If you are a Pixel user experiencing this new launcher design and not comfortable with it, you can set back the old design by doing this method. Go to the settings menu, then to "apps," then to "Pixel Launcher," and clear the data, the new style with old Google Search bar is will replace again by the current pill-shaped button.

With this new layout display and longer Google search bar, the weather and date widget might totally remove from the Pixel phone launcher.  However, as the 9 to 5 Google noted, some Pixel phone users might welcome the removal given their preference for other weather apps and widgets.

Last November, Google also featured a button to quickly launch voice search, as well as a separator indicator between the letter 'G' logo with a precursor design, so this is not the first time we've seen an oblong search bar.