For years, Nova Launcher was my preferred Android launcher. Initially, its lengthy list of customization options attracted me, but its powerful search capabilities truly won me over. I could easily access obscure parts of an app directly from its search bar, saving time scrolling through app lists and reducing home screen clutter. There was no longer a need to pin important apps for easy access. However, this changed when I got a Pixel 8 and encountered Pixel Launcher‘s limited search for the first time. I was disappointed.
Nova Launcher isn’t developed by a massive search company whose name is synonymous with search, yet it excelled in search functionality. Google, responsible for both Pixel hardware and software, falls embarrassingly short with Pixel Launcher.