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Nova Launcher adds docked search bar, more Pixel 2 goodness in latest beta

By Milen Yanachkov

Published: Oct 17, 2017, 2:20 AM

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Android Apps

Nova Launcher adds docked search bar, more Pixel 2 goodness in latest beta

Action Launcher may have been quicker in adopting certain Oreo/Pixel 2 features over the last few months—such as Oreo-style adaptive icons and a docked search bar—but Nova Launcher is back on track with its latest beta (5.5-beta3), available now on the app's beta channel.

The latest version brings a lot of the usual host of under-the-hood optimizations and improvements, but most importantly, it also introduces two sought-after features in the form of docked search and an Android 8.1-style pop-up menu for app shortcuts. To place the Google search bar widget in your dock, go to Nova Settings > Dock > Searchbar in dock, and choose whether you want it displayed above or below the icons in the dock. The best part about this is that the widget, albeit now in your dock, is still the same customizable widget that you know and (probably) love from your home screen. This means that long-pressing the search bar yields the usual host customization options that let you change its shape, color, and other features.

As for the new pop-up menu style, you can change that from Nova Settings > Look & feel > Popup menu style. This will change the look of the app shortcuts pop-up menu from the Nougat-like pill-shape aesthetic that's currently the default option, to an Oreo-style block design.

Here's the changelog for Nova Launcher 5.5-beta3:

-Searchbar in dock (Nova Settings - Dock - Searchbar in dock - Above or Below Icons)-Android 8.1 style popup menu (Nova Settings - Look and Feel - Popup menu - Blocks)
-Adaptive icon animations during drag and drop
-Improved speed of applying a new adaptive icon shape or icon theme
-Lots of under the hood fixes and optimizations

Keep in mind that some of the features and improvements introduced in this version are available to Nova Prime users only. If you'd like to test the latest beta version of Nova Launcher, you can do so by going to Nova Settings > Check for updates, tapping the three-dot icon in the top right corner, and selecting "Beta" from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can download the APK from the official site (linked bellow).