Google is testing the next level of search bar in Pixel Launcher

Pixel phones (and some previous Nexus devices) have a custom home screen application launcher developed by Google, although it is not as feature-rich as some third-party launchers or other manufacturers' home screens. Fortunately, Pixel Launcher looks likely to get a useful upgrade in the near future.

Esper's Mishaal Rahman found that Pixel Launcher built in the latest Android 13 developer preview has an updated search bar, although this feature has not been activated. When enabled, the search bar on the home screen and in the application drawer will be able to search for widgets, saved screenshots, and Google search suggestions. For example, you don't have to open the Google album to quickly check the image, so you don't have to click a few more clicks.

Once the required flags are flipped, the search seems to work, so we may soon see a full version of the update feature. Google may include it in the Android 13 update that will be released later this year, or it may be included in Pixel Feature Drop earlier. The company recently began publicly testing the next quarterly version of the Android platform, which is likely to be released as a June Pixel Feature Drop.

For some time, other manufacturers have provided similar search functions on their home screens. IOS has more powerful system-wide search capabilities to extract data from contacts, emails, phones, and other applications. The search bar on Samsung One UI's home screen can also search your phone and network, including system settings, YouTube videos and other locations.