Sometimes a proprietary user interface just isn’t what you’re looking for, and that stock Android experience is more to your liking. With the Google Now Launcher, formerly known as the google Experience Launcher, getting that vanilla experience is as easy as downloading an app from the Play Store. Only if you have the right device, though.
At launch, the Google Now Launcher only supported a few devices, and all of them fell under the Nexus or Google Play edition brands. Handsets like the HTC One (M8) or LG G3 are normally not compatible with the software, but if a new report from Android Central is any indicator, that could be changing soon.
Quite a few users have been reporting new compatibility options for the Google Now Launcher, including devices like the One (M8), G3, Huawei Ascend P7, HTC One Mini 2, and HTC’s Desire 816. Moreover, some are reporting that Verizon’s G3 and Galaxy S5 are being listed as supported now, too. It’s quite the array of new devices, but nothing has been confirmed by Google quite yet, so there are still some questions lingering on whether or not this is something that will stick around.
Indeed, some users are noticing that the same compatibility list isn’t showing up for all users. Some can see support for a Galaxy S5, for instance, while others can’t. As it stands, the app still says it only supports Nexus and Google Play edition devices, but that doesn’t mean that support for these other devices, or more, isn’t coming right around the corner. It would make sense, anyway, considering that most of these devices can run the stock experience without any issues. (Seeing as many side-load the app to use it without any “official” support would indicate as much.)
You can find the link to the launcher below, and be sure to let us know if you see support for your device.
Have you tried out the Google Now Launcher? What do you think of it?