The new Google Experience launcher, that is available exclusively to the Nexus 5, but is already available to other devices via an extracted APK, allows for quick access to Google Now with just a simple left-to-right swipe.

This new launcher keeps Google Now in memory, which means that there is no loading time or ‘Refreshing’ of data. This makes Google Now much faster to access and provides useful information much more quickly.

http://youtu.be/mpYnT7WKqbE

However, one size does not suit all, and not everyone will like this new gesture of quickly accessing Google Now. If you are one of them, and are looking for a way to get rid of Now from your home screen, below are a few options for you.

• Completely turn off Google Now – Not the best option, but outside of the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, Google Now does not really show any valuable information. You can disable Google Now by opening the app and then go to Settings by tapping the overflow menu button and toggle the Now switch to off.
• Another option is to use a third party launcher like Nova or Apex. These launchers are much more powerful than the stock Android launcher and offer features like gesture support, icon packs and more. However, these launchers are yet to be updated with the new Android 4.4 KitKat look, and thus, by default look like the older Jelly Bean launcher.
• If you really want to stick to the KitKat launcher, download and install this KitKat launcher clone. It is the exact replica of the stock KitKat launcher minus the Google Now integration. Keep in mind that you won’t be getting the transparent notification and navigation bar with this launcher though.

While Google Now is not very useful in my country, I still prefer quick and easy access to it for quickly searching something across the Internet and my Android device.