It looks like Google is testing a different layout and design for its Pixel Launcher devices, which are said to come pre-installed in Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL smartphones. As of now, there is not much information available in the market regarding the matter.



Google wants to make a statement with these obvious and rather fundamental changes. The most noticeable change includes the replacement of the pill shaped button placed on Google search with an older styled search tab, which stretches across the width of the screen. This Google search bar structure was used in the older versions of Google devices. This change has also led to the complete removal of weather widget.



Interestingly a user on Reddit, noted the design change, which occurred, when the device rolled back from Android Nougat 7.1.2 to its stable beta version of Android 7.1.1. This user also stressed on the fact that, the titan tech company hasn’t made any dramatic functional changes apart from the search bar and weather widget removal.

Image Source – Google Store

Some users have also reported that if you open the Pixel’s settings menu, then tap on ‘apps’, then ‘Pixel Launcher’ and at last, on ‘clear data’, the device restores the old pill shaped button, by replacing it with the new search bar.