Just like any other popular and contemporary Android launchers, there is a universal search function in the Pixel Launcher through which you can dig through your phone’s settings, apps, contacts, and online for results; keeping everything in one place.
Universal Search Function on Pixel Launcher
There is a new version of the launcher Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3 and there are also quite interesting hidden settings menu called “Search Engine”.
When you look at its description, it is quite clear as well as straight forward. It says “Select the app you’ll use to search the web. This will affect search and content on your home screen.”
Though all of this is a specualation at the moment when we speak, but it also looks like the Pixel devices might in the near future be able to swap their system-level search engine from Google to something else like Bing or DuckDuckGo.
This piece of information came from one of the renowned tipster in the space, @Nail_Sadykov ‘s twitter account.
The thread which reveals this information also reveals some other interesting similar discoveries related to the Chrome browser.
The users have also found a similar “Search engine choice” flags in the browser. This is also accompanying by a help text that suggests setting said flags would affect the “first run” experience, offering the user a choice of search engine.
Is the Feature a Result of Major Antitrust Case Against Google?
Though speculations are rife about the same, what is notable that as we speak, the Californian tech company Google is currently having a major antitrust case and sued by the US Justice Department and attorney general of eight states.
To brief you about the case and as per the lawsuit, Google which already has a 90% to 95% monopoly in the search engine market is blocking the end user from any avenue of the browser where the end user might discover or land on a different search engine.
Notably, Google is also paying Apple $10bn a year in order to keep Google the default in iOS.
We get the feeling that the new feature is the result of mounting legal pressure on Google. Considering the ongoing battle for the Play Store, it is also interesting to see if the same is the last attack to attack Google.
