Think...Dream...Fly...Wonder

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Get the the Nexus 5 experience on your phone

As previously announced, Google did not include their new Google Experience Launcher (GEL), that was introduced for the Nexus 5, in the just released factory images, such as for the Nexus 4.

Fortunately, because the new Launcher App is actually just a stub and all the functionality is now tied into the Google Search App, the Search App version that shipped in KitKat also makes GEL available for all devices running Android 4.1+. So, if you run KitKat, all the functionality is actually already there and you just need to install the correct interface (i.e. Launcher App). And even better, you don't even need to run KitKat for GEL. It can be installed on any device running Android 4.1+ (by installing/updating the Google Search App). 

Pre-Requirements
- Android 4.1+

Downloads

All APKs are signed by Google, are safe to install and were not tampered with in any way.

Google Experience Launcher App (depends on Google Search App version 3.1.8+)
Version:  0.10.1.920880
Size: 11.82 MB
Click Here to download (Google Drive)

Google Search App
Version: 3.1.24.941712.arm
Size: 19.49 MB
Click here to download (Google Drive)

NOTE: Version 3.1.8 is not yet released to most users via Google Play! Double-check you don't have an earlier version installed. If so, use the direct download link.

Install

NOTE: If not already done, you first need to enable "Unknown Sources" in Settings > Security (in order to be able to install apps from sources other than Google Play).

1.) Download the Google Search App from the direct link above and install it (if not already installed or an earlier version than 3.1.8.*).
2.) Download the Google Experience Launcher App from the direct link above and install it.

That's already it - done. Just click the home icon and select the Launcher with the blue icon (and subtitled "Google Search") from the selection popup (see screenshot below).
You can now enjoy the new Google Experience - including translucent framework decor, new App Drawer and all that other "sweetness".

Side-by-Side Comparison

Homescreen (left: N4 with stock launcher shipped in KitKat factory image; right: N4 with GEL):



1 comment:

  1. bro me buying this as the screen of dell broke off... :P
    so ne advises...
    advises thru call only or else u die...

    ReplyDelete