And nothing of value was lost.
Imagine needing to use a Google search app… Cellphones are a mistake
This is the integrated search on the home screen of my android (pixel). For a lot of mobile phone users, it’s the fastest way to search something. I can just Google search directly from the home screen instead of opening up a browser.
yeah, but I really wish I could change the browser/search engine it uses. pretty fucked up that I can’t. literally the only reason I use Google search/chrome is the convenience of that search bar (which I know is the reason I can’t change it)
You can change it on other launchers.
Personally I like neolauncher.
https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher The search bar can be set to immediately directly open Firefox search, or you can pick form a list of various engines.
There’s a dozen other launchers to try. Lawnchair is a more popular choice, probably better for someone switching from pixel default. There’s a few very specific features it’s missing for me.
If you search Lemmy for “Nova Launcher” you’ll find some threads listing a dozen alternatives due to nova’s downfall.
You can if you are in the EU.
Google just says fuck you to everyone else because they get away with anti-competitive practices.
I will be proud of myself for the fact I didn’t notice or know
You can see the non stop complaints in the Google Search Support forums about the issue if you scroll down to that time frame. There is also this massive Reddit thread with complaints
But, strangely, not a complaint was heard.