Google Search 3.1.8 rolling out, brings new launcher to all 4.1+ devices

By +Frank B.
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Grand Master

+Frank B. Subscriber²

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Massive Google Search 3.1.8 Update Rolling Out, Brings Google Experience Launcher To All 4.1+ Devices, New Cards, Completely Fixes GEL On Tablets, And More [APK Download]

 

A huge Google Search update started rolling out earlier today. It is absolutely massive on many levels:

  • It officially brings Search version 3 (3.1.8 to be exact) that shipped in KitKat to all devices running 4.1+. This includes an updated UI, new refresh animation, among other things.
  • Because Search houses the Google Experience Launcher (GEL) inside, this update also brings GEL to all devices running Android 4.1+. All you need to do after installing Search 3.1.8 is install the launcher app from here, and voila - GEL for all, not just KitKat devices. I have it running on 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4 on both phones and tablets, and it finally looks perfect.
  • As I mentioned above, 3.1.8 completely fixes the wonky GEL layout on tablets. As you may have seen yesterday, several things on the Nexus 7, for example, were out of whack - the keyboard was popping when you tapped Home, the icons were old, and the Search box was off-center. All fixed.
  • Remember: GEL does support transparency in the navigation and status bars, but you need KitKat for that to work. And Google disabled it system-wide on the Nexus 10.
  • New cards:
  • Traffic incidents using Waze on maps.
  • Recurring reminders.
  • Real-time scores for rugby teams
  • See when your packages are ready for in-store pickup.
  • You can now bring back dismissed cards by pressing Undo.
  • Update: Full-on conversation mode!

But seriously, did you see that? GEL for all, with the help of one additional APK, now optimized for devices other than just the Nexus 5. This is what we've been waiting for. Of course, Google should also upload the launcher stub that we need to install manually to the Play Store and make it really painless for everyone. I don't see any reason why this won't happen once they verify GEL works fine on as many hardware variations as possible.

 

On that note, where did the individual card settings and toggles go? I can't find them anymore.Update: All card settings and toggles have been reworked into a series of menus and yes/no questions - just tap the wand at the bottom of Search to access them.

 

Download

 

The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.

 

File name: com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-3.1.8.914827.arm.apk.

Version: 3.1.8 (Android 4.1+).

MD5: dea923f514f59ac6d040401bd00d1209.

Once again, if you want GEL to work, install the launcher helper APK from here.

 

Source: Android Police

 

I've installed the Google Search update and the launcher helper on my 2013 Nexus 7 (still running 4.3 - I'm waiting for it to get the 4.4 OTA update). Works like a charm.

  • Max Norris, johnporter29, +Fahim S. and 1 other
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Grand Master

LUTZIFER

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I installed the apk files manually 5 days or so ago, but got this update installed yesterday which made a big difference.

Just loving the new look and features.

About the only things missing for me to have the full KItKat look, are the transparent nav bar, and the phone dialer.

I have the new camera app, new Gallery app, new clock app, and Hangouts with SMS support.

post-8424-0-03295400-1384442638.png

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Shahrad

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Works like a treat on my Nexus 4, Nexus 5 is inbound soon anyway but its a refreshing change, now if KitKat can come already, this would be a triple treat!

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neo1911

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I still haven't got Hangouts 2.0 update. The Play Store app page shows 2.0 but even if I uninstall the 1.2 version and download freshly from Play store, it gets installed as v1.2 again. Not that I miss SMSing from it, wanted to try it out without side loading.

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ichi

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I still haven't got Hangouts 2.0 update. The Play Store app page shows 2.0 but even if I uninstall the 1.2 version and download freshly from Play store, it gets installed as v1.2 again. Not that I miss SMSing from it, wanted to try it out without side loading.

 

Same here, not sure why.

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Astra.Xtreme

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I put Kitkat and the new GEL on my Nexus 7, and it fixed quite a few of the annoyances.

From somebody that's not an Android fan, they did a really nice job on it.

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