Google always brings forth mesmerizing changes to the latest Android versions. In a similar story, Google launched the new Android version – Android 10 this year with lots of new features, functions and improved User Interface. These new features always bribe the users using old Android iteration to get the new features including apps, wallpapers, and ringtones.

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Google already rolled out Android 10 on Pixel devices, and several OEMs like OnePlus, Essential and others are rolling out the new update on their respective devices. However, some devices will remain on Android 9 and other versions. The users of these devices can still enjoy some features from Android 10 without rooting the device. They can easily install native Android 10 apps including its launcher, gallery, etc.

The third-party developers on XDA and other communities have ported the Android 10 launcher for various Android devices. We listed below the most popular Android 10 launcher port. Some features may not work properly but the look and feel will surely match the original Android 10 launcher application.

Advantages of Android 10 Launcher (Pixel)

• Dark Mode support
• Notification dots
• Google Feed
• Gestures
• Different Icon shapes
• Swipe Up Drawer

Android 10 Launcher aka Pixel Launcher Q brings the clutter-free and minimal look. The swipe-based launcher also carries some refinements over the Android 9 based launcher. As in the previous versions, the Google Feed tab is just a swipe away from the home screen.

Steps to Install Android 10 Launcher on any Android phone

1. Download the Android 10 Launcher ported APK from here.
2. Before installing, enable Unknown Sources option from the device Settings menu > Security > Additional settings > Privacy.
3. Now, Install Modded Android 10 launcher.
4. Upon installation, make it the default launcher for your device.
5. Enjoy Android 10 Launcher on any Android smartphone.

We hope you have successfully installed the launcher by following the above guide. Some features have snapped due to modding the APK for older Android versions. Moreover, full functionality needs Magisk based root access. The QuickSwitch Magisk Module can be used to port all the features on all old Android versions.

Related: Android 10 custom ROM for select Xiaomi smartphones is now available

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The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will be officially launched next week, October 4. and everyone is eager to see what Google comes up with for its second generation Pixel phones. Fresh details of the HTC-made Pixel 2 has surfaced on the internet which are quite interesting.

The new info about the Google Pixel are more software-related this time, with a little bit of hardware details. Posted on Twitter by @ArtemR, founder of AndroidPolice, the info is said to be from someone who got his hands on a Verizon unit.

The Pixel 2 (and definitely Pixel 2 XL) will come with a redesigned Pixel launcher. The major change being that the search bar is now at the bottom of the screen, sitting just above the navigation buttons. The Google homepage has also been redesigned.

There is also an always-on music recognition feature that displays info of the artist and song playing on your lockscreen. Music lovers will sure appreciate this new addition.

The Pixel 2 will still not join the dual camera train this year but the camera app will come with a portrait mode. This should be different from the lens blur mode already present in the Google camera app.

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Just like the HTC U11, the Pixel 2 will also have squeezable sides that launches Google Assistant. The squeeze intensity will also be user adjustable. Other features mentioned include dual speakers and a flat glass covering the display, not 2.5D. It will also not have an audio jack.

Apart from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL launching next week, Google should also announce the Google Home Mini, the PixelBook, and a new Daydream VR headset.

(Source, Via)

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Google doesn’t make public the number of phones it has sold. The income from sales is usually bundled under other revenues. Notwithstanding, a Play Store data might have given us a rough estimate of the number of Pixel phones sold.

The number of Pixel units sold was gotten from the number of installs from a Play Store app, in this case the Pixel Launcher. The Pixel Launcher is an exclusive app for the Pixel phones, so an install count provides a rough estimate of devices sold.

There is however a clause with installation number count on play Store. The figures are usually listed as milestones like 100,000 – 500,000 and 1,000,000 – 5,000,000. So how do we know the app install count isn’t closer to 5 million rather than 1 million?

That is because it just crossed into that range, plus AppBrain, a third party tracking site still lists the app install counts as 500,000. So even if it has surpassed the 1 million mark, it is probably only by a couple of thousands or ten thousands.

You might also wonder why we are using the Pixel Launcher since it comes by default with the phones. The app install count also includes apps pre-installed with the phone. So when you check the app install count for a “not-so-useful” app on Play Store and you see a very high figure, that app probably comes pre-loaded on a lot of phones. And the count is only once per device irrespective of the number of times you wipe the phone and reinstall or update the app.

READ MORE: Chip Wars: Google Employs Former Apple CPU Architect To Lead Its Processor Department

What does this mean for Google? 1 million units is a pretty low figure. All though there were times the phones were out of stock, a million units in eight months isn’t a number to be proud of.

One factor that may have played a part is the high cost of the Pixel phones. Unlike the Nexus phones that were competitively priced, the Pixel and Pixel XL had price tags similar to flagships from Samsung, HTC, and Sony.

(Source)

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