Google Pixel Launcher rolling out option switch to a different search provider in EU
9to5google.com
Google is rolling out a Pixel Launcher update that delivers the ability to switch the default search provider from Google, but only in the EU

Was very excited about this but turns out I can only use DuckDuckGo app, not DuckDuckGo in Firefox. I’m afraid this feature won’t really be usable for me since I rely on FF add-ons and synchronization.

  • @[email protected]OPEnglish
    7•3 months ago

    I can (and do) use DDG in FF but if I chose DDG as a search provider for the launcher searchbar it opens the app.

    • JackGreenEarthEnglish
      4•3 months ago

      What if you uninstall the ddg app? Its just chromium under the hood anyway

    • @[email protected]
      English
      3•3 months ago

      I had a similar issue where everything would open on chrome. I just uninstalled chrome and now it opens everything on Firefox. Pixel might do things differently though

      • @[email protected]OPEnglish
        3•3 months ago

        This is specifically about the search bar in the Pixel launcher. It’s just how they implemented the feature - it requires the app.

        • @[email protected]
          English
          2•3 months ago

          Ah sorry, have never owned a pixel. So the search bar is not just a widget that you can remove or replace with different widget?

          • AlmightySnoo 🐢🇮🇱🇺🇦MEnglish
            2•3 months ago

            That’s one of the annoying parts of the stock OS (unless you can ignore the search bar), it’s an unremovable part of the default Pixel launcher. To get rid of it you’d have to install a 3rd-party launcher, or just install GrapheneOS 👀

          • @[email protected]OPEnglish
            2•3 months ago

            Yup, it’s part of the home screen and can’t be disabled or replaced. Until today it could only search Google so it’s a big step in the right direction anyway.

            • @[email protected]English
              2•3 months ago

              Well it used to be able to launch the assistant but they removed the only useful function it had.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•3 months ago

      FYI, you can have a shortcut to a new tab in Firefox that pulls up the search bar. And I saw that you use Niagara, so I’ll tell you what I do (with Niagara on Pixel):

      I have a swipe up gesture set on the Niagara button to open a new tab in Firefox. It pulls up a new tab, and I can immediately search from there. And you can change the search provider within Firefox to whatever you want. It’s typically faster than any search from the Google app or the assistant.