Modified Pixel launcher 2.1 brings Android 8.0 Oreo features

Last week, Google officially announced its latest iteration of Android 8.0 Oreo operating system in New York. Now that we’ve finally understood what to call the latest version of Android, developers and enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to try its features. Meanwhile, if you’re waiting to delve deeper into what Android 8.0 Oreo features are all about, a couple of developers have come up with the idea of a modified Pixel launcher, enabling Android Oreo features right into it.

Although Android 8.0 Oreo is now rolling out to select users who opted for beta program on devices such as Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Google Pixel, and Pixel XL, other OEMs will take some time before rolling out the update to their respective handsets.

Google is known for keeping its launchers exclusive to its own set of hardware. If you recall, Google Now launcher was initially exclusive to the Nexus 5. The Google Pixel launcher, on the other hand, is available to download via the Play Store. However, it’s compatible only with Pixel devices. One can download APK of course, but it isn’t of any use since some of its features do not work on non Pixel devices.

Now, a modified Pixel launcher has hit version 2.1, enabling many Android Oreo features. We tried it ourselves, and we’re able to report that the launcher comes with the Google feed (previously called the Google Now pane) in addition to the G pill animation and much more. So, here are some of the features that you can access by installing a modified Google Pixel launcher version 2.1, as follows:

• Pull down for notifications
• Oreo theme backported to older OS versions with Pixel Blue accent colour
• Notification dots backported to Marshmallow
• Automatically prompts for notification access, so you won’t have to dig through settings menus
• Fix Android 8 checks so Nexus devices can use all new features
• Show icon shapes on Android 8 without developer settings enabled
• Pressing the date widget opens the default calendar app
• Keyboard properly closes when returning to the home screen from any app
• Symmetrical hot seat
• Filter Google Now Launcher from the apps list
• Pinch to overview
• Samsung Secure Folder compatibility

Also Read: Top 5 features of Android 8.0 Oreo and why you should upgrade

Android Oreo brings many new and exciting features like picture-in-picture (PIP) with video support, notification dots, AptX HD & Sony LDAC Bluetooth support, Autofill from Chrome, super fast boot time, 60 new emoji, and much more.