Similar to many other popular Android launchers, the Pixel Launcher includes a universal search function that can search through your phone’s settings, apps, contacts, and online for results, all in one convenient place. The recently-released Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3 has a new version of the launcher and an interesting hidden settings menu called “Search Engine”. Its description is clear and straightforward – “Select the app you’ll use to search the web. This will affect search and content on your home screen.”
Although it is currently speculative, it appears that Pixel devices might soon have the ability to change the system-level search engine from Google to something else like Bing or DuckDuckGo. The information has been shared on Twitter by @Nail_Sadykov, a well-known tipster in the industry, and the thread also reveals some other interesting related discoveries regarding the Chrome browser. Users have found similar “Search engine choice” flags in the browser and accompanying text that suggests these flags would affect the “first run” experience, offering the user a choice of search engine.
Of course, this raises a number of potential speculations, but it’s worth noting that Google is currently embroiled in a major antitrust case and has been sued by the US Justice Department and attorneys general of eight states. The case alleges that Google holds a monopoly on the search engine market and locks down almost every avenue through which consumers might find a different search engine, potentially indicating antitrust behavior. Given that the search giant is paying $10bn a year to Apple to keep Google as the default in iOS, it is understandable that concerns have been raised.
We believe that this new move by Google could be related to the growing legal pressure it is facing. Additionally, we have to consider if this is the last avenue of attack for Google’s alleged “monopoly,” especially considering the ongoing battle for the Play Store.
