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.

  • SanguinePar@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    I wonder if there might be a workaround for that - eg those apps (like Better Open With or Open Link With) that can spot outgoing link requests and make themselves available as a default link opening option, so that the user can then specify a particular action to take or app to open.

    If there was something like that that you could set as your default “search” app in the launcher, but which actually then ran an automation in, say, Macrodroid or whatever to open DDG’s site (with FF picking up as your default launcher) then that might do the job?

    I’m not technical enough to know how feasible that is, but seems like possibility maybe.

    Of course it’d be better if Pixel Launcher just let you specify a link and a browser!

    • sajranOPEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      This is exactly what I thought about too. My knowledge about Android development is pretty limited but I might try to research that later.

      They could literally add a text field allowing you to enter the search URL to be opened in the default browser… But I guess making this feature actually good isn’t really in their interest.

      • SanguinePar@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        Yeah - I’m kind of amazed they’re doing it at all unless they’re being made to maybe, by the EU or whatever.

        Hope you find a solution!

        • sajranOPEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          You’ve hit the nail on the head - they are forced to do it by the EU.

          Thanks!