Google was supposed to release the first Android 17 beta last week. However, at the very last minute, the company pulled the release before pushing it out about a day later. Now that the beta is here, the folks at 9to5Google have discovered some slight UI tweaks. This comes in the form of the Pixel Launcher, where the search bar has been given a slight makeover as part of Android 17 beta 1.
Pixel Launcher search bar gets a slight design tweak
In the current version of the Pixel Launcher, the search bar has a thick border surrounding it. However, in Android 17 beta 1, Google has given the search bar a little design update where it sports a slightly more translucent look minus the border. If you’re wondering why this looks familiar, it’s because it’s not an entirely brand new design.
As 9to5Google notes, the new search look is based on a design the Google Search app used for its custom widget in Android 15. With this update, Google appears to be unifying its design language. This is quite a different look from before, which featured a Material You-inspired background with an AI Mode shortcut.
This update offers a more muted look, which actually looks pretty decent. However, diving into the settings, Google has removed the “Device” theming option. Instead, users can choose from the System, Light, Dark, or Custom themes. Users can also change the shortcut, so instead of AI Mode, you can swap it to another app or feature you use more frequently.
That being said, note that the change is currently only in the first beta. There’s a good chance Google will make further changes or tweaks in the following updates. But until then, this is a very small taste of what’s to come.
When can we expect Android 17’s release?
Right now, we don’t have a specific date on Android 17’s release yet. However, Google did state on its blog that it is planning to release its latest Android update Q2 2026. Based on last year’s release, we should expect it by the end of June.
This is part of Google’s new launch strategy. In the past, Google would only release major Android updates around Q3. This meant that OEMs didn’t have much time to push out the update for their phones until the end of the year, or sometimes in the following year. Google’s change in strategy is to give OEMs more time. That way, more devices should be able to receive the update within the same year.
Of course, all of this is dependent on how well the development goes. If users find many bugs during the beta phase, Google could potentially push its release. Hopefully that won’t be the case here.
The post Android 17 Beta 1 Restores a Fan-Favorite Pixel Search Bar Design appeared first on Android Headlines.
