Custom launchers offer much more customization options than the stock launchers that ship with your phone. Unfortunately, there are some really enticing features from the stock launcher that most custom launchers do not support. One of those features is the Google Now pane that is accessed by swiping towards the left. The Nova Launcher developer discovered a workaround, resulting in them creating the Nova Google Companion app which allows Nova Launcher to use the Google Now pane.

The application is not available on the Google Play Store as it is set to "debuggable" in its manifest. Once the companion app is installed, Nova Launcher can access the Google Now pane and display it on your home screen. Version 1.1 of the Google Companion app makes the Google Now panel integration compatible with devices running Android as dated as 5.X Lollipop. Aside from adding backward compatibility, the developer behind Nova Launcher managed to fix various bugs to make the integration more stable.

TeslaCoil's discovery may open an entirely new chapter for other custom launchers. Until now, many users decided to stick with default launchers because of the really useful Google Now panel integration. We might soon see similar solutions provided by other large custom launchers like Apex or Action Launcher. Unlike other operating systems, Android offers more customization freedom to its users and this is a perfect example of that freedom in action.

You can download the latest APK from the link below. You must be running Nova Launcher 5.2-beta2 or higher. Once the companion app is installed, you must go to Nova Settings --> Google Now to enable the page.


Get Nova Google Companion

Via: Android Police