Google Search App Stopped Working For A Few Hours Last Night
www.seroundtable.com
The Google Search App stopped working last night (Saturday night) for a few hours. Google was quick to fix it in the middle of the night but by then, hundreds, if not, thousands of complaints flooded the support forums and social media.
    • snowsuit2654@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      205·
      2 months ago

      This is the integrated search on the home screen of my android (pixel). For a lot of mobile phone users, it’s the fastest way to search something. I can just Google search directly from the home screen instead of opening up a browser.

      • trollblox_@programming.devEnglish
        102·
        2 months ago

        yeah, but I really wish I could change the browser/search engine it uses. pretty fucked up that I can’t. literally the only reason I use Google search/chrome is the convenience of that search bar (which I know is the reason I can’t change it)

        • helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          2 months ago

          You can change it on other launchers.

          Personally I like neolauncher.

          https://github.com/NeoApplications/Neo-Launcher The search bar can be set to immediately directly open Firefox search, or you can pick form a list of various engines.

          There’s a dozen other launchers to try. Lawnchair is a more popular choice, probably better for someone switching from pixel default. There’s a few very specific features it’s missing for me.

          If you search Lemmy for “Nova Launcher” you’ll find some threads listing a dozen alternatives due to nova’s downfall.

            • helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.worldEnglish
              3·
              2 months ago

              I’m not aware of major downsides to using a different luncher.

              The biggest incovience is initial setup and putting your home screen apps back where they belong.

              Spend a few hours to escape to some of google bloat and set your search bar to use Firefox (which has ublock support).

        • douglasg14b@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          2 months ago

          You can if you are in the EU.

          Google just says fuck you to everyone else because they get away with anti-competitive practices.

        • FrostKing@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          2 months ago

          You might check out the Lawnchair launcher, that aims to replicate the Pixel launcher, but FOSS and more cuatomizable. You can set the search app up with any browser on that.

    • douglasg14b@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      2 months ago

      For a huge number of phones it’s a requirement because Google and Android do not allow you to customize or change this aspect of the device.

      Unless you’re in the European Union in which you get the right to.

      Fuck Google.

    • Resol van Lemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I still rely on it for the Google Assistant, possibly the only Google related thing I still use that isn’t YouTube.

      And no, I’m not switching to Gemini.

  • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
    7·
    2 months ago

    You can see the non stop complaints in the Google Search Support forums about the issue if you scroll down to that time frame. There is also this massive Reddit thread with complaints

    But, strangely, not a complaint was heard.

  • Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    7·
    2 months ago

    I haven’t gotten it to work properly for years. Keeps trying to sell me shit. If I want ads blasted in face I’ll go to the gas station thank you very much.

  • douglasg14b@lemmy.worldEnglish
    128·
    2 months ago

    If only we had a choice to… You know… Not use the stupid thing

    Unfortunately that right is only reserved for EU Citizens.

    Google needs to be broken up.

    • finestnothing@lemmy.worldEnglish
      9·
      2 months ago

      What are you even talking about not having a choice? I agree Google is awful, but even on pixel phones you can change most aspects of it - definitely including your browser/search app and engine. Just switch to Firefox and/or use duckduckgo, or any of the other browsers and search engines that are readily available. I haven’t used chrome in years, but if you’re a chromebro I’m pretty sure it supports changing the search engine too.
      If your launcher doesn’t support changing your search engine/app in a built-in search bar, throw a different browser widget up on your home screen or get a new launcher with a better app/web search widget, unless you got your phone from work or something with restrictions in place you can easily swap out your launcher for a 3rd party one. I personally use Niagara launcher and like it a lot, if you want a more traditional launcher there’s KISS (It’s also foss), and launchair

  • BilboBargains@lemmy.worldEnglish
    25·
    2 months ago

    Google search is still pretty good although definitely not what it was in its ad-free heyday. That you would go to the trouble of complaining about it is incomprehensible, given the plethora of credible alternatives.

  • Engywuck@lemm.eeEnglish
    27·
    2 months ago

    Shit! What a pity not using Google Search App (nor Google altogether). I’ve not been part of this historical moment. /s