Android 12 now has a device search API that can be used for third-party launchers

Google released the second preview version of Android 12 developers for one month, and it gave us some hints that Google might add some features to the final version. Among these functions, is there a new search widget for Pixel Launcher? The search function will allow users to search for apps and contacts, settings, etc. on the device.

It seems that this feature will not be limited to Android 12 on Pixel phones, because we have some evidence that this feature may extend to third-party launchers. Android 12 will make searching for content on mobile phones easier.

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The developers of the Niagara launcher managed to find new evidence in the Android 12 preview documentation. The document indicates that Google will add a new device search API in Android 12, this API will allow third-party launchers to have a common search function. This feature will allow third-party startup programs to “access the centralized AppSearch index maintained by the system.”

As mentioned in the document, the AppSearch index is a search library used to maintain structured data. Its characteristics are as follows:

• Completely offline stand-alone solution
• A set of APIs for application programs to index and retrieve documents through full-text search.
• Provide APIs for applications so that the system can display content on the surface of the system UI.
• Similarly, the application’s API allows the system to share its content with other designated applications.

This feature will allow users to no longer use any third-party applications to complete their work and will be able to search for almost anything on the device directly from the search bar. Currently, there is no information about the implementation of this feature, but as the next Android 12 developer preview version begins to be launched, more details can be expected.

Similar functions can be used in various third-party applications, but it is much better to have this function directly built into the Android 12 system because it will increase the basic functions of each device running the operating system version.

(Via)