Google Search Coming to Samsung Fascinate with Android 2.2, but Why Wait When You Can Install it Now?
Last week a bit of a hub bub surfaced around the Samsung Fascinate and its inclusion of Bing over Google as the search widget baked into the device at launch. On top of that, many an Android-purist freaked out when a false rumor began to spread that Verizon would keep Google off of all of its upcoming handsets. Not only did that seem like a ridiculous notion, but it made virtually no sense given the strong collaboration between Google and Motorola on VZW handset launches. Besides, we heard the same story before when people thought Google Maps would be foregone for SkyHook, something that turned out to be totally false.
Still, Bing is the only search option currently available for the Fascinate and the Google widget can’t be installed from the market. Verizon has already debunked the rumor that this would be the case for all upcoming phones, and have since added that the upgrade to Android 2.2 for the Fascinate will once again enable Google Search to be downloaded from the Android Market. Problem solved, at least if you are the type who likes waiting.
If you aren’t the type to wait, then here is a pretty simple way to get Google Search now. You will need to download the Google Search APK outside of the Android Market, install it to your phone, and then use a third-party launcher of your choice (LauncherPro will do the job) to add the widget to your homescreen and reassign your search button. To get Voice search going you will need root, but how is that for sticking it to the man?
[Android Central via Engadget]