Google Pixel roundup: Launcher Search glitch, Android 17 anti-motion sickness features, and stackable Pixel 10 deals

If you’ve picked up your Pixel in the last 48 hours and felt like your muscle memory was betraying you, you aren’t alone. A strange server-side update is wreaking havoc on the Pixel’s search interface, but it’s not all bad news this week. We’re also tracking a massive discount for the Pixel 10 Pro and a genuinely helpful accessibility feature likely coming in Android 17.

Here is what is happening in the Google ecosystem right now.

The Search bar glitch

If you are running the latest stable version of the Google app (version 16.49), tapping the bottom search bar might feel jarringly different. As spotted by 9to5Google, a bug is replacing the elegant Pixel Launcher search experience with the generic Google App device search.

Previously, tapping that bar — or swiping up — triggered a smooth overlay. You saw your wallpaper, five suggested apps, and a “Search web and more” prompt. It felt integrated. It felt native.

Now, users are being thrown into a fullscreen interface that looks identical to the standard Google Search app. It’s abrupt, and frankly, it feels like a regression. I could replicate the same on a Pixel 8 running the latest beta build and the latest version of the Google app — v16.49.61.

Android 17’s Motion Cues

Motion sickness is a major barrier for people who want to use their phones in cars or trains. Apple addressed this with Vehicle Motion Cues in iOS 18, and it looks like Google is preparing a native answer for Android 17.

According to a report by Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority, Google is working on a feature called Motion Cues. It overlays moving dots on your screen that shift in real-time to match the motion of your vehicle. This visual trick helps align what your eyes see with what your inner ear feels, reducing nausea.

While third-party apps like KineStop have offered this since 2018, Google’s implementation is deeper. The current external apps can’t draw over secure system layers like the Quick Settings or the lock screen due to Android’s security model.

Stackable Pixel 10 deals

If you have been waiting to upgrade, the math just got very interesting for Pixel 10 Pro buyers.

Google is currently running a holiday promo taking $250 off the Pixel 10 Pro. However, 9to5Google highlights a new “stackable” offer for Google Play Points members. If you are Gold tier or above, you can redeem points for an additional $200 discount code.

When you combine these, the 128GB Pixel 10 Pro drops to just $549. That is significantly cheaper than the entry-level standard Pixel 10. The deal applies to the Pro XL as well, bringing it down to $699.

What’s next?

We expect the search glitch to be resolved within days given how high-profile the complaint is. As for Motion Cues, we likely won’t see the full system-level implementation until the Android 17 developer previews start dropping next year. Until then, grab that Pro deal if you can — it’s the best price we’ve seen yet.