[delecti]

I've never heard of a device that wouldn't even let you install a different launcher.

You are aware that your "desktop" is a separate app right? And like your keyboard, you can install replacements. I use this [1] launcher and it lets me turn off that Google search bar.

I don't mean to be condescending, but either you have an incredibly locked down device, more so than I've ever heard of, or you're just understandably unaware of that aspect of Android.

[1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adwfreak.l...

[kibwen]

Thanks for the link! I honestly had no idea that such a thing even existed, and I spent a long time trying to figure out a way to just drag the search bar off the screen like any other widget. Though still sort of a shame that I have to install and trust yet another third-party app just to do such a basic operation (I suppose it's some consolation that Android at least ships with a flashlight app these days).