How To Use Google Search on Samsung Fascinate

If you plan or have already purchased a Samsung Fascinate, then you should know that this smartphone doesn’t come with the usual Google search engine, instead you have to content with Bing search engine.

Owned by Microsoft, Bing is third largest search engine on the web following its competitor Google and Yahoo.  Although, Verizon has declared the availability of Google’s search engine soon on Samsung Fascinate, until then here’s the guide to show you how you can install Google’s search engine on Samsung Fascinate.

The process requires users to download Google’s Enhanced search apk. file from outside the Android Market.

Step 1: Upon downloading the application (apk. file), copy it on your SD card and install it using a file manager.

Step 2: Use a third-party launcher (ADW/Launcher Pro), to add Google Search widget on the home screen and reassign the physical search button.

 Step 3: After rebooting, voice search should work smoothly, when the Search button remains pressed.

Remember, voice search will not work on un-rooted Samsung Fascinate, so it’s essential to root it first.

If you have a rooted Samsung Fascinate, you will need to go to /system/app and rename I500_BingSearchAndroid_07152010.apk to I500_BingSearchAndroid_07152010.old.