Nova Launcher beta just received a fantastic update that adds a bunch of new features that a number of you have likely been hoping would arrive one day. We’re talking about double-tap-to-lock, a gesture option for opening Google Now, options to make the app drawer just like Google’s latest vertical app drawer (with recent apps and persistent search), and more.

The update also attempts to fix the slow Marshmallow notification pulldown, though it does require root. A bunch of bugs have been squashed as well, plus optimized an startup time and fast scrolling in long lists were added.

Here is the full list of changes:

4.2.0-beta1 Dec 2, 2015 -Persistent searchbar in drawer (Settings – Drawer – Searchbar)

-Frequently used apps in drawer (Settings – Drawer – Frequently used)

-Root workaround for Marshmallow slow expand notifications

-Nova Actions for screen lock and Google Now

-Improve handling of double-tap gesture

-New fast scroll in long lists

-Optimize startup time

-Fix widget placeholders after Titanium Backup restore

-Fix persistent search bar moving downward over time

-Fix FCs

Play Link

To get into the Nova Launcher beta, join the Google+ community here and opt-in.

Cheers Jeff!