Get the Google Pixel and Pixel XL wallpapers + backgrounds app here

As the launch of Google's re-branded Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones inches closer and closer, Android fans are becoming ever more eager to get their hands on some of the new features to be introduced with the devices. The recently leaked Pixel Launcher offered quite a pleasant first-party taster for what's to come, while Nova Launcher implemented many new Pixel-style features in its latest beta update, which will surely hit the spot for many, but what about the new wallpapers? You know how things are with new backgrounds – gotta get them all, gotta get them now. We've been there, we fully understand.

Things will be a bit different this time around, however, as Pixel Launcher has its own built-in wallpaper app featuring what looks like a curated online gallery of backgrounds, instead of the usual handful of images. The app is divided into five categories — Earth, Landscape, Cityscape, Life, and Textures — each of which has a “Daily Wallpaper” option.

After selecting a wallpaper, you can see more info about it, such as where the picture was taken and by whom. Respectively, if you go for one of the stunning satellite images by Google, you can tap the “Explore” button to open the location in Google Maps and take a better look at it for yourself. Likewise, if you opt for a photo, you will be able to browse other works by its author on image sharing platform 500px.

Although there are not that many wallpapers available right now, the collection is finely curated and will have most likely grown quite a bit in time for the launch of Google Pixel and Pixel XL. To take advantage of the new app, you need to have Pixel Launcher installed on your device. It is accessible by long-pressing on the home screen and selecting “Wallpapers”. The app itself, however, is currently not stand-alone and can be used only in conjunction with Pixel Launcher.

Having said that, since you might not want to stick with Pixel Launcher at this point, which would make it inconvenient to change wallpapers, we've decided to include some of the many cool backgrounds in this post. Enjoy!