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Android App Reviews by codesplice

Hello, all.
I've got a confession to make: I like apps. A lot. To an unhealthy degree. I've got a huge stash of apps on my phone, and an even larger collection of .apk backups waiting to be reloaded whenever I feel like it. I love finding new apps to try out, and deciding which ones are worthy to be added to my collection. A lot of the apps that I find and want to try out are paid apps; without finding many thorough reviews on them, I don't know whether they are worth my money - but I can't stand the thought of missing out on the Next Big Thing. And so I buy them, download them, install them, and test them out anyway. If it's an awesome app and well-worth the money, I tell my friends. If it is money that could be better spent on another app that I've tried before, I tell my friends that, too.
Unfortunately, not all of my friends are interested in my opinion on apps. They only listen to me because of my rugged good looks (my theory). This makes me sad, because I spend a lot of time (and money, in some cases) trying apps out - someone else needs to benefit from that time (and money) as well. Until someone decides to pay/reimburse me for all the apps that I evaluate, the next-best thing I can do is offer up reviews to the community of any apps that I have found particularly useful. This is the driving force behind my desire to make this thread.
I will be running down my list of currently-installed useful applications and entertaining games. I will include screen shots, AppBrain links, and as much detail as I can muster up. My hope is that the rest of the community may find some benefit from these reviews - and who knows, maybe you'll find a kick-ass app you'd never heard of.
I'm open to questions, ideas, requests, suggestions, and pretty much any other type of communication or input that could be provided. I only ask that you be respectful - both of me, and of the app developers. And if this list helps you find a neat paid app to try out, please do support the developer(s). Piracy is bad, mmmmkay?
Enjoy!
-codesplice
Credit where credit is due: All screenshots are made using the free ShootMe app.
NOTE: Now that the Android Market has a shnazzy new web interface, I'm going to change the primary links for apps to reflect this. I will add the AppBrain links as a secondary, and hope to add direct market links at some point once I find a site to reliably provide this information. Stay tuned!
Reviews:
Minimalistic Text (Widget)
Clutch Pad(Multitasking App) UPDATED 2/24/11
CircleLauncher (Widget)
Swipe Pad (Multitasking App)
Keyboard Manager (App) UPDATED 2/23/11
Shift Puzzle Game (Game)
ElecroDroid (App)
Hella Umbrella (Game)
Digital Wall (LWP)
Shortyz Crosswords (App)
Elixir (System Info App)
Google Authenticator (App)
Zeam (Launcher)
Lookout / WaveSecure (Mobile Security App double-feature)
If you don't want to subscribe to this thread, you can follow me on that twitting thing, as I will post updates about new reviews there.

Minimalistic Text (widget)
App Name: Minimalistic Text (v.2.1.3, @AppBrain)
Developer: Devmil
Price: FREE
There is quite a handful of text-based widgets available on the Market, and a lot of them are very nice. There are widgets for displaying the time as text, the weather as text, the battery level as text.... but this is one widget that does it all. Just about every aspect of the widget is configurable, from the text alignment and rotation to the font size and colors to even the format for different types of data. You've got several options for the display type, whether you want to use digits or words or even a bar (for days of the week or percentage of battery charge). There is also an optional "blur" text effect which works wonderfully for making accented text appear to be illuminated. To top things off, this widget also functions as a plugin for Locale or Tasker and can be used to display variables from either of those applications. For instance, if you want a small text-widget to display what Locale/Tasker profiles are currently active, this is your answer for a very configurable solution.
For each widget you are also able to define an action to perform when tapped - whether it is launching another activity (my clock widget launches my alarm clock), opening the widget preferences page, or even reading out the text currently displayed on the widget. You are also able to save and restore your widget settings, so don't be afraid to experiment.
Given the sheer amount of customizations available to you with this widget app, the configuration menu may be a little bit overwhelming and complex when you first get into it. Play around for a few minutes, and you're bound to get the hang of it.
This is a fabulous widget, and one that I highly recommend to anyone who will take the time to tinker with it.
Verdict: A highly-configurable text-based widget to display pretty much anything you want, especially with Tasker integration.
Screenshots:
1) Widget(s) in action. I should note there are three separate widgets displayed: Time / weather up top, day / date on the bottom, and a battery level bar on the right-hand side.
2) Preferences Manager for all widgets
3) Text Style menu
4-5) Custom Layout configurator
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

Clutch Pad[APP]
App Name: Clutch Pad (v.1.3v.1.4.2, @AppBrain)
Developer: stevealbright
Price: $0.99 $1.99
Clutch is an application that seeks to optimize and streamline the way you multitask on Android. It is currently in beta status, but is very functional in its current state. It is a powerful supplement to the built-in Recent Apps feature.
Clutch manifests itself as a small semi-transparent "trigger" area, which functions similar to "hot corners" on a Mac (I think. I'm a Linux/PC guy). This small region rides at the very top layer of the Android interface (in a user-configurable position) and is accessible no matter what application you may be working in. You can tap this region to instantly bring up a small grid displaying your recently-accessed applications. You can customize how many apps you want to be visible, configure the application to ignore your Home (Launcher) app in its list, and to visually distinguish currently-running applications from terminated apps. This makes it very easy to quickly determine if that app you just exited is still running or if it has been shut down as it should, as well as providing a quick (and lightweight) task switcher.
Nice, but nothing terribly fantastic. Yet. Clutch also has configurable swipe gestures - the most useful (to me) of which is a Last Task functionality. For instance, if I Swipe Up from the Clutch region, I instantly switch to whatever my previous app was. If I swipe again, I am moved back to the app I just switched from. This functions similarly to just pressing ALT+TAB quickly, and is very useful for quickly jumping between two apps.
This little utility is quick and lightweight, and I have found it to be extremely useful. It is still in development, and has many more features planned (and a price increase to accompany them - so get it quickly!) including support for additional gestures (open/close notifications, for example), on-click task control (press-and-hold to kill, for example), and configurable transition animations.
If you've got a dollar to spend, you would do well to add this application to your device in its current state, and I can only imagine the app's versatility and usefulness will increase with the further planned updates.
Update (2/24/11): Clutch Pad has recently been updated to version 1.4. With this update, the application has dropped the "Beta" tag, gained an additional "Pad" in its name, and has added additional features and configurable options. At the same time, the price has also been increased to $1.99. New features include additional swipe gestures, configurable transition animations (that are quite pretty), the option to toggle the trigger button via a press-and-hold on the Search hardware key, and a Favorites option to quickly launch your favorite apps. Options have also been added for additional visual tweaks and adjustments of both the trigger icon and the popup lists, and all known bugs have been fixed. With each incremental update, this app gets more and more useful and I find myself relying upon it more all the time. Even at the increased price, this is still one of my must-have applications.
Verdict: An innovative way to access recent apps, and the Last App gesture functionality is every bit as useful as Alt-Tabbing between apps on your desktop.
Screenshots:
1) Trigger icon
2) Recent apps list
3-5) Settings pages
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

CircleLauncher (widget)
App Name: CircleLauncher (v.1.5.2, @AppBrain)
Developer: db-ware
Price: ~$1.37 (free, limited version here or @AppBrain)
As mentioned previously, I have a lot of apps. One of the problem with having a lot of apps is running out of room on your homescreens for app shortcuts. There are various widgets out there that propose a variety of solutions to this problem, but they often leave you with tiny, almost unusable icons. This would have been fine in the days where the trackball reigned supreme, but this is the oh-tens. It has to be finger-friendly.
One true solution that I stumbled across the other day is called CircleLauncher. What it does is really very simple, but it does it very well. It allows you to create a single widget to group similar applications together (I've used location-themed apps and clock-based apps in my example). Tape the 1x1 widget, and a lightweight menu appears to launch your apps. Pretty standard, but this menu is laid out (by default - you can change this in the settings) in a ring around the icon. As you slide your finger or thumb around the ring, the currently selected application icon grows to make selection a bit easier.
Note that CircleLauncher includes other layout types (configurable from the widget's config menu, which you access by selecting the widget and then press-and-holding the center) including horizontal and vertical lines. I was also very pleased with the way that the widget's application menu adapts to its position on the screen - stick it in a corner, and your full selection of apps will be displayed within a 90-degree pie slice.
Obviously, a menu such as this is a bit limited to a relatively low number of apps (more than 9 or 10 and the ring will be just too cluttered to be functional), but if you need to have quick access to just a few more apps from your homescreen, this should do the trick. Since there is a free version available, why not give it a shot and see if this widget can help you to organize your home screen a bit?
Verdict: An easy way to combine several app shortcuts into one.
Screenshots:
1) Plain widgets (labeled GPS and Time) - you can dress them up a bit more if you are artistically inclined.
2) One widget opened showing the full selection ring.
3) The corner widget open showing the adaptation to the position.
4) One icon expanded while my finger hovers over it.
5) Settings menu
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

Keep going mate

gruzman said:
Keep going mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I surely intend to! Just have to figure out which app to post next
Thanks for the encouragement though. It is appreciated to know at least someone is reading over all this mess!

SwipePad Beta [APP]
App Name: SwipePad Beta (v.0.7.5, @AppBrain)
Developer: Conduction.mobi
Price: FREE
Keeping on the theme of "apps to help you access your apps", we come to SwipePad Beta. Similar in some regard to Clutch, this app also gives you "hot corner" functionality. Use the settings menu to establish what corners (or regions) you want to be active, and then slide your finger from a specified region to the center of the screen. Hold it for just a moment, and a 3x4 grid of application shortcuts magically appears. You can, of course, fully customize what applications should appear on this grid by simply pressing your finger on an empty square or by holding your finger over an existing icon until it is highlighted. The hot corners/region and swipe gesture should work pretty much any time that the screen is unlocked, and is a great way of quickly launching a new app without returning to your home screen.
The application offers to integrate task managing application by the same developer (which is a paid app) that I haven't tried out yet. Personally, I've got plenty of other ways of killing apps at this point - particularly once the function gets built into Clutch.
SwipePad is very nicely polished and quite responsive. It does what it does quite well. My only issue with it is that I just don't use it very frequently. I almost forget that it is there; I must be thoroughly conditioned to launching apps from the home screen. It's free, though, so give it a whirl and see if it can further help to optimize the way you launch apps from within other apps
Verdict: Clever use of hot-corners to gain quick access to up to 12 user-defined apps; non-intrusive to the point that you might forget to use it.
Screenshots:
1) SwipePad in action. Note that putting a link to SwipePad on your SwipePad gives you a quick way to access the settings screens.
2) SwipePad settings, with the hot corners highlighted in red at the bottom.
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

is there a video demonstrating the use of Clutch? I want to watch it before paying for it.

Deff fav'ing this. Am looking forward to all reviews
(*is thinking about getting clutch)
Epic is as Epic does

Nice! Thanks bro!

waichung said:
is there a video demonstrating the use of Clutch? I want to watch it before paying for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine there should be a video somewhere on the youtubes. Let me know if you find one and I will add it to the post. I'm about to go into work so it will be another 12 hours before I have access to the full internet, but I will look then if you haven't found anything.

Very good! Thanks

Keyboard Manager [APP]
App Name: Keyboard Manager (v.1.1) Keyboard Manager (v.1.4)
Developer: ne0fhyk
Price: FREE $1.99
NOTE: This app requires root!!
It took me quite a while, but I finally weened myself away from requiring a physical keyboard on a mobile device when I got my NexusOne. With the multitude and variety of available software keyboards available for Android, I haven't really missed the physical keys. The only annoyance at this point is that I find keyboards that work great for one-handed operation in portrait orientation, like Swype or 8pen (if you're in the mood for adventure and don't really care how long it takes to get a message completed ), but are next-to-worthless for dual-thumb landscape input. With a physical keyboard, you'd just slide that bad boy out and away you go. For those of us with only a touchscreen and maybe a few additional buttons, it can be a bit of a chore to manually change the selected input method each time we rotate the device. If only there was a way for the device to read my mind and select the appropriate keyboard.....
As luck would have it, XDA member ne0fhyk has provided us with a solution to this difficulty, in the form of his Keyboard Manager application. Simply select what keyboard you want to use in each orientation (I use Swype for portrait and SwiftKey for landscape), and the app will handle the tedious business of choosing the appropriate input method. It's that easy, and it works.
Mostly. The app is a bit of a hacked solution, and requires root permissions to be able to get around the Android security feature which prevents applications from changing the input method. Installation is not always straight-forward (instructions are available in the first post of the application thread, and it may cause a few software keyboards to force-close if you change orientation while the keyboard is displayed. The current version (1.1) has come a long way from the previous releases in terms of usability, stability, and reliability, and I haven't had any major issues with it. I highly recommend that you give this application a shot and see if it will help you out with your input needs.
Update (2/23/11): Keyboard Manager is no longer available for free, but is now installable from the Android Market. The now-current 1.4 version has fixed most of the install issues and should be a very easy set-up for you. If you run into any issues with the purchased version, please contact the developer - he helped me solve issues specific to my device, and the application works like a charm now.
Verdict: A functional hack to auto-select the appropriate software keyboard based on device orientation.
Screenshots:
1) The optional persistent notification icon. Activating the notification will give you quick access to the Keyboard Manager settings page, and I recommend you leave it enabled until you get things set up the way you want. After that, disable the persistent notification at your own risk (the persistent notification keeps the process in the foreground and prevents Android from terminating it).
2) Settings screen
3) Selecting which keyboard to use
4) Demonstrating that the app has automatically selected Swype for portrait...
5) .... and SwiftKey for landscape.
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

Shift Puzzle Game [GAME]
App Name: Shift Puzzle Game (v.1.2, @AppBrain)
Developer: Handmark
Price: $1.99 (Free ad-supported version here or @AppBrain let's you try out 15 levels; full version features 40 additional levels and no ads)
The Shift Puzzle Game is a tasty Android port of the ever-popular SHIFT game by Armor Games, which you can play free in your Flash-enabled browser at the Armor Games website. If you're not familiar with the original (as I wasn't until I found this app just an hour ago), then let me fill you in on the skinny.
Shift is a new take on the classic adventure-puzzle platformer game. Your mission is to get from point A to point B, dodging whatever nasty traps and obstacles may be in your path. The twist is the ability for you to literally shift the game universe upside down. White becomes black, up becomes down, and you find yourself walking on the flip side of the surface you were just standing on. You can (and will) use this clever maneuver repeatedly in order to successfully navigate each challenging level. Not quite tracking? It can be rather tough to explain... Hopefully the screenshots below will help clear it up (or go play the flash version for free here).
This implementation for a touchscreen device is phenomenal. The controls are large and appear on either side of the landscape display - and you don't even need multitouch. Just tap the left arrow to move left, the left-up diagonal to jump left, and the SHIFT button at the top to do that groovy shift thing. The gameplay is engaging, and the levels can be quite challenging (and quite addictive). The game is worth trying out (the free version) solely for experiencing the joy that is puzzle-solving by twisting the fabric of the universe, and you might just get hooked enough to purchase the full version. It would be two bucks well spent.
Verdict: Quickly becoming my latest Android gaming addiction.
Screenshots:
1) Main menu
2) First level
3) First level - SHIFTED!
4) It gets twisted!
(tested on NexusOne / Kang-o-rama 1.2 T1 (CM7.n13 / GRH78C / Android 2.3.2))

This is a little off topic but is anyone attempting a Tor app?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

jinsfch said:
This is a little off topic but is anyone attempting a Tor app?
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just slightly off topic, but no worries.
A quick search on AppBrain found Orbot: Tor On Android. Impressive, since Android still doesn't have proper proxy support on its own...

Can't find clutch video on youtube...
Btw,i think swipepad is better than it as swyping from the bottom is easier than from the right
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

waichung said:
Can't find clutch video on youtube...
Btw,i think swipepad is better than it as swyping from the bottom is easier than from the right
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked for Clutch videos as well and was disappointed to see that there aren't any. I may try to shoot a video once I get home from the desert in a few weeks (hopefully).
You can change the position of the Clutch region to really any spot on the screen. And I don't really see the two as competing anyway as they have entirely different purposes: Clutch gives you quick access to your recently-executed apps, while SwipePad offers a fixed menu of apps for you to launch.

codesplice said:
I looked for Clutch videos as well and was disappointed to see that there aren't any. I may try to shoot a video once I get home from the desert in a few weeks (hopefully).
You can change the position of the Clutch region to really any spot on the screen. And I don't really see the two as competing anyway as they have entirely different purposes: Clutch gives you quick access to your recently-executed apps, while SwipePad offers a fixed menu of apps for you to launch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The likely alt-tab function of clutch is really fantastic but does it show the recently-executed apps or the running apps? I use swipepad together with the virtual task switcher which allows switching among the running tasks. These 2 apps are completely free and no need to paid $1 for the "swipepad: tasks". But I prefer quick accessing recent tasks to showing those apps running at the background.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

waichung said:
The likely alt-tab function of clutch is really fantastic but does it show the recently-executed apps or the running apps? I use swipepad together with the virtual task switcher which allows switching among the running tasks. These 2 apps are completely free and no need to paid $1 for the "swipepad: tasks". But I prefer quick accessing recent tasks to showing those apps running at the background.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The set {recently-executed} apps includes the subset {running apps}. The default behavior of Android is to show all recently-executed apps under the Recent Apps functionality, regardless of whether those apps are still running or have been terminated. I thought that Visual Task Switcher behaved the same way, but based on the application page it does appear to only display currently-running apps. Personally, I prefer to see recent apps (with a visual distinction between those that are still running and those that have been terminated), as I often end up re-launching the same app over and over; of course, you could also just pin a shortcut to those frequent apps to SwipePad. We all operate our devices in different ways, so either option is of course valid.
Visual Task Switcher (at least the last time that I used it) tended to make my phone lag significantly for whatever reason; I did use it for quite some time though, and was pleased with its functionality as a complete Recent Apps replacement (after configuring the long-press home trigger to launch it via CyanogenMod settings). Also note that the free version includes ads (which may contribute to the lag I was experiencing?) while the full version will set you back $1.99.

Claystone 1.0 Release (no more beta) New Android home screen replacement and launcher

** Claystone Launcher- A quick update and we just launched our first theme pack **
- A lot has been happened over the last month with Claystone Launcher
- We have now had over 14,000 downloads combined from the following App Stores:
Android Market
Android Freeware Market
Handango / Appia
SlideMe
MobiHand
GetJar
Handster
Aproov
** Themes **
- We just launched our first theme called BlueBerry and added skinning to the features
- We designed and launched a solid business user theme with a clear, crisp interface and colour scheme
- Our goal is to release many themes over the next few months (catching up wit the other launchers)
- Search Android Market fore the keyword "claystone" to install and see all the latest.
** New Features ***
- Besides themes we added sharing functionality and more customization and preferences (a big request from our users)
- Performance and memory management was tweaked and enhanced over a challenging 5 week period of intensive testing, retesting, and responding to user feedback and suggestions
- Launching a new home screen replacement has really been challenging because there are so many solid options already available
- Claystone works on more devices and adjust performance settings to match the hardware capabilities
- Performance can also be adjusted through Preferences if you want to tinker with speed and performance
** We Debuted Claystone on XDA Forums and your feedback is welcomed **
- We welcome your comments, feedback, suggestions and requests for additional Claystone themes.
- Inside the App you can conveniently "Share Claystone" item on the options menu to share Claystone with your friends.
- You can also conveniently rate Claystone and send the Claystone Team a feedback email from Claystone preferences
*** Thanks ***
- I thought I would take some time to reconnect with the XDA forum community and say thank you for all your support and feedback over the last two months.
- I have uploaded some of the latest screen shots and the current APK if you would like to see all the latest changes.
### Minimum Requirements
- Android smart phone or tablet
- Android 2.1 and higher
- OpenGL 1.1 and higher
- Normal screen size or higher
- Medium screen density (160 mdpi) or higher
Claystone Is Now Available in the following App Stores:
- Android Market
- Amazon Android App Store (soon)
- Android Freeware Market
- SlideMe App Store
- Handango App Store (Appia)
- GetJAR App Store
- Search for the keyword "Claystone" to install Claystone from Android Market
- To get the latest version use Android Market updates

Sound amazing and would live to help you test it, but where's the link?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Sounds sweet
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

Initial impression is that its very confussing and difficult to use... it took me a while to work out what I was looking at. Don't get the widget folder as it negates what a widget is. I do like the potential concept, but this really needs a lot more thought into user experience.
To start with look at changing the folder controls to make them easier to select.
This is a very original approach and I'll going to watch this one with interest...
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

Often only shows black screen on HTC legend.
The dock icons are too big and there is hardly any customization possible.
But it is a really interesting idea and different from other launcher. I'll stay tuned.
Sent from my HTC Legend

Widget Question
pantera70 said:
Initial impression is that its very confussing and difficult to use... it took me a while to work out what I was looking at. Don't get the widget folder as it negates what a widget is. I do like the potential concept, but this really needs a lot more thought into user experience.
To start with look at changing the folder controls to make them easier to select.
This is a very original approach and I'll going to watch this one with interest...
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We would really appreciate any more detail you can provide about Widgets. We are tweaking the UI throughout the beta program and any additional ideas or recommendations would be really helpful.
Kevin

Can someone post screen shots?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

claystoneinc said:
We would really appreciate any more detail you can provide about Widgets. We are tweaking the UI throughout the beta program and any additional ideas or recommendations would be really helpful.
Kevin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless I'm missing something the only place to add widgets is in the folder at the top of the screen. This limited the use of widgets... for example if I add a 2x2 clock thats all I can see and use unless I expand the folder. This is compounded by the difficulty in using the folder controls. Widgets are supposed to provide quick and easy access and viewing of apps and info you use most, currently this is lost in Claystone... If you could make widget use a little more traditional it would go a long way...
Like I said previously though the whole user experience would be vastly improved if you added larger controls to the folders making it quick and easy to expand/close etc.
Like ms_green says the dock is a little large and it makes the screen feel a little cramped.

A very short review, sorry for being blunt:
* On my Droid Incredible: great, now applications are even smaller/hard to read. UI is not very responsive. Toolbar buttons are too small but making them any bigger would mean even less real estate.
* Tablet: Ooooh now you're talking! The layout makes much more sense, especially in landscape mode. This is actually getting closer to WebOs' take on multitasked UI.
I think this app has a great future on tablets.

Ima dl right now
Sent from my SPH-D700-EPIC-using Tapatalk

Can someone post screenshots? Thanks

This is great!!! VERY GOOD!!! the concept is amazing
things u might want to improve:
The loading speed of panels are slow. Even opening the appdrawer takes no less than 3 seconds, not to mention browser etc
When u scroll vertically but a bit sideways on a panel it just pops u into another panel, very excruciating
Panels. seriously, all u can have is a home panel and a widget panel? i want to make my own (not just folders) for example media, games etc
"items" u can add. to be honest all there is is file explorer, browser and youtube (not to mention the youtube one really sucks). U need more of these "items", but i understand this is a beta
lol no offense

I could see this possibly having potential on a bigger screen, like a tablet maybe. But as it stands things feel too cramped on my 3.7 inch screen. Also things are a bit slow atm.

It's an interesting concept, but implemented in a moderately confusing fashion. The widget box resizes widgets oddly, making things look bulky, etc.
Great idea, though.

Opening the inbuilt contacts force closes the app for me.
But apart from that, a brilliant concept! I can't wait for new additions! Great job

Misleadingg said:
This is great!!! VERY GOOD!!! the concept is amazing
things u might want to improve:
The loading speed of panels are slow. Even opening the appdrawer takes no less than 3 seconds, not to mention browser etc
When u scroll vertically but a bit sideways on a panel it just pops u into another panel, very excruciating
Panels. seriously, all u can have is a home panel and a widget panel? i want to make my own (not just folders) for example media, games etc
"items" u can add. to be honest all there is is file explorer, browser and youtube (not to mention the youtube one really sucks). U need more of these "items", but i understand this is a beta
lol no offense
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the great feedback!
You can create more panels ("folders") as well, you can copy and paste any item in any panel. In our next drop we are going to make it simple by adding applications to the "create" menu.

Meltus said:
Opening the inbuilt contacts force closes the app for me.
But apart from that, a brilliant concept! I can't wait for new additions! Great job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you mind telling us what phone/version you are using? We'll look into it. Thanks.

downloaded and will try it out on my Viewsonic G Tablet when I get home tonight

I'm a visual person. Anyone got screenshots?

Nothing to see here...

[APP][4.1+] SwiftOpen - Fast Launcher BETA [v0.9.3]

INTRODUCING SwiftOpen​
To speed lovers: this is the app you thought didn't exist but always wanted.
SwiftOpen is a launcher (not a home launcher) that allows you to launch apps, shortcuts, contacts, calls... very, very fast.
Not only is it fast at launching whatever you want, but its interface also allows you to choose it quickly, without even looking at the phone. And this applies to as many shortcuts as you wish.
It is also lightweight and battery friendly!
Awesome video by Android Hackz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2edSlOMECU
Video "Life is Short":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj2gGZFzD5I
Appearing on XDA-TV:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/3-unique-launchers-xdatv/
TRANSLATIONS:
I can provide native translations for Spanish and Catalan. If anyone wanted to contribute translating the app to any other language it would be very helpful. If so, please pm me or send me an email. Thanks!
Features:
Very fast launching
App launching
System toggles such as torch, wifi, autorotate...
Did I say fast?
Shortcut launching
Recent apps and calls
Guided setup
Folders that allow even more shortcuts
Multiple detectors
Multiple actions per detector
Custom icons for folders
Icon pack support
Alt-tab to switch to the previous app
Tablet (and phablet) mode
Intuitive settings
Battery friendly
Plenty of customization
I have already incorporated many features suggested by xda members. Any suggestion is welcome, and if I have time and I find it appropriate, I'll add it!
LAUNCHING IN PREVIOUS STATE:
Since v0.8.3 SwiftOpen launches apps in their previous state instead of restarting. Some apps behave different than expected, and need to be treated in a different manner so that they are resumed instead of restarted (like Whatsapp and gReader). I have a white list of these apps, so if you find an app that is restarted tell me and I'll try to verify that they'll be resumed if treated differently, to add them to the whitelist.
SOME PHONES:
The app does not work on some Huawei phones because of the rom -apps with floating windows don't work there. At least with those that I've tested. If someone has a Huawei phone with stock rom and it works, please tell me.
It does not work with some Xiaomi Redmi either. If someone has a Xiaomi phone and finds that the app works with the stock rom, please also tell me.
It is not because of the code in the app, but the rom those phones have...
VERSIONS:
v0.4 and v0.5 have not been optimized for Lollipop.
From v0.5.1 and up it is optimized for Lollipop.
In v0.6 the signature and the package name have changed (among other stuff) which means you'll have to configure it again, as it won't install on the previous version but in parallel. I'm sorry about this. The apk is also larger, because of the icons and all the changes in the project structure; it'll improve in next versions, I hope.
0.6.2 uses more ram than it should, and there are a few other issues.
ANDROID ISSUES:
If you go to the home launcher and then launch an app, it won't be launched until about 5 seconds after going home. It's how Google wants it to be, and I'll try a workaround in the future but I'm not sure if it'll work. Nevertheless, the point of this app is not needing to go to the home launcher
BETA:
This app is currently in beta. All your feedback will be more than welcome.
And you can also suggest new features...
If the app crashes it asks you to send me an email, with the Logs. You can see what is being send, so don't worry about your privacy, it is safe!
OPEN SOURCE:
Now I have to fix some bugs, add a bit of functionality, and clean up the code. Whenever this is done (in a few weeks, I hope) the app will be open source.
MATERIAL DESIGN:
I am also working on bringing material design to the app.
Nevertheless the priority is bug-fixing and functionality.

FEATURES, BUGS and CHANGELOG:
Planned features:
Improve aesthetics and animations
Add missing translations
Widgets
Bottom detector
...
17/07/17 [0.9.3]:
New!!! Notification of new version available!
New!!! Animations for opening launcher, changing grid.
New animations for launching apps.
Improving look and feel of settings.

Added pinch to resize, when editing the floating window size.

Website label can be edited.
Pausing SwiftOpen allows to grant permissions and install apps.
Added refresh button to list of apps.

Added analytics.

Multiple select of apps opens correct folder, now.

Small touch bug with fullscreen fixed.

Top most common crash bugs fixed!

Several bugs fixed.
15/05/17 [0.9.2]:
New!!! Files, folders, websites, volume, brightness, auto brightness, split windows, quick settings, system back, system recents, power dialog, contact, direct call, direct sms, direct email, navigate to address.
New!!! SwiftOpen controls.
Restructure of the cell\'s content activity.
Added optional background to folder icons, with editable color.
Added small icon to recent apps and calls.
Granting permissions and installing apps should be possible again.
Highlighted cell matches transparency.
Background color issue fixed.
Recent contacts fixed.
Cell names are displayed again on apps and shortcuts.
Apps multiselect fixed.
Launcher appearance bug fixes.
Bugs fixed.
17/01/17 [0.9.1.2]:
New!!! Each detector may have its own color.

New!!! Accessibility should allow to keep SwiftOpen alive!

Speed improvement.
It is possible to choose the backup folder (and have multiple backups).
Bug reports can be sent without user interaction.
Appdrawer is closed on navigation buttons or touch outside.

UI changes.
Cell color works, as well as tablet mode colors.

Bugs in automatic setup fixed.

Many other bugs fixed.
21/11/16 [v0.9.1]:
Improved fluidity
Action bar transparency issue fixed.
Fixed many bugs.
21/08/16 [v0.9.0]:
Attention! Most code of floating interface rewritten from scratch.
It should be more stable in the future but it may contain bugs. Please report them!
New!!! Multiple border detectors!
New!!! Multiple and customizable actions per border detector!
New!!! App drawer!
Bug fix: folder cells should not remain highlighted.
Language can be selected.
Launcher top bar background may be changed.
Option to show notification icon in statusbar.
Semitransparent border detector has same color than thin line, with alpha.
Aesthetic improvements
Fixed bug in "disable detector in landscape".
Fixed bug with "remove action bar".
Fixed a ton of other bugs.
01/02/16 [v0.8.3]:
Apps are opened in their previous state!
Added showcase of some features.
Checked apps (multiple selection) are not lost when searching.
Autosetup asks to add apps manually if necessary.
Some shortcuts like google translate work now.
A lot of bugs fixed.
25/10/15 [v0.8.2]:
The colors of the detector, highlighted cells, and non highlighted cells may be changed
The detector may be disabled in landscape.
Added on long click help
Issue: some translations are incomplete
Compatible with M permissions
App search searches all words and in word too. It also highlights the matching caracters
Settings are much more fluid
Better management when going to permissions settings
More material design
German translation
Improved: send email
Some preferences were not properly backed up
Fixed transparency issue
Minor bugs
10/09/15 [v0.8.1]:
The border detector will no longer cross the display
More material design and colours change
Added thanks section
Translation to Russian
Recent Call bug that made crash, fixed.
Old, occasional back button bug, fixed.
20/08/15 [v0.8]:
Recent apps and recent calls
Icon packs support
Guided setup
All-grid folders
Possibility to swap all cells from left to right
Shadows pre Lollipop
Chinese translations
Bugs fixed
15/04/15 [v0.7.3]:
Multiple selection of apps
Back up + restore of settings
Option to remove app labels.
Some material transitions
Fixed: Launch on boot setting not working.
Fixed: Drag distance going back to default.
Other bugs fixed
07/03/15 [v0.7.2]:
System toggles to switch: wifi, torch, autorotate, bluetooth and airplane (go to settings if android does not allow switching) and to go home (to the launcher).
Added a changelog in the app.
A trash to delete in "Apps & Shortcuts", when doing drag and drop.
Reduced ram usage.
Fixed: cells changed didn't look OK until relaunch of SwiftOpen.
Fixed: Changing the number of rows or columns now updates
Many other bugs fixed.
17/02/15 [v0.7.1]:
Drag and drop, when configuring grids.
Added dark theme.
More material design.
The animation for launching apps may be choosen.
Alt-tab on lollipop works much better now.
Fixed some bugs in tablet mode and border detector.
Fixed other bugs and known issues from 0.7.
07/02/15 [v0.7]:
Brand new shiny settings!!
Search in app list.
Option to remove action bar in tablet mode
Tablet Mode should work after reboot, now.
Fix a bug that made the app crash when an app in a folder was uninstalled.
Known issues:
Ok and Cancel FABs may be too close in some roms.
Tablet mode in Landscape may get a bit out of the screen.
08/12/14 [v0.6.3]:
Added "back folder"
Going back last app no longer stays highlighted.
App would crash in android API lower than 16.
Tablet mode now is active after reboot.
Tablet mode would activate without being active.
All apps' names are aligned now.
Fixed crashes when changing a cell or a grid.
Minor changes and fixes.
Settings to configure grids have been redesigned. A glimpse of what is coming
Reduced ram usage (and removed shadows before lollipop)
20/11/14 [v0.6.2]:
Fixed shadow for kitkat.
Improved eficiency (when drawing cells)
Some animations added.
17/11/14 [v0.6.1]:
Huge code changes for the future and for optimality.
Title marquee when it doesn't fit, and hidden when too small.
No notification icon in statusbar (will add setting to opt in or out).
Shadows and improved look (prior to android L it may not look very well, yet).
Other minor bug fixes.
07/11/14 [v0.6]:
Fixed when the launcher didn't start on boot (in v0.5).
Fixed bug when creating a new table and adding an app with the launcher running.
Fixed: the list of apps sometimes wouldn't load some apps.
Speed improved.
Tablet Mode (allows the launcher to be smaller than fullscreen!)
Multiple folder icons to choose.
Relaunch when killed by system should work better.
New package name + signature + code structure == you'll have to set the app up again. I'm really sorry about this.
26/10/14 [v0.5.2]:
Showing better text and icon position in big or small App-cells.
New icon.
Folder cellView and CellView "behind" of folder (after it is opened) now get Highlight.
20/10/14 [v0.5.1]:
Ready for Lollipop.
20/10/14 [v0.5]:
This version is not ready for Lollipop yet.
Icons were sometimes drawn in bad quality. Now they are ok.
Updating the launcher and detector when changes in settings are performed.
Notification leads to settings instead of closing the launcher.
Fixed: crash on tables with less than 4 cells.
Fixed: alt-tab would crash when recents was empty.
Notification icon is smaller.
The cell of the last opened app no longer stays highlighted.
Other minor bug fixes...
13/10/14 [v0.4]:
This version is not ready for android L yet.
Cells efficiency should be better, but will improve it further.
Back stack should be fixed.
Back from folder should be fixed except when in a folder inside of another folder.
Updating the launcher when changes in the table settings are performed (was harder than I expected!) (soon).
Choosing folder icons (soon).
26/9/14 [v0.3]:
UI improvements.
Minor bug fixes.
10/9/14 [v0.2]:
fixed: Sometimes apps didn't open (when closed through back button).
Other minor bug fixes.
Known bugs:
Direct calling on some samsung devices doesn't work.
A shortcut to soundhound may not work?

screen shoots please ?

wts1 said:
screen shoots please ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uploaded!

Great job
I'll keep an eye to see how it evolves. By now it looks promising.

It would be great to include the ability to add widgets as well.

Yes, it's planned. I will add the features I have planned so that you know them. But that's after bug fixing, when the app is open source. So it'll take a while yet. At least a month.

Awesome! (some feedback)
I've been looking for something like this for so long. I simply love shortcuts. I've been trying it for a day now and here is my feedback (and some suggestions):
- Settings don't apply inmediately. You have to turn off and close the app and then restart it for them to work. (It would be awesome to see real-time changes (i don't know how difficult that is), for example, for the vertical position of the border detection).
- The alt+tab function is simply genius, i use it more times than i expected. Keep that up.
- Rows and columns could be editable for each table. For example, i got a "Contacts table" (where a folder in my main page redirects to) where i'd like 6 contacts but i want 4x3 icons in my "Main table". So that would be a cool feature too.
- The permanent icon: I don't know it's purpose. If it's only to close the app, maybe an in-app long press button or something will do better and be less invasive for the drawer?
That's all for now, i will edit, if you want, with more feedback on the next days. :good:

theJackalope said:
I've been looking for something like this for so long. I simply love shortcuts. I've been trying it for a day now and here is my feedback (and some suggestions):
- Settings don't apply inmediately. You have to turn off and close the app and then restart it for them to work. (It would be awesome to see real-time changes (i don't know how difficult that is), for example, for the vertical position of the border detection).
- The alt+tab function is simply genius, i use it more times than i expected. Keep that up.
- Rows and columns could be editable for each table. For example, i got a "Contacts table" (where a folder in my main page redirects to) where i'd like 6 contacts but i want 4x3 icons in my "Main table". So that would be a cool feature too.
- The permanent icon: I don't know it's purpose. If it's only to close the app, maybe an in-app long press button or something will do better and be less invasive for the drawer?
That's all for now, i will edit, if you want, with more feedback on the next days. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your feedback. About settings, I know that and its in the bug list to be fixed.
Rows and columns editable for each table is also into consideration. Nevertheless I don't think it is intuitive because the cells would not be in the same position.
And if the permanent icon means the notification, it is because to ensure that the app is not killed by the system, it is required to have a permanent notification.
If you give me more feedback it will be highly appreciated

Here's some more
Here are two more things i noticed:
- The border detector sometimes gets graphically buggy and it shows a big rectangle where the thin line should be. I assume it's the detector losing its transparency. I have a Nexus 4 running cm11 M10 (maybe it's only my problem)
- And second, sometimes when you accidentally fast click the border, it opens youtube (in my case the top central shortcut) instead of the one that belongs to the very edge of my screen (which i have empty to prevent this cases in particular, though it seems not to work)
I leave a screenshot with my config also.

About the big rectangle in my phone it happens very very rarely. But I'll fix it as soon as I discover what causes it.
And about launching YouTube, I'll look into it. Nevertheless it shouldn't be necessary to leave that cell empty if you use the "distance to drag necessary..." preference. I know the name is not intuitive but it prevents the detector from opening the launcher when the drag is very short (taps).
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Nice work
Awesome app, I'd love to see it fully perfected!
Here's my feedback:
1. When the launcher is activated when in SwiftOpen Settings, the activity stack is all messed up, (especially if you go into creating a new table and opening the launcher while configuring it). While pressing back, the same activities come repeatedly and I have to press back a lot of times to exit the settings. Not a big issue, but a rough edge to be polished. I think it can be solved by providing a separate task stack for the launcher activity alone, by specifying a
Code:
android:taskAffinity
for the launcher activity in the manifest file.
2. Android limitation of launching an activity from a service only after at least 5 sec, is unfortunate. I was riddled with the same problem, however to overcome that, I replaced the activity and made the entire thing "draw over other apps". I am not sure whether it'll work properly in this case, but worth a try anyway.
I'll come back soon for the updates.
Edit: I guess point 2 is in place, since I don't see the delay anymore.

I noticed the stack issue and forgot to write it down, so haven't tried to fix it. I'll try as soon as possible. Thanks for the feedback!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

The "Distance of drag necessary..." works just perfectly fine!
I also noticed the stacking-back problem but i thought it was only me...
Keep up the awesome job!
Edit: Trying out the new v0.3 and noticed one thing, it's hard to explain so i'll try my best.
When you swipe away the apps from the "recent menu" (i dont know how to call it, it's the bottom right soft button on a Nexus4) and you leave it completely empty, using the Alt+tab function closes the app everytime.
It may be silly but that's a bug i think (although not very critical )

theJackalope said:
The "Distance of drag necessary..." works just perfectly fine!
I also noticed the stacking-back problem but i thought it was only me...
Keep up the awesome job!
Edit: Trying out the new v0.3 and noticed one thing, it's hard to explain so i'll try my best.
When you swipe away the apps from the "recent menu" (i dont know how to call it, it's the bottom right soft button on a Nexus4) and you leave it completely empty, using the Alt+tab function closes the app everytime.
It may be silly but that's a bug i think (although not very critical )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I hadn't noticed that. I'll try to fix it as soon as possible! It's not a typical scenario, though

Liking it very much so far. Looking forward to new updates!

Swift Open L cannot be installed if downloaded through tapatalk. The total size is 6bytes.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

Just wanted to add that the name is already taken in the GOogle Play market => https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epicunlock.rx24race&hl=en
Apart from that, awesome app but I really would like to see drag and drop re-arrangement options for setting up my tables its a bit of a pita to remove and re-add when setting thigns up :-/

ovizii said:
Just wanted to add that the name is already taken in the GOogle Play market => https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epicunlock.rx24race&hl=en
Apart from that, awesome app but I really would like to see drag and drop re-arrangement options for setting up my tables its a bit of a pita to remove and re-add when setting thigns up :-/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me about the name. When I looked for it it didn't appear (or I didn't see it). Nevertheless I'll put Swift open - Launcher or something like this, in the play store.
About drag and drop, it's in the long lost of to-dos but not a priority. First I have to fix some bugs. Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Folder suggestion
Great App! Please consider allowing custom icon for each folder.

Sapphyx Launcher- A launcher built for you in mind

This is simply the sequel to my last launcher project, Sapphire Launcher. I started this project last August and began the beta in June of this year. So, Instead of boring you with a story of how I started and what an android launcher is, I will start with what is important to know before you post any comments.
Sapphyx Launcher is not intended to be another Pixel based Launcher. I provide the settings needed to transform the launcher from the "Pixel" interface back to the original launcherinterface. I am not a code junky, this is a learning project for me to learn how to properly use Google Services, Firebase, Analytics, Communicate properly with the user base and community on Google Plus, learn android from within the launcher application and provide cool customization options to your android device. Sapphyx is for Android 6.0 and above because of the code structure I use and the performance I promise.
Sapphyx Launcher is my vision of what I would call an original launcher. Its the kind of experience that slaps you in the face alittle bit to get you thinking why havn't other developers taken up such originality in their homescreen replacement projects. Like my old custom roms (Bionx Roms), i promise a unique experience and a very good customer feedback appreciation program. The launcher, like many other custom launchers, offer customization to pretty much everything. Label text size and color, grid options, toggling views and menus, unique navigation from point A to point B, material user interface, Context Pages, Gestures, Notification bubbles and more! Sapphyx Launcher has been called the ADW of its time as it brings back memories of my current users of the original ADW launcher from gingerbread with the amount of options that are offered. In Sapphyx Launcher, I offer a unique and exclusive feature called Context Pages (Now available in the latest beta) which are my replacement of a swipe to left add on. These pages offer different tools, features and shortcuts to daily tasked completed by the user. Sapphyx Launcher is a premium application and requires a license to use some of the advanced options. I also offer free license to users on certain occasions. Sapphyx Launcher is fully optimized for 64bit environment and Snapdragon chipsets.
MAIN FEATURES (Based on latest beta release)
-Transitional Themeing
-Notification Bubbles
-Homescreen Customization
-Dock Preferences
-Folder Preferences
-Unique Launcher Drawer with toolbar
-Context Pages (With Chooser)
-Unique Wallpaper manager
-Powerful Launcher Settings
-Google Services and Firebase
-Fabric Error Reporting
And more...
If a Licensed is missing, its because I am still testing the code and determining if its reliable for my project. I have no intentions to add Google Now or Oreo features. I may create my own implementation of something similar going forward if requested.
I urge you to join the Google Plus Group as that is my home and where I will be posting majority of what I am working on and previews and also you can sign up from for beta build releases.
Google Play Link
Google Plus Group
XDA Labs Link: https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.gsd.launcher.sapphyx
XDA:DevDB Information
Sapphyx Launcher, App for all devices (see above for details)
Contributors
Nx Biotic
Version Information
Status: Stable
Current Version: 1.00.20
Beta Release Date: 2017-08-16
Created 2017-08-18
Last Updated 2017-08-18

Rollouts/Updates
Sapphyx Launcher will be distributed in 3 ways. On Google Play, users have a choice of the stable channel and beta channel. The stable channel will distribute builds that are dependable, less buggy and user friendly. Beta builds will have experimental settings, have relatively new features readying for the stable channel and is open.
Xda Labs will feature dev preview builds in the Alpha Channel, mirrored beta versions and stable versions.
The Google Play Rating system for beta builds point users to this forum.
Ratings
I take the rating system seriously. If you abuse the system you will be pointed out or ignored. If you call out a user or developer, i will call you out publicly. Rate the application based on its performance, its features and reliability. Not what you think it should be or what you want it to be. Do not demand features.
License
I may not include license to a 3rd party resource if i am testing it or its relatively new. A license will be included if its solid and dependable and plan to be kept in the project.

#first!! Excellent launcher bro!!

Hoping to have the final beta update out before the end of August. After that, the next update after that will begin locking features and settings and users will be required to purchase either my premium or onyx license key (no difference except value and support). A handful of features will stay unlocked like icon editing and icon pack support.

Is there a way not to use the extended homescreen. I am not able to go back to homescreen when i am on another screen without opening that ****in extended screen
Gesendet von meinem SM-G935F mit Tapatalk

js45721 said:
Is there a way not to use the extended homescreen. I am not able to go back to homescreen when i am on another screen without opening that ****in extended screen
Gesendet von meinem SM-G935F mit Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently working on a way to lock it out for users who don't like the intentions of it. Its based on a Drawer layout thus the launcher layout is placed inside of it so its not something i can just disable with a view toggle. I have to find a way to lock the drawer from being accessed. Right now, its i provided an enforced lock toggle. Yes, this is a priority im working on.

This actually looks really good, seems to fix the handful of things that bother me about the pixel launcher.ill give it a shot for a few days and see how it does on my s8(TouchWiz is ehh), I'll be sure to post any bugs I find to the g+ group

huffmybrd said:
This actually looks really good, seems to fix the handful of things that bother me about the pixel launcher.ill give it a shot for a few days and see how it does on my s8(TouchWiz is ehh), I'll be sure to post any bugs I find to the g+ group
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very much appreciated. I like to tell users they don't have to keep Sapphyx installed, i care more about what they noticed or found that could be wrong.

Pushed out an update today to the following apps in regards to Sapphyx Launcher.
GSD Premium license now adds a Time Page module for Static Pages (Simple Widget, may add more to it later).
Sapphyx SideDrawer now listens to Drawer Background Color and Column Count shared preferences.
Getting ready to release the API for devs to mess around with as well as adding Shared Preferences inside Sapphyx Launcher settings they will have access to. For example: Static Pages background color.
Happy weekend everyone.

Update 1.00.25 available on playstore, xda labs coming soon.

woow seems very promising launcher!
can you implement a static page that have same feature of oneplus shelf or arrow launcher? i hate google now page on the left, and i would love a scrollable page where i can add my widget and app shortcut!
Hope this can be a added soon1

okaiuz said:
woow seems very promising launcher!
can you implement a static page that have same feature of oneplus shelf or arrow launcher? i hate google now page on the left, and i would love a scrollable page where i can add my widget and app shortcut!
Hope this can be a added soon1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have plans to develop a page similar to Shelf. If I don't get to it, another dev will be able to soon as I will be releasing the API soon todo so. Im just not their yet to be satisfied with public usage.
I felt the same while developing this launcher, i wanted the same concept just another package or feature.

Nx Biotic said:
I already have plans to develop a page similar to Shelf. If I don't get to it, another dev will be able to soon as I will be releasing the API soon todo so. Im just not their yet to be satisfied with public usage.
I felt the same while developing this launcher, i wanted the same concept just another package or feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great work man!

I started working on publishing the Sapphyx Launcher API on github. Repository is live but the tutorial and setup isn't finished yet, been busy.
If you have any interest in it, feel free to star it. Github account can be accessed in the launcher about information. Il have some things documented above in OP when everything on github is finalized.

API is live on my github. I will be publishing some of my pages on my Github for examples.
The next update will be official release anf as a reminder will be locking all premium settings and requiring a key to unlock.
As apart of the update, Im compiling on Android Oreo which has broken a few things and improved performance so Im in the middle of a massive rework right now. The Extended homescreen is more aggressive now, making it feel more like a drawer than a extra page on your homescreen. This makes it less visible for users to notice if you do not want to use it vs users who will be using it. A large number of Force Closes have been patched. Ive gone through the launcher settings and moved a few things around while revamping a few views (Like the Avatar bottom menu).
Il be focusing on more user requests near release so keep the logs and requests and feedback coming.

A new feature im currently working on for Sapphyx Launcher. Kinda like a mock of the One plus Shelf.

Nx Biotic said:
A new feature im currently working on for Sapphyx Launcher. Kinda like a mock of the One plus Shelf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looks lit man !
cant wait

Another look at the redesigned Left and Right Panes in Sapphyx Launcher's new update currently in development.
Static Pages now have an indicator to indicate which page you are on and how far left you are. Above the container is now a Google Now search widget which solves the delima of Now on left as clicking on it opens Google Now in that view. (I could add the Companion code from lawnchair but i really don't want to copy from them)
The Smart Pane has pretty much a final design. Just lacking its features at the moment. Currently looking at some options users could benefit from if they choose to use this feature for a cleaner homescreen setup.
This new update is planned for the end of September or beginning of October. I have a few things i want to touch up as far as existing tweaks, revamp the UX for the launcher settings, fix a few straggling bugs in a few tweaks and finalize the new Smart Pane and lock all premium settings.

A project update for xda followers.
I plan on doing a dev preview as an alpha build on xda labs soon. This build would be labled as an Alpha build and be a preview of the fall update. I hope to have this live next week. If you use this build, I expect feeeback. I will announce when it goes live.
I recently just switched to the newest Android Studio 3 beta and updated the launcher to compile on Oreo. The result was a massive amount of broken activities and actions because of new behavior and deprecated code and rules in Oreo. I have been working hard to fix everything and patch anything in need and remove anything that was completely broken. The result was a faster launcher but their is some weird behavior still and we're trying to locate the bugs and fix them (For example the drawer hangs or gets stuck as you swipe up from the dock)
I have been finishing up what I need to for a few new features, one of them being Sleeve. Sleeve is my representation of the One Plus Shelf feature. Altho it isn't 100% complete yet, I want users to get to try it and here from them what All could go in this hidden home screen. This screen is summoned via a gesture or launcher action.
A great amount of the launcher and interface has been rewritten to be more user friendly and easier to use as well as make that first impressions on many. The launcher settings has been re organized, a new long click listener was added to the carrot indicator. A few fixes to icon pack helper for Oreo and patches to pre existing tweaks so they behave correctly.
Be sure to follow the google plus group for more info and previews and to share your feedback and requests easier.

Dev preview builds are available on xda labs. Please select Alpha channel.
https://labs.xda-developers.com/store/app/com.gsd.launcher.sapphyx

[APP] [1.6+] Emerald Launcher [Beta]

Emerald Launcher is a simple home screen for Android phones. It is based on TinyLaunch code with lots of improvements and is in beta stage. It provides some features to make it easy and nice to use. You can resize layout as you wish, apply icon packs, easily access apps via search or sort them by categories.
Download from Google Play
Source code on GitHub
Any help is appreciated. Please feel free to post suggestions or report found bugs here. Thanks.

Surprising not to see comments here. Just found it on F-Droid and think this is a fantastic launcher implementation. No unnecessary permissions, no ads, no statistics or analytics, good customization, fast.
Thank you so much for developing this. Still playing with it and personalizing. ( Came from using KISS launcher for quite a while. )
　

I was wondering if it would be possible to change a single application's icon ( or all of them but without installing an icon pack ) and found a workaround...
PNG files generated in Emerald's cache folder at /data/data etc can be replaced, one by one or all of them. No need for icon packs. In case this is useful to anybody.
（ ^_^）
　

Hello,
i also would like to thank the developer for this nice launcher. I tried it and found it great, but...
i'd like to have the ability to search contacts and settings and not only apps as Emerald does. Is it possible to add this feature as well as widget support?

surferjoeit said:
Hello,
i also would like to thank the developer for this nice launcher. I tried it and found it great, but...
i'd like to have the ability to search contacts and settings and not only apps as Emerald does. Is it possible to add this feature as well as widget support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to sound rude, but the lack of those features is a huge plus for me. Plenty of other launchers are loaded with functions such as those. Try KISS or OpenLauncher for instance, just to mention two out of dozens.
　

Hello.
Thank you everyone for the support and sorry for the late reply. @Ultramanoid, I came from KISS myself. It is fine, but lacks some features such as folders and grid layout, that's why I've forked TinyLaunch and started to modify it.
surferjoeit said:
i'd like to have the ability to search contacts and settings and not only apps as Emerald does. Is it possible to add this feature as well as widget support?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to add support for shortcuts, so it'll be possible to search through contacts if you add them on the homescreen. About settings... I think that settings search is unnecessary, because it won't speed up toggling much. Widgets are most likely not to be implemented. You can use EcoHome as a separate screen for widgets, it's very lightweight.

I'm looking for help with testing alpha versions of Emerald. If you want to help, please e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you the latest apk with instructions. I have to mention that test apks won't include features for Nougat and Oreo, so if you use these OS versions, please be ready to some bugs and make a backup of preferences. Thanks.

Might want to updated the link so it's not the description (should be this): Download From Play Store

Very nice launcher. I'm using on Nougat on a very special kind of phone (F25). I'm having a problem with an icon pack though. It just contains 2 icons but doesn't get applied in any way.

Okay but.....
Just gave it a quick try and here are my results
1 - adding to the dock, on my phone the home/back/recents button gets in the way. Seems to fix it if I turn the phone landscape and then back. But then it comes back as soon as I touch the menu on the top left - see screen shot.
2 - no shortcuts or 1x1 widgets - not sure how basic you want the launcher to be.
3 - on my phone I prefer to be able to move the things. like your search bar, etc. My phone is an HTC M8, anything that requires 2 hands to do (or reaching to the top of the screen) is annoying.
4 - since you only have 1 screen, maybe making gesters do something - like making swiping on any part of the screen switch categories (instead of the top of the screen).
5- Maybe allow changing the size of the text for the apps on the screen.
6 - If you set to just text, the dock has all little green android
might be more, but not ready for prime time, good luck.
-brad

Hello, @bradley_e_smith. Thank you for the review.
1. This issue was discovered already, but I can't reproduce it, because there is no phone with on-screen buttons to test it.
2. Shortcuts are planned and widgets are not.
3. I've updated the app recently. Now it's possible to move the main bar and apps to the bottom.
4. Yes, I'll probably add gestures soon.
5. The text size can be changed through appearance settings.
6. It's a known issue. I don't know what could be the best option to show. There are three possible options:
- always keep dock icons in cache;
- show text labels in dock.
Droidphilev said:
Very nice launcher. I'm using on Nougat on a very special kind of phone (F25). I'm having a problem with an icon pack though. It just contains 2 icons but doesn't get applied in any way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. Please could you answer some questions to help? Does this icon pack work with other launchers? Is it listed in Icon Pack option? Thanks.

HenriDellal said:
Hello, @bradley_e_smith. Thank you for the review.
1. This issue was discovered already, but I can't reproduce it, because there is no phone with on-screen buttons to test it.
2. Shortcuts are planned and widgets are not.
3. I've updated the app recently. Now it's possible to move the main bar and apps to the bottom.
4. Yes, I'll probably add gestures soon.
5. The text size can be changed through appearance settings.
6. It's a known issue. I don't know what could be the best option to show. There are three possible options:
- always keep dock icons in cache;
- show text labels in dock.
Hello. Please could you answer some questions to help? Does this icon pack work with other launchers? Is it listed in Icon Pack option? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
This icon pack is working with Lawnchair launcher at least. I have not tried on other launchers. It's listed in Emerald Launcher settings.