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hey guys i'm looking for an android app that will allow me to start apps or do some task by swiping a certain pattern when i'm on the desktop screen.
for example if i swipe upwards it will bring up the app drawer, if i swipe down it will open the notifications, if i 'Z' swipe some other app/task will launch etc etc
any suggestions much appreciated
LauncherPro has some of what you're talking about, but you can only have one swipe direction (up). But you can put pretty much anything there. For example, I have my swipe shortcuts related to the actual shortcut. Shortcut- camera. Swipe - gallery. Shortcut - phone. Swipe - contacts... you get the idea.
not exactly what you're looking for, but similar:
http://gesturesearch.googlelabs.com/
I find SwipePad incredibly useful. Not exactly gestures but one swipe can get you to 12 apps or shortcuts. It works with Anycut too so they can be anything.
https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&feature=search_result
Maybe this? Haven't tried it, but sounds like what you're describing: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.reeyees.gesturelauncher&feature=search_result
Antiskunk said:
I find SwipePad incredibly useful. Not exactly gestures but one swipe can get you to 12 apps or shortcuts. It works with Anycut too so they can be anything.
https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.conduction.swipepad.android&feature=search_result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just a warning about Swipepad, while it is a useful app, it will break any third party screen brightness apps/widgets, so you will only be able to control screen brightness via stock android controls.
I have tried to get the dev to address this, but he does not seem interested in doing so.
Hi,
The Halo multiwindow feature from ParanoidAndroid allows the System to open up any app in a floating window. However there are few alternative ways to launch an app in the multiwindow except for the original Halo bubble.
For people using tools like sidebars or similar applications, there's no option to do that.
That's why I developed the app HaloShortcut. My app allows you to create a shortcut that opens every app in the floating window provided by the Halo feature.
There's an app with similar functions called HaloShortcuts, which you should definitely try out. It comes with an additional search feature and most importantly, it's open source,
HaloShortcuts:
Provides a shortcut for every app/activity that will then start in a multiwindow
The Blacklist feature allows you to control whether an app starts in multi window depending on the currently used app
Doesn't appear in your home launcher nor does it run in the background at any moment
NEW Feature:
(Also works with the XHaloFloatingWindow XPosed extension)
Further information about the Halo project:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/paranoid-android-team-open-sources-halo/
Changelog;
Version 3.2: Fixed Blacklist
Version 3.0: Complete new UI and added Blacklist Feature
Version 2.1: Shortcut labels now show correct name
Version 2.0: Shortcut support
Version 1.0: First release
Screenshot:
Very cool, very handy. Thank you.
Good good , thanks
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Is it possible to update this app to create shortcuts that point to "Shortcuts" in Android as well instead of just app shortcuts?
You know, the screen when u long press on the launcher and you get this page to create direct shortcuts to contacts, bookmarks, gmail labels etc.
Because it would be handy to create shortcuts that link to specific functions inside apps instead of having to launch the apps in windows mode and then navigating to the required functions i.e. shortcut to a specific whatsapp contact, specific settings screen.
Do consider it, or if anyone has a solution do let me know, thanks!
kenkiller said:
Is it possible to update this app to create shortcuts that point to "Shortcuts" in Android as well instead of just app shortcuts?
You know, the screen when u long press on the launcher and you get this page to create direct shortcuts to contacts, bookmarks, gmail labels etc.
Because it would be handy to create shortcuts that link to specific functions inside apps instead of having to launch the apps in windows mode and then navigating to the required functions i.e. shortcut to a specific whatsapp contact, specific settings screen.
Do consider it, or if anyone has a solution do let me know, thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I implemented the requested feature, thanks for the support :good:
Hi , this app somehow is not working on my Xperia Z, running android 4.3
i cant see the app icon ANYWHERE in the phone, so cannot create a halo shortcut.
i tried the other halo shortcut you suggested at #1, that one only creates a shortcut on the home screen, so that's not too useful (i want to create a halo shortcut on notification bar)
Thanks
Works great! Thank you!
I like it! Great app
moonset said:
Hi , this app somehow is not working on my Xperia Z, running android 4.3
i cant see the app icon ANYWHERE in the phone, so cannot create a halo shortcut.
i tried the other halo shortcut you suggested at #1, that one only creates a shortcut on the home screen, so that's not too useful (i want to create a halo shortcut on notification bar)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, this app won't show up in any launcher, because that wouldn't make sense at all. But you should be able to access it from a popup dialog whenever you want to add a shortcut to something.
So in your app that makes the notification bar shortcuts, you have to select shortcuts and than select "HaloShortcut".
If you still have problems, tell me the name of the app that you are using and i'll see how to get it done
MainstreamStereotype said:
Hey, this app won't show up in any launcher, because that wouldn't make sense at all. But you should be able to access it from a popup dialog whenever you want to add a shortcut to something.
So in your app that makes the notification bar shortcuts, you have to select shortcuts and than select "HaloShortcut".
If you still have problems, tell me the name of the app that you are using and i'll see how to get it done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,I've finally found the option, it is under "Bookmark" (not "App") when creating the halo shortcuts.
It is working if i create a desktop shortcut to open app with halo, but currently it doesn't work with this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dk.nicolai.buch.andersen.ns&hl=en
which i try to add the halo shortcut to the notification bar, the app opens as normal.
Thanks
sorry
moonset said:
Hi,I've finally found the option, it is under "Bookmark" (not "App") when creating the halo shortcuts.
It is working if i create a desktop shortcut to open app with halo, but currently it doesn't work with this app: ...
which i try to add the halo shortcut to the notification bar, the app opens as normal.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I tried the app and for me it worked flawlessly, so I can't tell you what the problem is
(I use the xposed halo module)
great work:good::good::good::good:
Works good for me so far with xHalo. All the possibilities are great. Thanks for the app.
Thanks fot your app.
But it doesnt work with XHFW3. (Xhalofloating window 3.16)
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.zst.xposed.halo.floatingwindow3
XHFW3 works with Android6.
Could you make it suitable with XHFW3?
Thank you.
This app allows you to have as many touchable areas (triggers) on the screen as you want and each trigger allows you to open different sidebars depending on the touch gesture on it. Everything in this app is persobalisable.
Special features:
arbitrary number of apps, shortcuts, widgets or folders to a sidebar
arbitrary number of handles
many triggers to open a sidebar (slide up/down/left/right, click, double click, long press)
personalize colors, sizes, transparency, use icon packs and much more
Action Folder - clicking it directly opens the first app in the folder, swiping on it opens the folder
Action Sidebar - the trigger does not open a sidebar but directly start an app or a shortcut
Sidepages - page that shows your apps and allow you to fastly search them with the T9 predictive keyboard
Material Palette Colors - fastly select material colors
Quick Colors - fastly select colors that match your current wallpaper (material palette method to extract the main colors of your current wallpaper)
Supports resent apps and blacklists on all android versions
Planned features that are currently developed:
sidepage with direct widgets on it just like a real drawer and freely positionable apps, shortcuts, widgets and folders
integrate contacts and allow them to be search like apps on the all apps sidepages
...
Any feedback is appreciated and feature requests are welcome.
DEMO
Demo video will come the next days, that demonstrates all the main features with descriptions. In the meanwhile, here are the raw videos that shortly demonstrate the app:
Demo sidebars: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rypuei9ceghubtj/intro3-1.avi?dl=0
Demo sidepages: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jktqccf1ozcnbs6/intro3-2.avi?dl=0
Style demo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/550klbvtlp8y80l/style-1.avi?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qsnuqmhz8ty5epe/style-2.avi?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5wjr4bskxnyj78/style-3.avi?dl=0
LINK
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appindustry.everywherelauncher
Tried the app - good
I tried the app; very good. I am on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S, 10.5", running on a SlimLP Android 5.1.1. The store would not let me download the app, stating it was not "compatible" with my device. I downloaded the file to my phone, backed it up, and installed it unto my tablet. I seems to be working fine.
Nice app, great bunch features and configuration. Endless possibilities. This app deserves more attention.
See it in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGLVbxa7_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIJRpSqwxjk
Desired features
jaydee 77 said:
Nice app, great bunch features and configuration. Endless possibilities. This app deserves more attention.
See it in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPGLVbxa7_k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIJRpSqwxjk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent tool. Still thinking to get the pro but I suggest the following:
- Selection by sliding, without lifting the finger (Glovebox´s app style)
- Improve the floating widget because widget is not responding smoothly
Thanks.
I am really liking this so far and I plan on buying. Everyone should install this app and play with it for a few days, don't dismiss it too quickly it is very nice. Good job dev. Thanks
I installed the app yesterday and it is really great, congratulations on your app @prom85 :good:
I have some ideas to further improve the app, maybe you like the ideas, too:
1. Possibility to open sidebar/sidepage with a shortcut without having to use handle. A fast workaround would be allowing to set the width of a handle to 0dp.
2. Possibility to adjust the size of a sidebar/sidepage. I would like to have a sidepage with minimum size to see all my favorite apps on it. Therefore it would be great, if the sidepage would decrease its size if I decrease the number of rows/columns. A fast workaround would be increasing the maximum dp of possible padding in all directions to 1000(?).
3. I think I found a little bug: I use custom rom with navigation bar and I open sidebar/sidepage with a button on the navigation bar (via shortcut) and most of the time it works well. But sometimes not only the sidebar/sidepage opens but also your app opens in background of the sidebar/sidepage. The problem is, that I don't know why or when the functionality switches to "open both: app and sidebar/sidepage". Maybe you can have a look at it.
Last but not least I have a question: Is it right that I can use with the pro version icon packs AND change in addition the icons manually that don't look nice with the icon pack?
With kind regards
paludi06
This is a useful app with many options. It is progressively getting better.
Hello
I try to enable the dynamic permissions (read contacts and call phone) but I don't know how
Is it possible to inform me anyone how to do that?
Shade has been updated to Android Q!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/f5zz38/shade_launcher_q_the_best_of_both_worlds/
New Screenshots
-
Having grown tired of only decompiling and porting Google’s Pixel Launcher code, I decided to turn my own vision for a launcher into reality.
It's based on the latest AOSP Launcher3 Pie version.
What can it do?
Mostly everything Rootless Pixel Launcher could do, but there are some additional features.
Themes: Make your launcher look like eye candy using one of the precreated themes.
Categories: Order your apps in the app drawer or hide them in the Hidden category.
Smart Unread: Show what’s most important at the top of your home screen.
Quickstep: The Magisk module QuickSwitch that lets other apps handle recents is supported.
Plugins: Have third party add-ons implement additional functionality in the launcher.
Here’s the full release thread on Reddit: Shade Launcher
You are free to use the code in any way you like, as long as you keep me in your credits.
Links
Screenshots
Play Store
APK Download
Source Code
Test Builds
Contact & Donate
Thank you for this new launcher Amir, will have a try soon !
Cheers
Awaiting a compatible version with Android Q beta, currently I can't test it cause the launcher keeps crashing
Currently mainlining a Nokia 6.1 (2018), Android 9.0, 00WW_3_51F_SP01 Build Number
Really slick launcher my dude, nice break away from the bottom search bar, and to have a proper swipe down to expand notification shade that Android One Launcher simply does not have. The only thing I could possibly ask for is maybe a few more icon shapes (rounded square being the priority). Other than an early bird with a few bugs which involve crashing after using the widgets picker, it's a good enough barebones option.
blankplains said:
The only thing I could possibly ask for is maybe a few more icon shapes (rounded square being the priority).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cylinder and Rounded Square are in the new Play Store build that is rolling out.
blankplains said:
Other than an early bird with a few bugs which involve crashing after using the widgets picker, it's a good enough barebones option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had others report it to me before but I cannot reproduce it and the crash trace only shows some weird native code going wrong. Furthermore, it also seems to happen with AOSP Launcher3. At the moment, I still have no idea what's happening...
very smooth launcher i like it, can i make a suggestion that allows users to configure which apps can use the smart notifications. I love the idea but i would like not to have messages from whats app displayed through that widget
notlek said:
very smooth launcher i like it, can i make a suggestion that allows users to configure which apps can use the smart notifications. I love the idea but i would like not to have messages from whats app displayed through that widget
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's set to use the same notifications as the ones that show notification dots. Disable the notification dot for WhatsApp if you want to hide it in Smart Unread.
Thank you for adding the dock override for search bar widget, I can properly replicate the Android One layout as I personally intended.
As an unpopular, tangential opinion, docking icons in Launcher3 never played as nicely as it should have given some aspect ratios on larger displays. So I don't mind having a search bar in lieu of icons.
Hello! Any chance this could see a release on F-Droid? I'm going to give it a try soon!
EDIT: I'd surely love being able to change and edit categories, as well as better controlling the dock. Looks great otherwise!
Is there an option to hide apps?
Nice launcher!
I'm using Smartlauncher at the moment and miss the following features in shade:
- gestures (swipe up/down/left/right to start apps)
- add/delete categories
- categories at side instead on top
Would be great to see this in the future.
---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:08 ----------
murali3127 said:
Is there an option to hide apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long press the app and select hidden category.
LazyT said:
- gestures (swipe up/down/left/right to start apps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Swipe down is used for notifications, up to go to all apps, right to open the feed and left to go to the next page. Would you want to disable all of these just to quickly start apps?
LazyT said:
- add/delete categories
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would want to bring this at some point but it does require designing an interface for it, which is also the reason why giving per-app icon selection is taking so long. I want it to fit in with the AOSP aesthetic.
LazyT said:
- categories at side instead on top
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem, not sure how this would fit in with the AOSP UI, right now they are taking the place of app suggestions.
Swipe down is used for notifications, up to go to all apps, right to open the feed and left to go to the next page. Would you want to disable all of these just to quickly start apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe it's possible to difference this from gestures: gestures only in the center area of the screen?
not sure how this would fit in with the AOSP UI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, but on phones you get the doubled space vertically for icons as horizontally.
LazyT said:
Nice launcher!
I'm using Smartlauncher at the moment and miss the following features in shade:
- gestures (swipe up/down/left/right to start apps)
- add/delete categories
- categories at side instead on top
Would be great to see this in the future.
---------- Post added at 20:17 ---------- Previous post was at 20:08 ----------
Long press the app and select hidden category.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the use when the hidden app can be discovered by search?
murali3127 said:
What's the use when the hidden app can be discovered by search?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any launcher that doesn't let you find apps again after hiding them? If anything, Shade's way to unhide makes it so you need to know which app was hidden to unhide it, while other launchers have a global "unhide" option where you can see all the apps you've hidden.
Maybe I'll find the time to test this launcher tomorrow, but I'd already like to know if there's an option to not show any categories in the app drawer?
edit: Ok, seems like I'll stick to your Rootless Launcher, because I can't remove categories. This version has to too many 'unnecessary' features, but that's only my personal taste.
New update based on Android Q: https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/f5zz38/shade_launcher_q_the_best_of_both_worlds/
Nokia 6.1 (2018), Android 10, 00WW_4_10C_SP01 Build
Love the further integration into the stock Quickstep aesthetic, as well as the adaptive search bar in app drawer, something the Android One launcher forgot to get on Android Q/10. This has basically succeeded the rootless pixel launcher in every way now, plus some variation while maintaining smooth performance without overwhelm. My only request is having the accent color with dark mode match the stock cornflower blue-like accent, or just make that an option while keeping the current accent.
https://i.redd.it/5g4ywmcddjk31.png
EDIT: the animated clock icon does not change shape, refer to build outlined in the header of this post.
blankplains said:
My only request is having the accent color with dark mode match the stock cornflower blue-like accent, or just make that an option while keeping the current accent.
https://i.redd.it/5g4ywmcddjk31.png
EDIT: the animated clock icon does not change shape, refer to build outlined in the header of this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about the first point, I could look into using the system accent in the future.
Could you elaborate on the clock issue?
azaidi said:
Not sure about the first point, I could look into using the system accent in the future.
Could you elaborate on the clock issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the system accent extracted, assuming that won't cause any overt optimization issues? If not applicable, perhaps just add the Black/Gray, Space, Cinnamon, etc. from the developer options settings as manually selected options.
I fidgeted with icon shape, it sometimes fixes the problem when I restart the launcher, sometimes it doesn't and the shape is stuck.
I first introduced GCA Launcher 3 years ago as an inspirational project based on Chromium OS and over the years of development and continuous feedback from the userbase, GCA Launcher has evolved into a one of kind launcher experience that is now considered competitive against its own kind. GCA is not a traditional android grid homescreen launcher app but a single screen homescreen experience. We sacrifice the cluttered homescreen experience for a focused workspace where users can place apps that are apart of their daily routines while retaining the ability to access to important features like shortcuts, notifications, actions and personalization. The app drawer has been designed for a one handed experience while retaining the organization and filtering experience users need to search for apps that are important to them. Below, Il talk about sections of the launcher in more detail.
THE HOMESCREEN
The homescreen was designed for users who want the Pixel experience on their devices but also provide them with a simple tier experience that has no clutter, that is easy to understand, have full control and have access to some inhouse features that are unique to GCA. The Homescreen was designed for both the big screen and mobile scene. Users can pin as many apps to their Shelf as they want. You can do so by going into your app drawer, long pressing on an app to access its popup menu and select pin to shelf. This then creates a hotseat for that specific app sets a unique ID to that speicif hotseat so its protected against other possible replicas the user may create. This in turn opens a door in the future that will allow me to add Actions, Groups, and other possible actions I can allow users to add to the shelf. Users can choose between using GCA Launchers built in Quick Search Bar to bond to their shelf or choose a specific searchbar widget to bond to the shelf or hide it all together. To access the app drawer, users simply swipe up from the shelf to access the app list. Users are also able to use either GCA Launchers built in Widget that simply works as a search bar and displays the Google App and Chrome app shortcuts or use a specific widget of their choice. The homescreen also has a set of customizeable gestures the user can bond actions and shortcuts to.
LAUNCHER SHEETS
While developing GCA Launcher, I wanted something that spoke material design (Besides the Material You theming features baked in) that was unique to the launcher. The idea came about while browsing the Material Component website by google and Material Sheets caught my eye.
By default, GCA uses the Navigation Menu to display the launcher menu on the homescreen but I decided to take this a step further and tap into its full ability to display content. There are 2 types of sheets that function in GCA Launcher. App Sheets and Launcher Sheets. Launcher Sheets display content that can interact with the user while App Sheets display information regarding the target its referring to. For EX: After accessing the popup menu, selecting the hamburger menu in the quick action list in the popup will open te App Sheet of the selected application, this will display System Actions and Setting Information. Launchers Sheets display information like the Launcher Menu, Quick Search, Notifications and more to come. Launcher Sheets can be bonded to gestures to quickly access them and they dont interfere with your homescreen. Its very similar to the quick space in Action Launcher.
BADGES
GCA Launcher brings 4 different app badges to the table. Dots, Badge Counts, Underline and Dynamic.
Dots have been redesigned to behave abit differently than pixel launcher. As notification counts increase, the border of the Dot will get darker.
Underlines are just, well underlines...
Badge Counts will show the current count of active notifications for an app.
Dynamic Badges are something new. I wanted to create something similar to Nova Launcher but ofcourse from my own perspective. As notifications increase for an app, it monitors the notifications in the background and watches the notification icons used. The icon is than rendered as a badge and placed on the app.
ICON EDITING
I have not cut any corners when it comes to Icon Editing. From applying 2 different icon packs for your app drawer and your shelf, to editing labels and choosing specific icons from installed icons packs to crafting your own icon from an image in your gallery, their are all sorts of possibilities for Icon Management. GCA Launchers uses its own Adaptive Icon Rendering library to manipulate icons to any size, shape, dim and even creating material you themed icons on your Shelf.
LAUNCHER SETTTINGS
The launcher settings was the most interesting part about this project. I wanted a complete redesign. A complete do over. Something new and fresh. The Launcher settings was designed for both new users and existing users in mind. The Interface uses a Rail Navigation for the core categories most users are focused on while pressing on the navigation button will expand the Navigation Menu that allows the user to access even more settings for the launcher.
PRO FEATURES
GCA LAUNCHER IS NO LONGER AN ALL FREE LAUNCHER (As it used to be when it first launched). With the pandemic and everything else going on in my life, I had to make the choice to make GCA Launcher a profitable project. Unlike other premium launchers where the user buys a premium key and everything unlocks, GCA Launcher DOES NOT USE THIS APPROACH. Users can now buy individual pro features based on their needs and wants. I am working on ways to reward users with discounts and/or if you have purchased pledges in the past. Pledges are just donations and don't reward you with anything however I am working on getting pledged users discounts to reep benifits from. I am also working on discount days and special events to earn pro features. This is an entirely new direction for launchers, so yeah im a tad nervous about it but being the first launcher dev to approach this but im excited at the same time. Once you purchase a pro feature, it should unlock automatically from the launcher settings or just implement itself under the hood. If it doesnt seem to stick properly, reboot the launcher or make sure the pro feature has been purchased.
PRO FEATURES FOR NONE GOOGLE USERS
Some android devices around the world do not run off of google or just is not available and I understand this and am working very hard in the background to figure out a solution that will not be abused. I will have something for you in the future.
ANDROID GO VERSION
Coming soon!
Core Features
Launcher supports work profile apps and dual apps
Supports to indicate paused apps
Supports Action Dash system shortcut
Supoorts Sesame Searchbar in the Shelf
Launcher takes into consideration Full Screen Gestures and the Navigation Bar when needed to
Groups allow users to create organized folders of apps available in the Groups Sheet
Multi-tab search in the app drawer
While enabling Recent Apps and Groups in the app drawer, this will disable the section seeker view
Launcher Sheets are a new approach to menus and options for the launcher and apps.
The Shelf offers specific actions for apps that differ from the Drawer apps. One option in specific is the favorite action.
The Shelf and App Drawer apps will feature different system shortcuts and features in the app sheet. Long clicking on an app will make a popup menu appear, click the hamburger menu for a sheet menu
Apps can be edited in 2 options. The physical editing and the personal options. Personal options are in the launcher settings and allow options like icon sizes, label editing and shape shifting. Physical options can be found in the popup menu by clicking edit. This allows adaptive override, icon pack editing, scale and label editing.
The Shelf features a revised searchbar that can be toggled to the Top, Bottom or Removed completely. The searchbar features a shortcut to open the launcher menu, a global search feature, an assistant shortcut and has an option to store and track the usage of App Shortcuts to feature a recent actions holder.
Hide and Edit apps right from the popup menu
The App Drawer is built on a fastscroll functionality.
Recent Apps now uses Usage Stats Data. This gives Recent Apps a 100% reliable stat and not clutter up the app drawer when its not in use. The list will update on a regular basis.
The Shelf and App Drawer themes are based on a sheet style. They overlap each other creating some interesting twist to style.
App Shortcuts and Notifications for the current app appear in the popup menu
Active Notifications appear in app sheets showing users a preview of current notifications. Clicking on the notification will take you to that action. The notification sheet will display all your active notifications and snoozed notifications.
Users can manage a blacklist of notification badges
GCA Launcher does support Material Widgets in Android 12
Widgets can be resized by long clicking on them and a resize module will appear.
Material You theming powered by MonetCompat
Launcher settings features smart suggestions that appear on certain variables when available
Join the beta program to receive the newest build of GCA Launcher and to test new features before they officially release.
Links:
GCA Telegram Channel
GCA Telegram News Channel
Sign Up For Beta Program Web Android
GCA Launcher on Google Play
General Note:
This is a pre beta of which means parts of the launcher are not even functional yet. I did a pre beta to find errors i couldn't find myself and to get feedback on the progress we currently are at. If you see a page that is blank or something isn't functional, chances are it wasn't ready for the public yet. Please be patient with things.
Common Questions:
Why does GCA Launchers Adaptive icons behave so differently compared to the ones found in stock launchers?
-That is because the icons use a different mechanic and were made from scratch so everyone could enjoy adaptive icons and it not be exclusive to 7.1+ users. My icons can be modified from the icon to the shape override.
Can we get a launcher import option?
-No, not currently. Almost all launchers that exist use the base of Googles Launcher3 which adding an import option for them is easy. I would have to take the database, tear it apart, create a converter and place the data we need were it belongs. We are not there yet.
The System UI seems to behave differently from other apps.
-GCA Launcher has a theme engine similar to pixel launcher and trys to make the choice of a light or dark navbar or statusbar. Using Android10s dark mode may confuse things but eventually il have it all sorted out.
The launcher interface isn't what I expected. Shouldn't it behave like pixel launcher?
-No, it behaves like it should be. How it was designed.
Does it support quickswitch?
-It never will unless Google changes the api for the recents provider. I blame the lawnchair team of this common question as many users have assumed this is a premium feature now and should be supported by all launchers now which isn't the case.
Does this launcher support dark mode from android10?
-yes but we have some work todo yet
Why do things look weird in the launcher settings? Preference category is hard to read and matches the toolbar color.
-Try changing the color scheme in the style settings. This is the GCA theme engine at work.
Ratings:
If you post a rating for GCA Launcher coming from V1, more than likely i will dis regard it. V1 is being deprecated soon and all bugs and errors you will find in V1 on the playstore are being disregarded. V2 is a rewrite with new features and new bugs.
Bugs
Theming issues colliding with system
Some widgets dont' save initial setup data
Complex widgets are not currently supported
That's a ton of changes. Do you have any screenshots or screen recordings you can share?
MishaalRahman said:
That's a ton of changes. Do you have any screenshots or screen recordings you can share?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can most definitely do that
Screenshots of V2
I updated the build earlier to fix something for Android 8 users and ended up screwing something up for Android 9 users so il be keeping tabs on everything as much as possible but I will not be able to do anything if no one says anything. Please provide feedback as much as possible. Thank you in advanced.
Those of you keeping me informed of crashes, thank you, thank you, thank you
Newest build fixes problems with android 9 and 10 crashing in specific windows of the launcher
I just installed this and have only played with it for a few minutes. A couple things I have noticed.
The status bar icons and time take on the same color as the wallpaper. I installed and ran it with a white background. The status bar icons were white, when I changed to a black background they changed to black as well.
I can't get the size of the icons to save. When I go to settings>theme and style>launcher icon I change the size from small to normal but when you click ok and go back into the setting it says small again.
I also would get where the phone would default back to the stock launcher.
Maybe I didn't play around with it enough but how do you set apps on the dock?
I will mess with it some more tomorrow and let you know if I find anything else.
Also I am on a Pixel 4 XL on March update. Not rooted or unlocked
hatdrc said:
I just installed this and have only played with it for a few minutes. A couple things I have noticed.
The status bar icons and time take on the same color as the wallpaper. I installed and ran it with a white background. The status bar icons were white, when I changed to a black background they changed to black as well.
I can't get the size of the icons to save. When I go to settings>theme and style>launcher icon I change the size from small to normal but when you click ok and go back into the setting it says small again.
I also would get where the phone would default back to the stock launcher.
Maybe I didn't play around with it enough but how do you set apps on the dock?
I will mess with it some more tomorrow and let you know if I find anything else.
Also I am on a Pixel 4 XL on March update. Not rooted or unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shelf apps can be changed by long clicking on a Shelf favorite and their will be a Favorite option to select a different package. This option isn't available in the App Drawer apps so it might be easy to miss.
When changing the icon sizes, make sure your changing the icon size and bot just the text size. Both options are in one dialog.
Id your having a hard time switching out your default launcher, you can use my No'Me app i have listed above. It helps alot.
Nx Biotic said:
Newest build fixes problems with android 9 and 10 crashing in specific windows of the launcher
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Click to collapse
The app in your GDrive is (always) updated ?
Going to test your launcher by curiosity.
Thx !
BreckZeBoulay said:
The app in your GDrive is (always) updated ?
Going to test your launcher by curiosity.
Thx !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I keep both Gdrive and Telegram beta channel updated. I will be publishing the beta build on Playstore when i feel its stable enough. Right now, we constantly keep running into something that prevents me from doing so.
Hi, I was wondering if you could add an import feature?
I take a lot of time to setup my whole homescreen and it would be amazing to have an import feature. Thanks
I want to import my nova launcher setup to this launcher.
surya467 said:
Hi, I was wondering if you could add an import feature?
I take a lot of time to setup my whole homescreen and it would be amazing to have an import feature. Thanks
I want to import my nova launcher setup to this launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't happen because this launcher uses a different style and approach to the launcher scene. The most customization you will do in this launcher is color scheme and icon theming
Hi,
I was more curious and installed it in my android 8.0 with custom system UI colours (non rooted).
when I set as launcher, the system UI get restarted again and again. Finally, it ended up with Factory reset.
beautiful launcher ? works great on my old Nokia 8, on my Nova 5T not so much (cause Huawei) I'll watch the progress of this launcher from now on, thank you for this, Pledge doesn't work on the pre- beta
vpguru said:
Hi,
I was more curious and installed it in my android 8.0 with custom system UI colours (non rooted).
when I set as launcher, the system UI get restarted again and again. Finally, it ended up with Factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im currently investigating a launcher theme issue. Its crashing devices randomly. Your not alone
PaulDnoOb said:
beautiful launcher ? works great on my old Nokia 8, on my Nova 5T not so much (cause Huawei) I'll watch the progress of this launcher from now on, thank you for this, Pledge doesn't work on the pre- beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pledges should work. May depend on the google services version installed on your device. Thank you for your support.
Great launcher
Great launcher but it's a bit buggy for me on One UI. The header text is dark in the settings and also in app options when using dark mode and adaptive icons don't work properly for Samsung apps. The status bar also is dark on home screen and blends in with the wallpaper so it's hard to read. Also when you open the app drawer the shelf doesn't completely hide the app icons (the top portion is still visible). I don't know if that's by design but it looks weird. Search doesn't work (probably because I don't have the Google app installed but if that's the case I wish there was an option to disable it). Creating a widget causes the launcher to freeze, and it only recovers when I clear data and force stop. When you press and hold an icon, even if the side menu shows up partially, if you leave pressing the app, the app will launch. You have to wait for the side menu to completely open. That's not much of an issue once you get used it's behavior. It's an early build so the bugs are expected but I thought I will report them anyways.
ununununun said:
Great launcher but it's a bit buggy for me on One UI. The header text is dark in the settings and also in app options when using dark mode and adaptive icons don't work properly for Samsung apps. The status bar also is dark on home screen and blends in with the wallpaper so it's hard to read. Also when you open the app drawer the shelf doesn't completely hide the app icons (the top portion is still visible). I don't know if that's by design but it looks weird. Search doesn't work (probably because I don't have the Google app installed but if that's the case I wish there was an option to disable it). Creating a widget causes the launcher to freeze, and it only recovers when I clear data and force stop. When you press and hold an icon, even if the side menu shows up partially, if you leave pressing the app, the app will launch. You have to wait for the side menu to completely open. That's not much of an issue once you get used it's behavior. It's an early build so the bugs are expected but I thought I will report them anyways.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for your feedback