Related
Right we all know that the launcher that will be coming with this beast of a phone will be Rosie. For me though i like to have a variety. So putting this thread together to give you guys a variety of Launchers i found on the market. So rather than having to find them all over the place i will keep everything here in one place and will try and find as many as i can and update the thread with any further updates the developers release for the launchers.
Apex Launcher
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Features include:
Customizable homescreen grid size and up to 9 homescreens
Scrollable dock with up to 7 icons per page and up to 5 pages
Infinite & elastic scrolling (homescreen, drawer and dock)
Fancy transition effects (tablet, cube, etc.)
Hide elements as you want (persistent search bar, status bar, or even the dock)
Customizable icons and labels for shortcuts and folders
Choose different folder preview styles and background
Multiple drawer styles (transparent/opaque, horizontal/vertical, paginated/continuous)
Drawer apps sorting (title, install date, mostly used)
Hide apps from the drawer
Lock your desktop to prevent accidental changes
Enjoy homescreen gestures (pinch, swipe up/down, double tap)
Advanced theme engine (icon packs, skins, etc.)
Backup/restore settings and data
Optimized for both phones and tablets
Lots of other customization options!
Nova Launcher
Features include:
Scrollable Dock (for Tablets and Phones)
Keep all your favorite apps on the dock, with up to 7 icons per page and up to 3 pages.
Customizable App Drawer:
Transparency
Scrolling style, choose between horizontal paginated or vertical continuous
Scroll Effects
Enjoy eye candy when scrolling your desktop and drawer. Effects include Cube and Cardstack and more for Prime users.
Infinite Scroll
Never be far from your favorite page, loop through your desktop continuously.
Folder Icons
You can chose a background, preview style or even replace the whole icon.
Backup/Restore
Export your settings and layout before a wipe to quickly get back up and running.
Widgets in dock
Add any 1x1 widget to the dock
Bulk Add
Add multiple apps to the desktop or a folder at once
Activities shortcut
Select hidden activities from your favorite apps
*Nova Launcher Prime Features (Paid version)*
Highly customizable, performance driven, home screen replacement for Android 4.0+
Nova Launcher Prime unlocks the following features in Nova Launcher:
Drawer Groups:
Folders in App Drawer
Unlimited custom tabs
Organize apps into tabs and folders in the app drawer
Gestures
Quickly start Nova Actions or Apps from gestures on the desktop, such as pinching, swiping or two-finger swiping.
Hide Apps
Keep a clutter free drawer by hidding never used apps.
Dock Swipes
Get more use out of your dock apps by setting swipe-actions
Unread Counts
Never miss an email. Unread count badges for SMS, Missed calls and Gmail. Counts show in the dock, desktop, drawer and folders.
More Scroll Effects
Zeam Launcher
Description
To add Applications grid shortcut, select Add > Shortcuts > Applications grid.
Try toggle Manage wallpaper if screen scrolling isn't smooth, select Preferences > Workspace > Manage wallpaper.
Zeam, thanks to its minimal aesthetic, not only looks fast but feels fast. It's also incredibly simple to use, and unlike the other launchers it actually works very well out of the box.
My favorite feature in Zeam is configurable gestures -- but not only can you bind swipe actions, like ADW, but you can also bind double tapping the screen and the Home hardware button to actions.
TSF Shell
Features:
Enable you to do multipul-operation, including auto-arragement, multipul-choices, add-to-folder, multipul-deleting, to the items by only one move of the finger. You can also check your folders in various ways.
TSF SHELL 3D has one app page and 4 personalized pages for our users. You can switch between pages by one click at the switch button in the lower left corner.
You can freely create one or more quicklinks for apps and drag them to any page. You can also distribute all the app icon (or even change their angles) freely in the personalized page.
The side column provides the most TSF Shell 3D charateristic widgets, including folders, contacts, music player, weather and so on.
The side column can be personalized as well, including changing the order and position of different catagories. You can create quicklinks of your most frequently used apps and contact in the quick launch in the side column.
TSF Shell 3D has a most powerful theme function. Apart from the difference in style, some themes even allow change in the transition animation.
Tips:
1. The folder where the application is less than 8, only to circle the icon into the folder.
2. The folder where the application is more than 8, only to drag the icon ftom the folder.
SSLauncher
Features
Decorate screen with a variety of styles for shortcuts and widgets.
Create a widget poping up when tap a shortcut.
Support formatted text for current date & time, missed calls and unread SMS/MMS messages.
Support scrollable widgets.
Easy and quick access to pages for contacts, bookmarks, application drawer, application group.
Many useful features of application drawer: app parcel(folder), showing/hiding app, marking star for favorites apps, changing application icon and name, uninstalling app and so on
Create application group and manage list by drag and drop.
Save and load your theme, page layouts and settings.
Convert the saved theme file to apk. (contact us by e-mail for more informations)
Hide status bar, open status bar by swiping down.
You can implement nice screen without launcher 7, dvr, minimalistic text, wp clock, clockr etc.
Go Launcher EX Launcher
Features:
Thousands of personalized themes
Various widgets and screen locks (weather, switcher, calendar…)
Extremely smooth transition animation
Smooth flipping operation
User-defined folder to easily categorize apps
Many options in preferences to help you customize you phone!
=Tips=
1. How to get themes, widgets and lockers?
a) Search ‘go launcher theme’, ‘go widget’ or ‘go locker’ in Android Market.
b) Use GO Store via menu button in GO Launcher.
2. How to set transition animation?
Use ‘Effects settings’ via button in GO Launcher.
3. Icons are too small?
Use ‘Icon Size’ option in ‘Preferences->Visual settings->Icons’ to make icons bigger.
3. Long press the app icon to enter editing mode on home screen and app drawer.
4. Glide up to open menu and glide down to pull down notification.
Launcher 7 Windows Phone 7 Style Launcher
Description and features
Unlike other current WP7 launchers (Windows Phone Android, Metro UI), this one allows you to properly modify your start screen. Just long press on a tile and drag tile where you want!
This version is free, but does have an ad in application list. Ad free donate version is available if you don't like the ad.
Also supported:
2 x 1 tiles
Original Windows Phone 7 backgrounds!
Freely configurable tile colors
Launcher options are available from Application List (press menu in app list)
Layout animations
Animated contacts tile! (still work in progress)
Windows 7 Launcher Pro has the following features:
1x1, 2x1 and 1x2 tiles with configurable colors
Widgets in a tile! (provided that widget fits)
Almost real like tile animation
Almost real like tile re-arrange mode
Almost real like status bar
Animated contacts tile (supports G+ synced contacts)
Pinnable contact-tile which animates like the real phone
Folder tiles
Webpage tiles
Picture hub (use with care, it needs memory!!!!)
Filterable application list
Stock wp7-like colors and color selection
CC3D Launcher
Description and features
CC 3D Launcher is a fashion, funny, cool "home replacement" app. It maximizes your user experience on your Android phone, with the newest Android 4.0 feeling.
Highlights:
Simple, Fast, Fluid, Powerful, Efficient, in High Definition
Features:
Android 4.0 Experience
Folder Management(overlay icons to create folder; drive-and-drop icons into folder; rearrange icons of folder)
3D effects: Full 360 degree rotation. Different animations and transitions. Zoom in, zoom out
Various screen transition animations
Apps'icons with special graphic effects
Widgets (weather, switch & monitor, calendar, slides, contacts, SMS, music, etc)
MIUI Home Launcher
Description and features
Optimization: substantially optimize drawing performance, and speed sliding screen switching experience
Optimization: significant reduction in memory size
Optimization: improve the speed of the initial start
Optimization: Improving Desktop to quickly switch design details to improve the animation efficiency
Fix: in some models, press the HOME key to unlock directly
Repair: the icon does not change after changing theme style
Repair: the cascade and the box to cut the screen effects
Fix: some models (NS 4.0.4, etc.) icon layout
Features:
Unique MIUI theme interface and gestures
8000+ Themes, Wallpapers and Ringtones available!
Support for up to 9 screens or more
Works on all NON-MIUI ICS 4.0 based devices.
SPB Shell 3DLauncher
Description and features
ADW Launcher
Description and features
ADW.Launcher, beyond tweaking your android desktop
Opensource home replacement app
Customizable application drawer (old one or iphone/galaxy one)
Customizable drag&drop action buttons
Unveil the Dockbar flicking-up the app-drawer button and drop UNLIMITED shortcuts/folders!
Themes
MXHome Launcher
Description and features
MX Home is an launcher application that is specialized in 3D effects on its 'Theme page'
It provides totally different experiences by highlights from 3D effects and creative ideas.
▣ Major Features
Dynamic 3D G-sensor movement
Various graphic & sound effects
Coffee bean poping-out effect by shake
3D water bubble background effect
Shortcuts for 8 major App.’s
Control tray
[Battery, Wi-Fi, BT & sound]
▣ Easy Management
Quick App. manager
*Edit / Info / Delete / Uninstall
Quck task manager
*Just touch on Smart Menu icon at workspace
*Close all application / View recent run
▣ Icon Pack
Workspace Array - 4*4, 5*5
Live icon effect - Zoon, Bounce, Rotation
▣ Dock Bar
MX Button - 3D MX theme open
Scroll type - Horizontal, Vertical
▣ MX Theme
Theme Change : Text -> Image
Theme Position : Up, Down, Left, Right
▣ Application
User Icon' dock menu
*enables a user to change icons at dock menu
Smart menu
*sort by Categrory / ABC / Date
View of memory usage
▣ Icon Pack
Workspace Array - 4*4, 5*5
Live icon effect - Zoon, Bounce, Rotation
▣ Dock Bar
MX Button - 3D MX theme open
Scroll type - Horizontal, Vertical
▣ MX Theme
Theme Change : Text -> Image
Theme Position : Up, Down, Left, Right
Lightning Launcher
Description and features
Lose the fat, keep the muscle. Be warned, Lightning Launcher is on steroïds.
Lightning Launcher: Lose the fat, keep the muscle. Be warned, this launcher is on steroïds.
Tips, please read this first:
Use "LLW App Widget" if you want to add Android widgets.
This app is started through the HOME key and not from your app drawer since LL is itself a launcher. If you cannot select it through the HOME key then you need to clear the defaults for your current launcher.
for any question or suggestion, do not hesitate to ask: [email protected]
This application has been designed to minimize memory usage and be fast: the more memory you have for your applications, the faster they will run. In other words Lightning Launcher has been built from the ground to preserve your phone's resources and keep it smooth.
In spite of its ridiculously small size (less than 60kb!), Lightning Launcher is packed with a fair amount of features and brings to Android a very unique concept: the home screen can be seen as a giant surface on which you are free to put icons, shortcuts or widgets exactly where YOU WANT, and not limited to a 4x4 grid. Pinch to zoom in or out the desktop, use the home key to switch between a full scale view or the normal size, or double tap on empty space as in the web browser to immediately see all your icons. And everything stay functional whatever the zoom level is: widgets are alive, icons can be clicked, and so on.
Lightning Launcher drops rarely used features and focuses on useful ones but comes nevertheless with numerous customization options. Icons and widgets can be moved, scaled and even rotated freely. Each object can be configured independently, you can change the font, the label, the icon and much more !
The package is extremely small, only a few kilobytes. What it means is that the Android system do not need to load several megabytes to run this app. Lightning Launcher starts faster and run in perfect harmony with your other apps.
For people kindly asking why the CALL_PHONE permission is needed (notice that this the only one needed by LL!): this is needed for direct call shortcuts, and this permission is included in all major launchers, including Go and Pro.
For other people not asking why and putting stupid one star comments: go away, you have just lost a unique chance to try something new and better, have a good day.
DXHome Launcher
Description and features
DXHome, a highly customized launcher replacement app., is a perfect launcher for Android phones. It is created by the Dianxinos Enterpriser team in Innovation Works invested by Dr. Kaifu Lee. Highly customizable with various themes, colorful desktop transitions, easy operating……, just like its name in Chinese, Dianxin is making the home of your Android phone colorful and enjoyable!
What could you get from DXHome?
So many themes to enjoy!
Want your phone to change with your mood?! Try themes we designed for you!
DXHome presents its first six themes of totally different styles!
NO.1 Dianxin Default Desktop Theme--- it is peaceful, clear, warm……, all the nice feelings DXHome wants you to feel. Name it by yourself. It’s our gift~^-^~
NO.2 Midsummer Theme--- get fidgety from the hate outside? Pick some cool and fresh air here!
NO.3 Cake Theme--- are you a foody? How about some candy and cakes now~^-^~ Try it and tell us how it’s like? DXHome is “cooking” more and more for you if you like~
NO.4 Batman— a big Batman fan? Here he comes! COOL!
NO.5 Clothing— want your phone to be cute? DXHome makes suit for your icon! Try it on!
NO.6 Tree & Shadow— at the end, come and sit down beside the tree, just enjoy the peaceful nightfall now.
Espier Launcher
Description and features
Espier Launcher is the best launcher for your smartphone
Espier Launcher is a desktop for your smartphone or tablet which is based on Android 2.2 or later. It brings you an entirely new interaction experience, and makes your smartphone and/or tablet to be different from the rest.
Main Features
Simplified Menu
Rename and hide the apps
Theme manager
Icons arrange
Internet
Support android 4.0
EZ Launcher
Description and features
EZ Launcher, the most convenent way to operate your phone.
EZ Launcher(beta) is coming, a cool home replacement app, with the most convenient way to operate & organize your phone.
#Features:
Genius app list brings you the app you most want
Auto category can help you automatically categorize your apps
Quick app search to find the app you want in app list directly
Pre-loaded app manager tool with all task manager, uninstaller, app2sd and etc functions in one place
Useful and handy widgets: Clock & Weather Widget, Task Manager Widget, SMS Widget, Switch Widget, Bookmark Widget, Calendar Widget
Hide folders page, hide apps in app drawer
LauncherPro
Description and features
Simple. Powerful. Fast. Customizable.
If you can't open it, download "ClearDefaultHome" or "Home Switcher"
- Super-smooth scrolling
- Animated screen previews (like Exposé or HTC Sense)
- Up to 7 home screens
- App drawer (2D and 3D!) with a fly-in effect and smooth scrolling
- Scrollable shortcut dock
More to come.
Download Links
Links
Apex Launcher: Link to download
Nova Launcher: Link to download
SSLauncher: Link to download
Zeam Launcher: Link to download
TSF Shell Launcher: Link to download
Go Launcher EX: Link to download
Launcher 7 Windows phone 7 Style Launcher: Link to download Pro Version - Link to download free version
CC3D Launcher: Link to download
MIUI Home Launcher: Link to download
SPB Shell 3DLauncher: Link to download
MXHome Launcher: Link to download
ADW Launcher: Link to download
Lightning Launcher: Link to download
EZ Launcher: Link to download
DXHome Launcher: Link to download
Espier Launcher: Link to download
LauncherPro: Link to download
Special Link for a more detailed description for launchers here. There you can read a more detailed description of a variety of Launchers from GB to ICS and what are the pros and the cons.
Many thanks to Ohamn for the link and for taking the time to writing that article.
Lockscreen collection with download links
Widgetlocker
Description and features
WidgetLocker is a lock screen replacement that puts you in control of the look, feel and layout of your lock screen.
Drag and Drop placement of Sliders, Android Widgets and App Shortcuts
Sliders look selectable from built-in styles (Ice Cream Sandwich, Gingerbread, Sense and Sense 3, Motorola, iPhone, and Rotary) or from user-themes.
Slider Actions can be customized, for example Slide-to-launch-Camera or Slide-to-call-your-Girlfriend.
Resizable widgets and custom grid size
Notification badges on apps/sliders via TeslaUnread (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.notifier )
Customize which widgets/buttons are allowed or blocked at the lock screen
Download Link: Here
MagicLocker
Description and features
Magic Locker is most colorful and simple lock screen app for Android! Various of lock screen Themes to match your style and make your mobile outstanding!
Features:
Shortcut Customization
More Theme Customization(like position,alpha,skin,show/hide somethings)
Activate phone, SMS ,Camera and other shortcuts directly from lock screen;
Screen Lock Security
Support customise wallpaper and live wallpaper.
Support customise date format
Support system security pattern (settings->Location and security->Set up screen lock. For HTC: Settings-> Security->Set up screen lock)
Block Home Key
Support to enable/disable volume rocker wake up screen
Support to send Email, mak phone call, open URL ect. directly on lockscreen.
Support to pull down notification bar
The Magic Locker Main App just includes one theme - 'Lost Robot', as the default theme,
Download Link: Here
GoLocker
Description and features
Features:
1. Cool Locker Screen that makes your phone outstanding;
2. Good compatibility with GO Launcher EX and it is stable;
3. Easy to use;
4. Able to activate phone, SMS and Camera directly or you can change the slider shortcuts yourself;
5. Various of Locker Themes to match your style;
6. Support customise wallpaper;
7. Security locker;
8. Emergency unlock enabled;
Tips:
1. Make sure GO Launcher EX V2.58 or above has been installed;
2. Click “MENU—-Preferences—-Theme Settings—-GO Locker” to use it after installed;
3. Click “My locker” to preview and Download more Locker themes;
Download Link: Here
No Lock
Description and features
Tired of the lock screen?
Use your phone as quickly as possible, with No Lock!
Tired of the lock screen?
If you want to use your phone as quickly as possible, this app is for you.
It simply disables the lock screen. Press the unlock/menu button just once and the screen turns on immediately.
Download Link: Here
More Launchers have been added to OP and links have been added in Post 2.
Enjoy
GoLocker added to post 3 guys
Nice, you should be a recognized contributor..
torxx said:
Nice, you should be a recognized contributor..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi ya. thank you for your kind words but i got declined for it.
excellent thread, i didn't even know all these options exist.
did you forget LauncherPro?
as far as a personal reccomendation - on the One S I've used ADW, GoLauncher, Zeam, Apex, Nova, and LauncherPro - and my favorite is GoLauncher. The power of the One S hardware makes GoLauncher's effects and visual style work fluidly and look great. It balances speed and customization VERY well.
chim4ira312 said:
excellent thread, i didn't even know all these options exist.
did you forget LauncherPro?
as far as a personal reccomendation - on the One S I've used ADW, GoLauncher, Zeam, Apex, Nova, and LauncherPro - and my favorite is GoLauncher. The power of the One S hardware makes GoLauncher's effects and visual style work fluidly and look great. It balances speed and customization VERY well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will add LauncherPro for you now my friend.
for me honestly i prefer Apex after Rosie to be honest
EDIT: LauncherPro added to OP and post 3 for download
Goku80 said:
hi ya. thank you for your kind words but i got declined for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will talk to the people again, you deserve it.
torxx said:
I will talk to the people again, you deserve it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can try but i do not think they will..but no harm in trying..thank you again..anyway it is not about a status my friend it is about helping out each other and this is my way of thanking xda for the many awesome stuff they develop and make my phone even awesome
Wow you put a lot into this thanks for all the information I really didn't know all those launchers are available.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
ickedmel said:
Wow you put a lot into this thanks for all the information I really didn't know all those launchers are available.
Sent from my HTC VLE_U using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me neither to be honest but trust me looks like there are loads more we have not seen yet
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
New Lockscreen (with a twist) added to post 3. Video included to give you guys better explanation of what i am talking about.
Hope you guys like the twist in that lockscreen and hit the thanks as well if you want.
How to remove menu dots...
chim4ira312 said:
excellent thread, i didn't even know all these options exist.
did you forget LauncherPro?
as far as a personal reccomendation - on the One S I've used ADW, GoLauncher, Zeam, Apex, Nova, and LauncherPro - and my favorite is GoLauncher. The power of the One S hardware makes GoLauncher's effects and visual style work fluidly and look great. It balances speed and customization VERY well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been a fan of Go Launcher from the begining, on my old Desire. Just loaded to One S and cannot seem to get rid of the ICS 3 dot menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
Really annoying. Is there a option to hide this somewhere?
Thanks in antici.........pation.
Mark
Android_Mark said:
I've been a fan of Go Launcher from the begining, on my old Desire. Just loaded to One S and cannot seem to get rid of the ICS 3 dot menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
Really annoying. Is there a option to hide this somewhere?
Thanks in antici.........pation.
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, just take a look in the One S development section!
You can get rid of the 3-dot menu by using the mod "tweak machine" which you can find here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1683552
Or take a look at the custom roms, if you want to improve the usability of your one S in general...
Nice thing I have to try it
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app
This is for all launchers...Well the most popular ones like GO/Apex and Nova..
My favorite theme for a launcher i have to admit
Sphere Theme -
Presenting the new theme Sphere
-1400 icons
Selected it in the theme manager of your favorite launcher.
Question!
Hi! I am using ssLauncher and I love it! I want to convert my zip theme into an .apk file. Do you know how to do it?
Thanks for the great post!
despeinada said:
Hi! I am using ssLauncher and I love it! I want to convert my zip theme into an .apk file. Do you know how to do it?
Thanks for the great post!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
god i have not used android since the start of the year...have you searched for apk tools but anyway hope the following link helps
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sour...espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=converting zip files to apk
Swipepad is an awesome app that lets you swipe from a specified edge of the screen which brings up a page of user specified apps (in the desired order) up to 42 apps per page (via paid addon). You can even have different pages when swiping from a different portion of the screen edge. The app itself is free and allows up to 6x4 grid without the aforementioned addon.
In my search I have yet to find any other app that allows you to access such a huge number of apps - from anywhere - with only a single swipe from the edge of the screen to the app which you want. I took all the apps in my homescreens and put them on a big Swipepad page (using 6x5 grid) which allows me to use only one dockless homescreen with my only two widgets. I also disabled the lockscreen
[edit] I'm not the dev or anything, just sharing this cool app that I found =D
Link
My only issue with this app is that on some occasions an app opened from Swipepad can take up to 3 seconds to open, with a Toast message stating Starting [App Name]. Does anyone know how I can fix this delay by perhaps increasing CPU priority for this app or other means? I'm beyond interested in finding a solution. Might even chase down the dev and offer a big bounty for a fix.
[Android 2.1+] Ray Sidebar Launcher
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Stylish and extremely easy to use, Ray lets you access and multitask between your favorite apps and from anywhere by simply swiping your finger from the edge of the screen. Ray and its premium version (Ray Pro) have clean minimalistic design and all the functionalities you need to customize your tailor-made, fast and hassle-free multitasking sidebar.
Features include:
- Add your favorite apps and shortcuts
- Add "actions" such as: app drawer, toggle Wi-Fi, toggle mobile data, screen brightness, etc.
- Organize your items (apps, shortcuts and actions) in folders*
- Easily rearrange items and remove unwanted ones
- Option to remain open after launching apps and shortcuts - for even faster multi-tasking
- Many others
*The free version of Ray is limited to 8 items or 7 items + 1 folder with up to 8 additional items in the folder
Ray Pro additional features:
- No advertising button (“Free apps”)
- Unlimited number of apps, shortcuts, actions and folders
- Choose between left or right sidebar alignment
- Adjust the text size and color of the item labels
- Add “Running apps” action with task management functionality (kill unwanted apps)
- Icon pack support (load app icons from ADW, Apex, Nova and some Go Launcher themes and icon packs)
- Unread counts for: missed calls, unread SMS and emails as well as any app that displays notifications, including: WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Viber, etc.
Ray on Google Play Store
Ray Pro on Google Play Store
Follow my future projects: here
Change log:
Code:
[B]1.2.1 (12.Nov.2013):[/B]
- Added: links to an extensive online tutorial and FAQ under Settings -> Help
- Fixed: Changes after renaming folders or selecting custom icons do not show up immediately
- Fixed (Ray Pro only): The short general tutorial tells the user to swipe from the left edge of the screen, even if sidebar position is set to Right
[B]1.2.0 (10.Nov.2013):[/B]
- Revamped Edit mode interface for removing/arranging items and renaming folders
- Edit mode performance optimizations
- Added (Ray Pro only): user selectable icons for apps, shortcuts, actions
- Reorganized settings
- Improved tutorials
- Fixed (Android 2.1 to 4.0): Pressing the Home button does nothing when the sidebar is open
- Fixed (Android 2.X): Bad sidebar size after folder rename
- Fixed (Android 2.X): Swipe area not visualized properly
- Compiled with Android 4.4 KitKat SDK
- Stability improvements
[B]1.1.1 (20.Oct.2013):[/B]
- Fixed: Problems with swipe area height on Aquos Phone Serie SHL22 and other devices.
[B]1.1.0 (17.Oct.2013):[/B]
- Added: option to automatically close the sidebar after a specified time of inactivity
- Added: user selectable folder icon backgrounds (circle, rounded rectangle, rectangle and custom)
- Fixed: unable to change sidebar background color while in landscape mode
- Fixed: flashlight not working on Nexus 10 and other devices
- Fixed: Android 4.3+ only: Tapping on notification not opening app settings
- Changed: icon margins now depend on the selected sidebar width
- Changed: smaller minimum for sidebar width
[B]1.0.0 (12.Oct.2013):[/B]
Initial release
looks very great. :good:
Very nice app first of all I will give you my personal input from a consumers view. Overall it's a really nice app with a few features the other sidebars lack as in custom icon packs ability along with the ability to rearrange, those are awesome abilities! Where it's lacking is the ability to see running apps indicater and the ability to close them by swiping them away as the others offer, once this feature is added I believe this puts this sidebar in the front runners position. A main feature they all lack because of 4.3 I might add is the ability to hide the app notification from the notification panel. I understand that it needs to be there so the launcher doesn't close the app but there has to be a way to hide that without closing the app. I remove it in settings/app by unchecking the box but eventually the launcher will close the app by default. Once that's accomplished by whichever sidebar that does it will lead the pack hands down! I have purchased two already and I'm going to go purchase yours now, I tried the free version but goodluck to you and this great app!
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
olorolo said:
Very nice app first of all I will give you my personal input from a consumers view. Overall it's a really nice app with a few features the other sidebars lack as in custom icon packs ability along with the ability to rearrange, those are awesome abilities! Where it's lacking is the ability to see running apps indicater and the ability to close them by swiping them away as the others offer, once this feature is added I believe this puts this sidebar in the front runners position. A main feature they all lack because of 4.3 I might add is the ability to hide the app notification from the notification panel. I understand that it needs to be there so the launcher doesn't close the app but there has to be a way to hide that without closing the app. I remove it in settings/app by unchecking the box but eventually the launcher will close the app by default. Once that's accomplished by whichever sidebar that does it will lead the pack hands down! I have purchased two already and I'm going to go purchase yours now, I tried the free version but goodluck to you and this great app!
Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you for your support!
The paid version has an "action" called "Running apps". You can add it by: (+) button -> Actions -> Running Apps
It lists all currently running apps and lets you kill unwanted ones by swiping them away.
I decided to implement it this way, because in my opinion it's less cluttered and it's usually faster to kill an app. If for example you put the "Running apps" on top of the sidebar, you can reach all running apps with a single tap. Otherwise, if you have added a lot of apps, you would have to scroll down and look for the active ones.
About the notification icon - unfortunately it is a matter of how Android is designed.
As you probably know already, prior to Android 4.3 apps were allowed to show fake (invisible) notification to prevent being killed, but Google changed that in 4.3, because they believe it's best for the user to be notified when something is running continuously in the background...
It's not possible to guarantee that Android will not kill the app when there is no notification and the app is currently not shown on the screen, because in that situation the app is considered to be running in background mode and Android decides that it is not critical if the app is killed.
After killing it Android (may) eventually automatically start the app again when there is more RAM available, but from my experience it takes more than 10 minutes for Android to restart the app, which is unacceptable for the user.
The developer can request from the operating system to try to (re-)launch the app let's say once every 60 seconds or even less, but this can significantly increase battery usage :/
In Ray I used the least intrusive approach that is currently possible - using low priority notification that does not show up in the statusbar. I may also add an option to completely disable the notification for Android 4.3+ devices, but of course if disabled, Android can decide to kill the app at any time.
I have added a direct download link in the first post for those of you who don't have the Gogle Play Store on their devices.
For those who tried the app - please share your thoughts on ways of improvement and possible problems
Thank you!
That´s my old friend ra3al... absolutely wonderful!!!! :good:
Best Xda developer for sure!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi ra3al,
First thanks for this wonderfull sidebar launcher!
I am testing it and found very usefull, but I think that you should add also the possibility to have a dock bar (by default available) and this will be the future laucher: most used apps on dock like phone, sms and app drawer, and favourite apps and shorcuts in sidebar.
Without that option everyone will keep his launcher...
What do you think?
Some Requests....
I just purchased the Pro version of your sidebar launcher to test it out, because I love the quick access launchers of this type. Just a couple of things that I would like to see added...... First is the "Width" of the Sidebar feature only lets me reduce it to a certain width and stops, but when you open the sidebar the icons are almost half that width in size. I would like to shrink/reduce the sidebar width down very thin, to just about the width of the smallest icons that show. If you put the width slider all the way down to the smallest point, it should then go just a little bit further.
Also, I mainly decided to try your sidebar because of the "Folder" option. Most sidebars don't allow the setup of folders, I really like this option, but I was disappointed when I found that I could NOT set a Custom Icon for the Folder itself. The sidebar allows using Icon Sets, but I can't select a custom icon for the Folder. Please add this Feature to allow us to choose our Folder icons. it would really complete this app.
The last thing I noticed was a problem....the instructions mentioned something about long pressing an icon then swiping out of the sidebar to Delete the icon. This does NOT work for me at all. I have not found any way whatsoever, to Delete an app icon that I already placed in the bar.
or am I missing something.........
I'll post again after using this for a little while.
Great Work Awesome
Thanks to dev for amazing app - that's what I miss on my device!
But I have a prob when type somewhere with software keyboard (I've just decide that must re-calibrate screen but suddenly realize what's happens).
Far left side of keyboard like letters A, Q and number 1 are NOT USABLE because they are under the sidebar ?
It's checked and approved if I close Sidebar keyboard works as expected.
Please @ra3al solve this little but frustrating bug.
TopperBG said:
Thanks to dev for amazing app - that's what I miss on my device!
But I have a prob when type somewhere with software keyboard (I've just decide that must re-calibrate screen but suddenly realize what's happens).
Far left side of keyboard like letters A, Q and number 1 are NOT USABLE because they are under the sidebar ?
It's checked and approved if I close Sidebar keyboard works as expected.
Please @ra3al solve this little but frustrating bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for support! and I'm glad you like the app
Yes, this is a known problem and there is a (partial) solution. I guess I should mentioned it in the initial tutorial.
OK, you need to go to the settings of the app (either by long-pressing the (+) button in the sidebar, or tapping the Ray / Ray Pro icon in your normal launcher.
Then go to: Swipe area settings -> Width and height and reduce the height, so that the swipe area does not overlap your soft keyboard. (Or you can also reduce the width - make the swipe area still full height, but thinner, so that it does not cover the leftmost buttons in the keyboard, but keep in mind that if you make it too thin, it may stop recognizing your swipes).
If you are using both Ray and Ray Pro - you have to do these changes for both apps :/
While you are in the Swipe area settings the swipe area will be painted in magenta color, in order to let the user visualize where on the screen it actually is and how big it is, in all other situations the swipe area is completely transparent.
The swipe area is always positioned on top of all other programs (besides the lock screen app). Unfortunately it's not possible to position it below the soft keyboard, and that is the reason, you need to resize the swipe area.
The swipe area is necessary for detecting your swipes from the edge of the screen, and as you already realized, the app that is bellow it cannot receive touch events in that specific region.
BTW in Ray Pro, if you set Swipe area settings -> Horizontal alignment to Right the sidebar will be positioned on the right edge of the screen and is activated by swiping from the right edge. And if you want, you can have Ray on the left side and Ray Pro on the right side running simultaneously.
Sorry for the long post
wuzdat said:
I just purchased the Pro version of your sidebar launcher to test it out, because I love the quick access launchers of this type. Just a couple of things that I would like to see added...... First is the "Width" of the Sidebar feature only lets me reduce it to a certain width and stops, but when you open the sidebar the icons are almost half that width in size. I would like to shrink/reduce the sidebar width down very thin, to just about the width of the smallest icons that show. If you put the width slider all the way down to the smallest point, it should then go just a little bit further.
Also, I mainly decided to try your sidebar because of the "Folder" option. Most sidebars don't allow the setup of folders, I really like this option, but I was disappointed when I found that I could NOT set a Custom Icon for the Folder itself. The sidebar allows using Icon Sets, but I can't select a custom icon for the Folder. Please add this Feature to allow us to choose our Folder icons. it would really complete this app.
The last thing I noticed was a problem....the instructions mentioned something about long pressing an icon then swiping out of the sidebar to Delete the icon. This does NOT work for me at all. I have not found any way whatsoever, to Delete an app icon that I already placed in the bar.
or am I missing something.........
I'll post again after using this for a little while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your support and feedback!
About the option to use custom folder icons - I am almost done with implementing this feature - it will be available in the next version together with a couple of bug fixes - I will release it today or tomorrow.
For sidebar width - I am also going to improve it in the next version - please let me know if it's OK, after the you try the updated version.
For deleting items - when trying to swipe away the item you want to delete, are you putting your finger on the grabber handle button? If so, that's the reason it does not work for you (the grabber handle can only be used for moving an item up or down in the list). You have to put your finger on the app/shortcut/etc. icon.
Maybe I should make a short video that shows how to delete items and somehow improve the tutorial.
DanielFran said:
Hi ra3al,
First thanks for this wonderfull sidebar launcher!
I am testing it and found very usefull, but I think that you should add also the possibility to have a dock bar (by default available) and this will be the future laucher: most used apps on dock like phone, sms and app drawer, and favourite apps and shorcuts in sidebar.
Without that option everyone will keep his launcher...
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestion. Do you mean - a horizontal sidebar (bottombar) that will be activated by swiping from the bottom? Or one that is constantly visible?
ra3al said:
Thanks for your support and feedback!
About the option to use custom folder icons - I am almost done with implementing this feature - it will be available in the next version together with a couple of bug fixes - I will release it today or tomorrow.
For sidebar width - I am also going to improve it in the next version - please let me know if it's OK, after the you try the updated version.
For deleting items - when trying to swipe away the item you want to delete, are you putting your finger on the grabber handle button? If so, that's the reason it does not work for you (the grabber handle can only be used for moving an item up or down in the list). You have to put your finger on the app/shortcut/etc. icon.
Maybe I should make a short video that shows how to delete items and somehow improve the tutorial.
Thanks for your suggestion. Do you mean - a horizontal sidebar (bottombar) that will be activated by swiping from the bottom? Or one that is constantly visible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean have the possibility to have a bottombar that could:
- by default: be visible (fixed on bottom like other launchers) without the needs of swiping from the bottom
- have the possibility to not be visible and needs swiping from the bottom to appears
- have the possibility to not be available
If you implement the bottombar, you should also add an option to slidbar not be available also!
Thanks
DanielFran said:
I mean have the possibility to have a bottombar that could:
- by default: be visible (fixed on bottom like other launchers) without the needs of swiping from the bottom
- have the possibility to not be visible and needs swiping from the bottom to appears
- have the possibility to not be available
If you implement the bottombar, you should also add an option to slidbar not be available also!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I might add this feature or something similar in a future version I also want to add an option to have widgets in another sidebar (in the Pro version) in the future.
Meanwhile, I have released an update for both Ray and Ray Pro
This is the change log:
1.1.0 (18.Oct.2013):
- Added: option to automatically close the sidebar after a specified time of inactivity
- Added: user selectable folder icon backgrounds (circle, rounded rectangle, rectangle and custom)
- Fixed: unable to change sidebar background color while in landscape mode
- Fixed: flashlight not working on Nexus 10 and other devices
- Fixed: Android 4.3+ only: Tapping on notification not opening app settings
- Changed: icon margins now depend on the selected sidebar width
- Changed: smaller minimum for sidebar width
More User Input...
It is very much appreciated that you made some of the updates & changes that myself & others have requested. That's a very good way to get & keep loyal users & have them spread good news about your app. I really like the new features & options in this last update. After using it a little while with the updates I only saw 2 more little things that I feel need to be added/changed..... Now that the sidebar width is modified & we can reduce it pretty small, we really need the ability to change/customize the Icon size. Every person has a different view of how big/small their own icons should be and how big/small the sidebar should be. Since the sidebar width is now easily customized, please give us the ability to customize our Icon Sizes also. I personally want a small sidebar width but enlarge the icons enough to where they aren't "tiny", as I don't use icon labels either.
The 2nd thing is Custom Icons for all shortcuts/apps, since we can choose a custom Icon Pack for the entire sidebar, a lot of apps aren't included in the Icon Packs. So we end up with half custom icons and half regular app icons. But if it was like our Launchers where we can choose an icon pack but then select individual apps & choose Custom icons, we can make our entire sidebar match.
Please consider these 2 features also in an upcoming update.
Thanx again for the great app!
wuzdat said:
It is very much appreciated that you made some of the updates & changes that myself & others have requested. That's a very good way to get & keep loyal users & have them spread good news about your app. I really like the new features & options in this last update. After using it a little while with the updates I only saw 2 more little things that I feel need to be added/changed..... Now that the sidebar width is modified & we can reduce it pretty small, we really need the ability to change/customize the Icon size. Every person has a different view of how big/small their own icons should be and how big/small the sidebar should be. Since the sidebar width is now easily customized, please give us the ability to customize our Icon Sizes also. I personally want a small sidebar width but enlarge the icons enough to where they aren't "tiny", as I don't use icon labels either.
The 2nd thing is Custom Icons for all shortcuts/apps, since we can choose a custom Icon Pack for the entire sidebar, a lot of apps aren't included in the Icon Packs. So we end up with half custom icons and half regular app icons. But if it was like our Launchers where we can choose an icon pack but then select individual apps & choose Custom icons, we can make our entire sidebar match.
Please consider these 2 features also in an upcoming update.
Thanx again for the great app!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have plans about adding both of these features, but I am not completely sure about the first one, but I will probably add it. thanks
I appreciate a dev paying attention to the users requests & suggestions, a lot of the time its the people actually using the app that have the best suggestions for improving an app. But a lot of devs seem to ignore them...thanx for actually paying attention to your users & very much appreciate any of the suggested options that you can make.
Sent from my LG-VM696 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Wow, new app from ra3al, nice work. One request in action button. Can you add switch screen off button? I'd love to turn my screen off from the side drawer.
Sent from my SO-04D using xda app-developers app
Awesome App!!!
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?
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?
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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
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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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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 !
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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Thank you for your feedback