Of all the apps you can install on your new Android phone, a solid app launcher can be the biggest transformation in your user experience, unlocking depths of customization most OEM-provided solutions are only starting to fathom. Talk to any enthusiast who’s watched the launcher scene, and they may point you to older, reliable options like Nova Launcher and Smart Launcher as a good starting point.
Smart Launcher is around 12 years old, and that’s a long time to keep a passion project up and running. We blocked some quality time with the app’s creator, Vincenzo Colucci, to understand his perspective on what it takes to stay relevant as an older Android launcher, especially since the app segment is more competitive now.
there are tons of open-source launchers that have caught my interest, but none of them are as bare-bones as my SL config.
i have none of the listed features, i am also (apparently) missing adaptive icons, “smart” widgets, folders, and “ultra immersive mode”. not that they have managed to tell me why i need them.
There are lots of pro features in Smart launcher. I checked and found too many to list here
If you do not have Smart screen off, Blur background, wallpaper 3D, smart widgets, folders, ultra immersive mode. You are missing out. You could check LawnChair Alpha version if you only care about a minimal barebones launcher experience. But, you mentioned trying tons of open-source launchers so you already did.
looks like some of these are included in the old license, like custom sorting and categories, and extra widget pages (i don’t really use widgets).
lawnchair actually wasn’t on my radar, mostly because it’s not in the f-droid default repo. i recently added in izzyondroid and it popped up. unfortunately it has no app categories and no way to customize gestures so it’s out. thanks for the suggestion though.