this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2024
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Android

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[–] [email protected] 153 points 9 months ago

"Do you still need to be allowed to decorate and modify your own home?"

Yes.

[–] [email protected] 56 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 53 points 9 months ago (1 children)

My Nova Launcher-config has survived in one form or another for 8+ years on multiple phones, so yes?

[–] [email protected] 22 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Too bad they sold out to a data analytics company

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I agree with you. I still use Nova, they had a solid update recently and my phone is feeling snappier than ever. It does concern me, however, that they're tracking every interaction with my phone now 😮‍💨

I'm normally very privacy centric - very conflicted about Nova Launcher because I like the launcher so much...

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

You could download an earlier version from before they were bought, it's what I'm doing. Still better than every other launcher I've tried. I'm also preventing it from accessing the internet via GrapheneOS settings, but I don't think every OS can do that.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Neo Launcher is decent, but it's definitely not in the same league as Nova yet in customizability.

I'm not sure why it's just about the only classic style FOSS launcher though. Everything else is some sorta search or widget based thing.

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 43 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 41 points 9 months ago (2 children)

If you want to do something crazy, like not have a search bar on your home screen, then yes.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

What does this mean? I don't have a search bar on my home screen, and I'm not using a third-party launcher.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Depends what phone you have - Pixels have a search bar on the home screen by default (not sure if they can be turned off on later models, maybe?)

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

This made me realize that I have a search bar on my home screen that I literally never use and I do use a third party launcher that it could be turned off. Very funny indeed

[–] [email protected] 37 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 33 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I recently got a Samsung device for work. I really gave the launcher a shot since I didn't want to tinker with it. But after 2 days I couldn't stand it anymore. So the answer to the post is yes!

[–] [email protected] 15 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Samsungs out of the box experience gives me anxiety to be honest. Had a few for work, luckily their singular purpose is running the authenticator app.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm using the Samsung S24 out of the box. What are you missing with it?

Curious, because I want to switch if there's good arguments to do so.

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (5 children)

unless you want android to turn into ios then yes

there's so much i can do in nova that i can't do in one ui or the pixel launcher

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[–] [email protected] 28 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 23 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Yes.

I've been using Niagara launcher. This launcher is has been great for larger screens and I can use the phone one handed.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 9 months ago (1 children)

This is a gross violation of Betteridge's law of headlines.

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)
[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago

Question makes no sense, it's a feature not a need. I have written a launcher for a specific usecase.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago

This a questiın that shouldn't be asked in the first place

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Yes even though android gestures are not working correctly with them and it's best to revert to 3 buttons navigation.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Works fine with Niagara. What exactly is it not doing right?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago

It's been years since this was an issue for any launcher still actively being updated, at least on the Poco and Fairphones I've had in that time.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

Let me guess. All the features you love from third-party launchers, except anything resembling privacy.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Yes they are still needed

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Yes absolutely. Nova forever but the version I used made split screen fail so I am back at the AOSP one which lacks in like everything.

  • instant search (launch keyboard)
  • searchbar always on bottom
  • rename and hide apps
  • search for contacts and more
[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago
[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Question is what data do launchers gather ? ig everything under the screen

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Default launchers need 'covers' functionality, where a folder is opened via swipe, and tapping just launched the first app in the folder without needing to open it. It's the main thing keeping me on custom launchers. That and icon packs.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

I guess I'm the only one that's stopped using a third party launcher.. After getting an S23 and being on One UI 6 I'm finding I'm not hating the stock launcher anymore. I was using Nova forever.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

I dislike my phone's stock launcher so I definitely need a third-party launcher.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

I mean no, I don't need a third party launcher, but I really don't want to use the stock one.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Yes and KISS

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Been using Action Launcher since it came out! My phone woukd be a completely different experience without it, and not for the better.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Need? No. Need? Yes!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

Ya. Cheaper androids come with annoying launchers, like no app drawer so all your apps are on your home screen.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (4 children)

Try Niagara. Long live 3rd party launchers.

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