KISS operates on a totally different paradigm than most launchers. Instead of having a grid of rearrangeable app icons, your home screen is simply a list of your most recently used applications (icon, name, and keywords). You also have a search bar where you can type to search for your application. This keyboard-focused launcher is very similar to how I open programs on desktop, so it is very welcome on mobile as well.
this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2023
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Niagara Launcher is also similar. I really like it so far, including the notification rollups. But I'm not sure it's worth $30 to me. Maybe...
I can't imagine using my phone without Niagara's pop-up menus anymore, it's become my favorite launcher for sure.
I can't live without KISS launcher anymore. It has just the right number of options and allows me to find and launch the app I want very quickly. Also, it resemble the way I am used to launch program on my desktop.
Thanks for the tip! I think I'll give KISS launcher a second try, because the first time I set it up, I found it annoying. Probably because I only used it for 5 minutes and then dropped it. :)
I just wish there were better appearance customization options.
Kvaesitso is gorgeous
Nice, another FOSS option! I'm going to give it a try.
It really is. It's super clean and I love the gestures. I just wish I could put some widgets or shortcuts on the home screen, it feels kind of empty to me. Definitely at the top of my list.
Found it a couple of days ago, it's gorgeous indeed.
But I switched back to Niagara because the animations felt a bit luggy, especially when the keyboard was showing up. Can't wait to try it again in the future.
Nova. I actually really like the One UI launcher anyway, but I'm just used to Nova. Mostly just the extra gestures and the bigger home grid. Not interested much in the cosmetic tweaks it's able to make.
But yeah, One UI is quite good too. I got used to it back when Android gesture nav didn't play nice with 3p launchers.
Thanks for posting this! It's super timely as I'm a long-time Nova Launcher Pro user but been experimenting with the Niagara Pro unlock. I think I like it, but I'm not sure I like it enough to spend $30 on it.
I have been using Smart Launcher 6 for quite a while. Some of its features that I really like are:
*categorized app drawer
*Smart widgets developed by the Smart Launcher team, such as the widget stack, music widget, notes, calendar events, icon group widgets…
*Smart Launcher has a fine positioning tool that allows you to move the widgets with very precise positioning so that you can put them exactly where you want them, it also allows you to resize them
*The news page, which you can either use Microsoft News or Google Feed
*Great search function, it will search for apps, web, contacts, calendar, settings, shortcuts, and Play store
You forget one. Dynamic theme. The launcher changes theme colors based on wallpaper color.
Yes, you're right! The launcher has so many great features, it's hard to name them all.
@Kevin11 I have been using https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/apk/app.lawnchair and it is small amd clean launcher.
I love Lawnchair! I've been using it for a while and if I don't find another alternative launcher, I'll probably just return to it. Or stock pixel launcher.
Any issues with the alpha build from 2022?
I initially tried the Play Store version and it almost replaced Nova but not quite. I think my autism and OCD makes these things harder for me.
I then tried the alpha build which was closer still but not quite. I want the dock icons to sit on the bottom of the screen, not one row up.
But thanks for the link, I'll keep an eye on any further developments.
NeoLauncher needs a top level comment here! It's a lifesaver after Nova was sold off to a marketing company!
So many FOSS launchers are trying this search based or text oriented thing and sorry, I can't stand it. I just need to be able to unlock my phone and hit an app icon from a grid of selected apps and web shortcuts on my home screen.
The default pixel like launcher that comes with my custom rom. If not niagra. The launcher scene is drying up nowadays
What ROM are you using?
crDroid
Currently pixel launcher cause I am not interested enough to try new launchers, pixel launcher is good BUT I'm interested in trying out those "minimalistic" ones, some of them look really nice as I'm all in for minimalistic designs
https://github.com/tanujnotes/Olauncher (also on Fdroid or Play stores).
It's just up to 8 slots of text only for favorite apps on the home screen. Swipe up to search apps, again, text only. Swipe left/right to open an assigned app (calendar and weather for me).
I wanted something without trackers on my GrapheneOS install. No more widgets and no more sorting, organizing, or looking for icons.
I got so sick of the generic grids and app drawers, but then I found Niagara Launcher and it's just the single coolest thing I've ever used.
I love the completely unique home screen, and I insanely love that each app icon can be swiped on and opened as a folder/access in-app shortcuts.
I really can't recommend it enough for anyone looking for something super far from the average cookie-cutter launcher templates.