so I finally got the motivation to install lineage os to my phone after thinking about it like year. and now that I finally modified this phone I started thinking about ricing this phone a bit. I’m looking for a launcher that isn’t too minimalistic and with a decent amount of customization. kinda like kde bit you know… stable. any suggestions?

  • BearOfaTime@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    Sadly, none.

    I’ve tried many over the years (15 years now!), and while some do work “better” than stock, there aren’t really any that use a different paradigm or concept (Maybe Square Home by chyk).

    I don’t find the home screen/desktop concept to be very useful (same with computers). I get the idea, and it should be very useful - it just isn’t, to me🤷🏼

    The number one thing I do is switch apps - so for years I used Simple Task Switcher as my launcher, because it was way faster than the native Switcher, and it provided screens for favorites and shortcuts.

    Fortunately the Android app switcher has finally caught up and become quick and sensible (and unfortunately Simple Task Switcher no longer works due to changes). I do like the task switcher today.

    The other problem with the home screen is the delay implemented in Android when you go home, which I find really annoying. This was intentional (not sure why, maybe because way back on early phones it gave the system time to render some stuff). It’s still there, and not because my phone is slow - even a brand new Pixel with no apps or Google account has this delay. It takes nearly 2 seconds to go home - long enough to make me question if I hit the home button.

    I don’t know what the answer is - I keep looking for a new/different way to have a home screen that’s more useful, but they all present the same paradigm (although with different/better features, such as Lawnchair and Nova).

    The only reason I go home is to open the app drawer (I find apps on the home screen chaotic - it would take me longer to find an app there than in an alpha list).

    Jina Drawer is something I’ve toyed with that has a different approach, though it’s not a launcher.

    • officermike@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      It’s still there, and not because my phone is slow - even a brand new Pixel with no apps or Google account has this delay. It takes nearly 2 seconds to go home - long enough to make me question if I hit the home button.

      Pixel 6 Pro, in use since release… I don’t have any noticeable delay. Pressing the home button (I have 3-button navigation instead of gestures), the transition from foreground app to Nova home screen I’d estimate to be under 1/4 second. Feels pretty instantaneous.

    • Adderbox76
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      7 months ago

      there aren’t really any that use a different paradigm or concept

      No offense meant, but how hard have you looked? Because different paradigms are everywhere. Niagara Launcher for one, also Olauncher, Before Launcher, etc…