this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2024

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Introducing... Octopi Launcher (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi everyone!

I'm happy to share my app, Octopi Launcher, which I've worked on for quite a while now.

Octopi Launcher is a launcher for Android, built with the latest trends in mind, which includes visual and haptic effects, and support for foldables.

Features:

App drawer, dock and homescreen
Different homescreen for different screen layout/ orientation/ size/ foldable position
Widgets and (autoscrolling) widget stacks
Home screen folders
Fine/ free positioning of home screen apps and widgets
Big home screen icons
Swipe actions for icons
Display drawer items as icons or tiles (or single list); sort by installed date or updated date
App search + instant launch
Icon pack support
Wallpaper blur when opening app drawer (on supported devices)
Work profile support
Fun animations, reflections and haptic effects

Screenshot album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8xiXqSABV7Rhad139

Firstly, join the Google Group to gain access: https://groups.google.com/g/octopi-launcher-alpha-testers

Then, use this link to download the closed beta: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.otp.octopilauncher

I'd love to hear your feedback below, and have a nice day!

top 19 comments

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

Oh man I haven't seen that kind of dock since like iOS 2

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Will you open source it?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Not at the moment, it's something I have been thinking ever since I started, so I haven't ruled that out in future

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Why not?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

As an android enthusiast, who also is into the 3D printing scene, my first thought was "what does this launcher have to do with OctoPi and OctoPrint?".

The answer, nothing... obviously. Guess it's just an SEO and a me problem 🤪

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (2 children)

A few pictures would be great. Will it be free/ donationware or paid? Open source or closed source ?

I've been on an old version of nova launcher for several years now due to simple feature that is somehow unavailable anywhere else. When you open the search widget, it also shows a small 3 tab drawer that shows you the last 12 recently installed/updated, recently opened, and frequently opened apps. This made handling apps far easier.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Just snapped a few: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8xiXqSABV7Rhad139

It will have a one-time in-app purchase, but I'm planning to give away free codes to closed beta testers. The free version will be ad-free and competitive, features-wise, with most free launchers.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Looks great , but it doesn't look like it fit my needs.

Your search box is almost similar to what I described. Here's a picture :

I also like having my less frequently used apps organized inside folders in the home screen for quick access. Like so:

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

I think that search bar option is a key part of Kiss launcher's strategy

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Well, I'm used to be able to search for an app wish a home on home press. The faster the better (some launchers are too slow on this, and that's why I don't use them). My main is Nova. The current speed setting is great.

The second thing is the Widget grouping per app.

On experience, I find this launcher too slow for my taste.

On the settings side, I find that having too many settings at the same time is kinda cumbersome.

Things that I like, to be able too see what setting does what easily, icon resizing, padding and dock concept.

I'd pay for this in the future. Like from 2 to 3 USD.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Coincidentally I was working on this a few days back. Mapping actions (including search) is definitely on my to-do.

I may group the widget list for faster loading, my initial thought was to have something different from the standard, and that was why I went for a search-based approach. Good suggestion.

Which aspects do you feel the speed can be improved? Also to share that there's an animation speed setting where you can make animations much faster or slower

As for settings, things like preview are planned ;)

Thanks for the overall feedback!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

The settings starter wizard is great for users that are not very familiar with customisation, so I think you have a lot of potential there for something new. I think you saw it as well. Most launchers are either very complex to set up (for someone that is not very familiar with android customisation) or too simple (like Niagara Launcher) but I think most users want some that is inviting for migrating from another custom launcher and from any stock one. Some launchers fix this by a migration wizard, but if you are going to copy something over, why migrate? I really like how your approach is going and I can't wait to see where you land.

Regarding speed, I like your approach for speed , I think that's something to consider on the wizard and I think that that's the first setting I changed. I will send you my current nova set up and my Octopi one.

Thank you for your work, anyone can see that you are trying to do something different and put a lot of thought and effort into it.

Edit 1: is there anyway change the way how icons are shown on folders?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I'm left handed, so that's why they are grouped like that. The widgets I have them from Google photos, I think what are the photos if you are not enjoying them

Nova: I'm left handed, so that's why they are grouped like that. The widgets I have them from Google photos, I think what are the photos if you are not enjoying them.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

What does it do that other, FOSS launchers on F-Droid don't do?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

it's still under lots of development, but here's a few:

Better support for foldables (separate layouts for each screen)
(Auto-scrolling) widget stacks
Fine/ free positioning of home screen apps and widgets
Resizable home screen icons
Display drawer items as tiles (or single list)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I feel like OctoPi is not a smart name

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I joined and downloaded, but I'm running into the issue where it crashes as soon as the intro window pops up. It looks like it's describing what it does, but it doesn't last long. I'm on a Pixel 7 Pro if that helps at all?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I've been trying to replicate this. Do you have apps with non English names?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

I don't think so? It's not that interesting since it just fails, but if you want to see it in action: https://litter.catbox.moe/5f5cks.mp4