Smart Launcher creator Vincenzo Colucci tells AP how he maintains the app independent of AOSP
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Interview: Smart Launcher creator Vincenzo Colucci on keeping a project alive for over a decade

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.

  • lime!English
    2·
    2 months ago

    sounds like there isn’t an issue. i have a license without the feature pack, and for that feature pack they want to charge me 20 times what i paid for the app.

    the only feature i’m missing is one they removed from my license, icon notifications. that was the first thing in the feature pack way back when, and it wasn’t worth paying extra to get back. no way in hell am i paying for it now.

    • limerod@reddthat.comOPMEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      sounds like there isn’t an issue. i have a license without the feature pack, and for that feature pack they want to charge me 20 times what i paid for the app.

      Okay.

      the only feature i’m missing is one they removed from my license, icon notifications. that was the first thing in the feature pack way back when, and it wasn’t worth paying extra to get back. no way in hell am i paying for it now.

      It is expensive. But, compared to what happens to cheaper or free launchers. I think it’s alright.

      BTW, I’m curious do you have features like Smart Sleep, Blur background, wallpaper 3D. Or you only miss out on notification dots.

      • lime!English
        1·
        2 months ago

        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.

        • limerod@reddthat.comOPMEnglish
          1·
          2 months ago

          There are lots of pro features in Smart launcher. I checked and found too many to list here Smart Launcher 6 pro

          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.

          • lime!English
            2·
            2 months ago

            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.