Do you remember the time when every new launcher on Google Play was focusing on customisation features and design? I think it is still the case, but now you can spot some new trends if you will start exploring new launchers available on Google Play.
Some launchers are trying to help people to focus on important tasks and detox from their devices. In opposite to this, some launchers are trying to integrate AI algorithms into their workflows and assist people with useful recommendations.
All these launchers are also available for beta testing and most of them are also in the early access mode. I split them into two categories - "AI launchers" and "Minimalistic launchers".
AI launchers
Interactive launcher
The main UI of this launcher is quite simple - a home screen with app shortcuts and app drawer with a list of all installed apps. UI part has a very simple design and might require some additional work.
The unique part is that it has its own voice assistant and a huge list of voice commands available. You also can create your own voice commands and assign them to different actions.
I categorised it as an AI launcher because it relies a lot on voice recognition and all its core features are based on it. The voice assistant itself is quite powerful and it will take a bit of time to explore all its features.
Interactive Launcher UI
You can also check their promo video to get a better idea about features that this launcher have. On IC website, there is also a full list of available voice skills and some user guides.
YASAN launcher
This launcher doesn't have a voice assistant but it uses AI to learn your usage patterns. This data is used later on in order to show you an AI-powered dashboard of recommended apps that you most likely would need at any particular moment of time.
Apart from this dashboard it also has a minimalistic home-screen view with some widgets and a new set of AI picks. You can also pin your most-used apps to the home-screen from settings.
YASAN Launcher UI
This launcher also have a telegram channel with new updates and a discussion group.
Minimalistic launchers
AIO launcher
Despite having "AI" in its name, this launcher belongs to minimalistic launchers. This launcher offers you a wall of information and tools as a home screen. You can customise all elements on this wall but as it is mostly text-based - it doesn't require a lot of space and has a very minimalistic design.
This launcher won't necessarily help you to "detox" from your phone but it will display some additional information to your home screen so you won't need to open individual apps to see it.
AIO Launcher UI
AIO launcher also supports integration with Tasker API and ADB so you can control AIO launcher via these tools programmatically. More info can be found on their website 🌎
Indistractable Launcher
This launcher is a good example of a minimalistic approach. A blank screen, only 4 favourite apps and a bit of additional info like a "year progress". You can access other apps from a drawer on the right side via search. The "theme", app icons and "widgets" are customisable as well.
Indistractable Launcher UI
Indistractable Launcher aims to be a new age minimalist launcher to help you curb digital distraction and boost your productivity. It is developed by two minimalists whom you can find on Twitter #StayIndistractable
Ceri Launcher
This launcher has a minimalistic home screen with big app icons and a search based apps drawer. Unlike other minimalistic launchers, Ceri launcher is more "visual". It also has a lot of customisation options as many modern launchers these days. Many nice options belong to the PRO app but the overall quality is quite good as well.
Ceri Launcher UI
Ceri launcher is developed by a young student from England whom you can follow on Twitter too 👻
Siempo
This launcher encourages you to write down your main "intention" and it will be displayed on your home screen. On the left side it has three other screens with a different set of apps:
- Basic apps that everyone uses like maps, messages, camera, etc. You will see only icons provided by the launcher itself and you will need to map them to your favourite apps accordingly.
- Your favourite apps that you can pick yourself. Displayed as text icons.
- Apps flagged by the launcher as time-consuming. Also displayed as text icons.
All sets of apps are customisable so you can configure it for your needs to some extend.
The overall goal of this launcher is quite clear, it can help you to "detox" from your device. Design of the launcher is quite plane but I believe that it also works towards the main goal.
The special part of this launcher would be a screen with your main intention. It might be useful form many people to write a long term goal or something meaningful that you want to remind yourself about when you look at your phone.
Siempo launcher UI
Siempo launcher was developed by a team that is passionate about wellbeing.
We created Siempo because we want to help people be more present, focused, and happy. We believe that devices and apps should be designed with human wellbeing in mind.
The team is working on solutions for other platforms as well. You can get a better idea about their work from Siempo website.
Sentien Launcher
This launcher was probably shared in this community in the past but it worth being shared again. It offers you a search bar for apps and content inside some other apps. You can also add one widget there and browse a history of apps that you've used.
I like a color scheme that this launcher is using and I find that search launchers quite easy to use on a daily basis.
Sentien Launcher UI
One interesting addition about Sentien launcher, they are also developing a headset with bone-connectivity which will be ready to launch in December 2020. The headset comes with a control app for Android as well. You can check more info about it on their website 🎧
Closing words
I am personally a user of OneUI and if I would pick a launcher for myself I would try to stick to t-ui launcher that also offers access to the terminal on the home page. Unfortunately, it is not much supported anymore afaik.
What is your favourite launcher at this moment?
