Android 9 Pie It has introduced a new recent apps menu, compatible with the new gesture system. These changes will allow custom launchers to modify this menu, giving users a more intuitive experience. much more flexible experience without relying solely on the factory launcher.
Android 9 Pie and the recent apps menu: forced changes by the gesture system
At the interface level, Android 9 Pie has probably been one of the most important changes for the operating system of GoogleThis has been particularly noticeable in the new gesture interface, which represents a complete overhaul of how people control their smartphones. At the same time, this has necessitated a redesign of the interface to better suit this new approach. new uses and navigation patternsespecially regarding quick access to recent applications.
This is especially noticeable in the new recent apps menu u OverviewThe applications have gone from being placed in portrait mode to being placed in landscape mode. horizontalYou switch from one to the other from right to left or using the gesture pill at the bottom of the screen. Furthermore, from here you can copy text without fully opening the app, and this is the menu to use for the split screen, which makes this panel a key productivity hub.
If we look internally, changes explained like this: from Android 5.0 Lollipop to Android 8.1 Oreo, the recent app system depended on the package SystemUIThis means that custom ROMs didn't have major problems modifying it, as explained on XDA-Developers. If you only had root access, it was more difficult, and developers most likely chose not to attempt it to avoid problems. break the interface nor compromise the stability of the system.
With the arrival of the new gesture system, Google needed the behavior of recent apps to be more closely aligned with the stock launcherTherefore, the Overview panel was directly integrated with the main launcher. This opens the door for the third-party launchers can replicate and extend this logic, offering more customization options without giving up gesture control.
This change has also encouraged many developers to explore alternative interfaces For multitasking: from minimalist carousels to list views, including designs inspired by classic desktops or TV-style interfaces, always maintaining compatibility with basic navigation gestures.
Institutionalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQgMpB9qPh4
Custom launchers will be able to change the menu of recent apps from Android Pie
What then changes with Android 9 Pie? The menu Overview becomes part of the stock launcherOnce the AOSP Launcher code was released, it was discovered that custom launchers could, on their own, modify the recent apps menu and adapt it to the desired visual and functional style. This opens up a range of possibilities: from adding own gestures...even changing transitions, including contextual shortcuts, or integrating productivity features like quick access to widgets.
The tests are being led by the team of Lawnchair LauncherAs you can see in the video above. For now root is requiredBut the initial tests are positive. For advanced users, this means a multitasking experience very close to what Google's launcher offers can be achieved, but with many more customization options in themes, icons, gestures, or integration with Google Discover.
The video included in this article shows a Pixel mobile with rooted Android 9 Pie and Lawnchair Launcher installed. The menu Overview It remains exactly as it was, as you can see. The method used to implement this interface has not yet been specified, given that there are still bugs and they haven't even been able to create a fully functional Magisk module. However, this is good news and work that will improve the user experience. third party launcheras the differences with the official launcher will gradually decrease.
Meanwhile, other developers are focusing on launchers inspired by more recent versions of the system, such as Pie Launcher, which is based on the code of modern launchers and integrates advanced features: support for more than a thousand topics, compatibility with most icon packs from Google Play, vertical or horizontal app drawer, ability to hide private apps, notification dots, and a wide range of configurable gestures (swipe, double tap, pinch, etc.).
These types of launchers, inspired by recent Android versions, also allow you to take advantage of Android 9 Pie features such as the gesture of swiping up to open the app drawer or swiping down to return to the home screen, even on older devices. In addition, there are advanced customization options such as changing the grid size, icon size, and label size; locking the home screen to prevent accidental changes; adjusting the app drawer background (light, dark, blurred, or transparent); modifying the dock style; and customizing the search bar.
Android Launchers: What they are, why use them, and how they relate to Android 9 Pie
Android's customization capabilities are one of the aspects that make Google's mobile platform special. It's virtually impossible to find two identical home screensAnd much of the credit for this goes to applications that have been with us since the beginning of the operating system, and which for years have been the best allies of customization enthusiasts: the launchers.
This category of customization apps for android It is constantly evolving, with Launchers that are leaving and others that are arriving to bring a fresh perspective to the landscape through unprecedented customization options. With the arrival of Android 9 Pie and its new gesture system and recent apps menu, launchers have had to adapt to continue offering coherent experiences with the system, but maintaining its distinctive character.
You may have never used a launcher on your Android, or perhaps you've been using the same one for so long that you wouldn't have considered switching to a new one despite its greater number of features. Either way, today there's a very robust ecosystem of launchers available. launchers compatible with Android 9 Pie and later versions that allow you to take advantage of gestures, the new design of recent apps and, at the same time, customize icons, themes, animations or even the arrangement of shortcuts.
By default, all Android phones and tablets have a pre-installed launcher. This is the application that includes the home screen and the application drawer.Third-party launchers are downloaded like any other app and replace the default desktop. In this way, It is possible to access many more features that are generally not available in the native app: changing icon packs, adjusting the drawer theme, modifying animations, altering the shape of adaptive icons, or even copying the appearance of the Pixel Launcher or Android 9 Pie on phones that will not be updated.
One of the strengths of third-party launchers is that they are usually updated with faster than the manufacturers' own system. This allows users to enjoy the visual innovations introduced with Android 9 Pie earlier, such as adaptive icons, dark mode, and the new notification and digital wellbeing cards, through combinations of launchers, widgets, and auxiliary apps that almost completely mimic the experience of a newer system.
The Android launcher is an application that often goes unnoticed, despite being one of the most important for a simple reason: it's the app used to open other applications. Here we'll look at... What is the best Android launcher? today.
In the world of launchers, there are two types of people: those who use the one that comes pre-installed on their phone and those who have a favorite that they install first on every new device. Regardless of which group you belong to, we'll review the best launchers currently available so you can find the perfect one. the one that best suits your needs.
What we ask of a launcher on Android
In the world of launchers, no one agrees. Some prefer a launcher that is Minimalist and those who want it to have all possible customization options, and also those who need a specific function that is only available in a particular model. In our comparison, We will take into account the aspects of each of the launchers, although it will be up to you to assess how important each factor is in your case:
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Widget supportAndroid without widgets is not Android, and while the vast majority of Android launchers support them, some of the more unusual launchers do without them.
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Support for icon packsInstalling an icon pack is a great way to significantly change the look of an Android phone. Luckily, most launchers support them these days.
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GesturesA good launcher lets you perform certain actions using gestures and, even better, customize which action is performed with each gesture, something especially relevant if you want to take advantage of the navigation style of Android 9 Pie.
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Integration with Google Now/DiscoverPreviously, only the Google launcher included the Google feed, but several third-party launchers found ways to copy the feature.
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Dock customizationThe dock includes the applications you want to have at hand, and some launchers allow you to customize their appearance and behavior more than others.
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Notification badgesWhether they are circles or numbers, notification badges let you quickly know if you have pending notifications in a specific app.
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Customizing the Google ToolbarVirtually all launchers include their own search bar and, like everything else that's part of the launcher, it's very useful when you can customize its appearance.
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AnimationsSome launchers allow you to choose between different animations for transitions or when opening an application.
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Icon shapesAdaptive icons brought the ability to make all icons the same shape. Most launchers support basic shapes like circles or squares, but some go further with countless other shapes.
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ThemesMany launchers are designed to use a light or dark theme, and some allow you to adjust detailed colors across the entire interface.
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ExtrasUnique features such as quick access, fingerprint app protection, or smart drawer sorting make a significant difference.
Our selection of candidates
Taking all of the above into account, we have compiled our list with the seven best launchers of the momentThere are all the heavyweights like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher, as well as other less well-known or veteran, but also quite popular ones.
Nova Launcher
Nova Launcher is such a veteran Android app launcher that it hardly needs an introduction. Over time, Nova has turned into something like the standard in third-party launchers, including everything that is expected of a launcher and, often, ahead of Google by implementing some new features before the Pixel launcher.
Nova Launcher is a traditional launcher, and that's part of its charm. following the classic formula of home screens and drawerHowever, you can change its behavior in its settings so that, for example, it doesn't have an app drawer.
Nova stands out for allowing you Configure the icons to your liking.It even generates adaptive icons for apps that don't yet have them. To get the most out of Nova Launcher, you need to purchase Nova Launcher Prime, although it frequently goes on sale on Google Play.
Action Launcher
After Nova Launcher, Action Launcher is probably the second most popular Android app launcher. Action Launcher has, broadly speaking, everything that Nova has.Except for certain advanced features for adaptive icons, although it compensates for this with its own icon pack.
While Nova Launcher is a traditional launcher, Action Launcher is something more experimental, including the curious shutters or blinds, with which you can open an application widget from its shortcut.
Action Launcher has a good number of customization options which are also organized into categories. It's one of the launchers with the most modern and up-to-date design, making it ideal for those looking for a dynamic style compatible with the visual updates introduced in Android 9 Pie.
lawnchair
Lawnchair is a launcher with a sun lounger icon, based on the Google launcher. Simply put, it's Something like the stock Android launcher on steroidswith many more options than the launcher it is based on.
Lawnchair lets you customize its appearance by choosing the theme colors Its interface includes its own fully customizable version of the "At a Glance" widget. It's not a launcher with an overwhelming number of customization options, but all the important ones are there.
The good thing about Lawnchair is that It's simple and very similar to the pre-installed launcher that comes on the phone.But it also offers several additional options to explore later, once you've gotten used to it. That, combined with its responsiveness and design aligned with current Android trends, makes it a great choice for those who want a Pixel-like experience with gesture support and the Android 9 Pie Overview.
Microsoft Launcher
Microsoft Launcher is the spiritual successor to Arrow Launcher. It's Microsoft's official launcher, so it's understandable that it doesn't have the Google feed, though It includes its own news window and other productive shortcuts.
Microsoft Launcher is a good launcher in its own right, having everything you'd expect from a launcher, although You get the most out of it if you make extensive use of the Microsoft app ecosystem., which are integrated into various sections of it.
Over time, Microsoft Launcher has incorporated numerous customization optionsincluding configurable gestures, a customizable search bar, and even the ability to change icons or add actions when sliding over an icon.
Smart Launcher
Another launcher that should be included in any compilation is Smart Launcher, a launcher somewhat different from the others both in its functions and its appearance, partly because it is not based on the AOSP launcher code, like most launchers.
The name "Smart" is no coincidence, as this launcher includes an app drawer that Automatically classify your apps into categories. such as communication, games, multimedia, or utilities.
The home screen departs from the conventional, as it does not feature infinite pages, but rather... one screen for icons, another for widgets and another for news, although you can change much of the behavior in the settings.
POCO Launcher
When Xiaomi launched its phones under the POCO brand, it included a A slightly different customization layer than MIUI, with a launcher included.That launcher is POCO Launcher, which can also be downloaded from Google Play on other devices.
The POCO launcher is similar to many AOSP-based launchers, although with a slightly more refined design and a few tricks up its sleeve. Among its advantages is a curious one. search for icons by color.
POCO Launcher has fewer customization options than some rivals, making it more suitable for those looking for something more user-friendly. simple and minimalistIt's ideal for users who want a light, uncomplicated change to the stock launcher.
When it comes to app launchers, everyone has their own preferences. The fact that you want to install a launcher instead of using the one that comes with your phone already makes it clear that you need something more or something different. There isn't one launcher that's best for everyone, although some general recommendations can be made: if you need The more options, the better.Action Launcher stands out; if you want something similar but better, Lawnchair offers a smooth transition; and if you prefer to opt for safe valuesNova Launcher remains a very solid reference.
The combination of Android 9 Pie with custom launchers and companion apps allows you to take customization of the home screen and recent apps menu to a whole new level. a very high leveladapting the mobile phone to both aesthetic tastes and productivity needs, even on devices that will never officially receive all the system's new features.