Android @lemdro.id ock88 @lemmy.world 2 wk. ago

Introducing... Octopi Launcher

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!

26 comments

Nice job! I like the looks, any plans on open sourcing it?
- i second this, i won't install a closed source launcher on my phone anymore.
- Not in the immediate future, but I have been thinking about this since I wrote the first bits of code.
  
  It'd be awesome, good luck
Somewhat weird name for a launcher considering this: https://octoprint.org/download/#octopi
- Doubly so since people sometimes use Android phones as dedicated interfaces for their printer.
- Used the plural of Octopus, perhaps I should go with Octopus Launcher instead?
- Yep someone might want to drop Gina a note, this seems infringing.
- Thought of the same, I used it for a few years. It even ocurred to me the possibility that the dev was branching out to other stuff 🤣
it looks cool, but im not sure if id trust a proprietary launcher
- Fair comment. I do not have trackers that may pose a privacy issue, and it will remain so.
  
  When software is open source, people can know if they should trust you. When it's proprietary, they need to have faith in your good will.
I might try it out if it ever becomes open source but trebuchet is good enough at this point that I'm definitely not going to use a closed source launcher.
- I'll share here if I open source this or a variant of this
Make it open source and don't charge for a "premium" version when it's fully released that will hamstring your capability if you don't pay.
- I plan to follow the model of Niagara and Nova launcher, but without recurring subscriptions and tracking. Closed beta testers will receive free codes to unlock the full version, so they get to enjoy all features they have now.
  
  While I liked Niagara for what it tries to do, it's price for a launcher was steep, and Nova IMHO is not a good company to emulate. May I ask why the need to join the Google group?
Congrats! It looks exciting!
- Do let me know any issues you encounter
  
  Initial thoughts: it would be nice if there was a screen where you could select apps for the dock on first launch.
  
  I like the different sorts in the drawer, but the launcher should remember your choice.
  
  Need swipe actions on apps, not being able to access my favourite chats in Telegram feels like a step back.
  
  Other than that. Very nice.
Looks cool, thanks for sharing!
- Thank you and look forward to hearing any issues you faced

You've viewed 26 comments.