Not FOSS = massive privacy and security threat when it comes to crucial things like the app launcher.
Nobody should be using this. Who knows what it's recording and to whom it's sending that data?
Niagara Launcher
81–90 of 102 posts
Re: Niagara Launcher
#82Earlier quoted context omitted.
I spent a long time after Windows Phone died trying to find an Android launcher that felt as clean and intuitive, and I failed. Microsoft did, however, release their own launcher which for me has proven to be the least sucking of the closed source options. I don't use any of the social features or other widgets, but I do clean everything off the home screen (including the dock) and just have a handful of large icons…
The closest launcher (that I know of) to Windows Phone UI is Square Home [0]. I used it for a long time, years ago, and is one of the few apps I actually paid for. 0: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.squareh...
I loved Square but I eventually started getting a bizarre problem where it... wouldn't register my taps, until I swiped up from the bottom of the screen ("home" gesture) and then it would open whatever I'd been ineffectually hitting.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#83I really appreciate how Android made the “graphical shell” a user-replaceable component of the OS. Back in the day, I used Nova Launcher and an icon pack to completely re-theme my home screen. I felt so cool. I encourage anyone curious to take a look at the following subreddit for some neat themes that users have created for themselves over the years using custom launchers: https://www.reddit.com/r/androidthemes/top/…
Do you have any recommendations for launchers to check out? I don’t daily drive Android but keep a couple devices on that side of the fence around for dev purposes and have been underwhelmed with the options I’ve tried so far. I was expecting something more like the old Windows alternative shells (which could differ radically from Explorer) but third party Android launchers don’t seem all that different from what dev…
I used to love LawnChair (also, best name), because it was simple and functional. Then it wasn't updated any longer, and at some point broke some Widgets. R.I.P.
After much searching, I've settled on Hyperion instead.
Essentially, I want the Google Launcher without the Google Search Bar. And maybe a slightly denser icon spacing. Hyperion does that trick, even with the free version. But, to stave off another LawnChair situation, I decided to give them a subscription regardless, just so it stays around.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#84If you want to go further on minimal design check out Olauncher https://github.com/tanujnotes/Olauncher Available on both fdroid and play store
Running it for a few years. Very good! Helps you focus on what matters, easy to tweak and fork. Replacing the default OnePlus launcher make me gain a bit more performance as well, especially switching accounts on the phone! Plus I suspect some battery as well.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#85I really appreciate how Android made the “graphical shell” a user-replaceable component of the OS. Back in the day, I used Nova Launcher and an icon pack to completely re-theme my home screen. I felt so cool. I encourage anyone curious to take a look at the following subreddit for some neat themes that users have created for themselves over the years using custom launchers: https://www.reddit.com/r/androidthemes/top/…
Do you have any recommendations for launchers to check out? I don’t daily drive Android but keep a couple devices on that side of the fence around for dev purposes and have been underwhelmed with the options I’ve tried so far. I was expecting something more like the old Windows alternative shells (which could differ radically from Explorer) but third party Android launchers don’t seem all that different from what dev…
Big coincidence, I just switched to Niagara, complaint: too much scrolling, no auto updates.
I like it better than Oasis (which I might be confusing for something else), complaint: too minimal.
My go to for years was Square Home, great until last years' reinstall, then something (I forget), which was prob a combination of my fault and Android whatever it's on now (maybe 11).
My only other (notable) like is Smart Launcher, which is honestly great except for all the "cloud integration" stuff.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
Do you have any recommendations for launchers to check out? I don’t daily drive Android but keep a couple devices on that side of the fence around for dev purposes and have been underwhelmed with the options I’ve tried so far. I was expecting something more like the old Windows alternative shells (which could differ radically from Explorer) but third party Android launchers don’t seem all that different from what dev…
Big coincidence, I just switched to Niagara, complaint: too much scrolling, no auto updates. I like it better than Oasis (which I might be confusing for something else), complaint: too minimal. My go to for years was Square Home, great until last years' reinstall, then something (I forget), which was prob a combination of my fault and Android whatever it's on now (maybe 11). My only other (notable) like is Smart Laun…
Re: Niagara Launcher
#87https://help.niagaralauncher.app/article/27-privacy-policy > Personal Data collected: Cookies, unique device identifiers, Usage Data and IDs (package names) from installed apps. It sends a unique device identifier, your IP address and your app usage to Firebase. I understand why the developer would want crash reports but he gathers a lot of data on users.
Niagara Launcher dev here - that's a valid concern, especially since launcher apps have access to a lot of personal data.
We have created a document that outlines why we collect the data we do: https://help.niagaralauncher.app/article/109-privacy-policy-....
In short, we only collect data to power our features, verify if the user owns our premium version, improve our app, and for public research and statistics.
If you have questions about specific pieces of data or anything else, please feel free to ask.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#88https://help.niagaralauncher.app/article/27-privacy-policy > Personal Data collected: Cookies, unique device identifiers, Usage Data and IDs (package names) from installed apps. It sends a unique device identifier, your IP address and your app usage to Firebase. I understand why the developer would want crash reports but he gathers a lot of data on users.
Seeing there is no business model (or did I miss that?), how likely is it that this app is sending installed app lists to 3rd party for appstore analytics like Data.ai and similar services? Something needs to pay the bills?
Rest assured, we don't sell your data. We're a small indie team solely financed by Niagara Pro, our in-app upgrade. I'm forever thankful to our community that it is enough to pay the bills and to develop the app further.
Re: Niagara Launcher
#89Seeing us on Hacker News made my day; thank you so much for the shoutout :D
Re: Niagara Launcher
#90Seeing us on Hacker News made my day; thank you so much for the shoutout :D
As a happy paying member of two years, thank you for making Niagara!