Alt Launcher vs Easy Launcher - Minimal launcher
Side-by-side comparison of two open source alternatives
Alt Launcher
The Problem: Phoenix Radios Android tablet style radios do not allow for running apps on boot or fastboot. This app solves that problem. When the Phoenix Radio boots (or fast-boots), the Alt Launcher starts the apps it is configured to start. The primary purpose is to launch two apps in split screen mode. You can select which app to be on the top half of the screen, and the app for the bottom half. Prior to starting those apps, it can launch services or apps that need to run in the background. Installation Note: The Alt Launcher does not show up in the launcher that comes with the Phoenix radios. During the installation process, be sure to click the "Open" button to run it once. From that point on, it will run in the background. If you don't start it during the installation process, the only way to start it is with another app that launches apps (like CarWebGuru). Accessing the app To get into the Alt Launcher, swipe down from the top of the screen to view notifications, and click on the "Alt Launcher" notification. It has the message "Foreground Service Started". If the notification is not available, start the Alt Launcher using a non-stock launcher like CarWebGuru. In the main scren, the Alt Launcher displays the services, background apps, and top and bottom apps it is configured to start on booot or fast boot. Background Apps At the top of the main screen is the list of apps that will start and then be put in the background. They are started in the order shown. To add a new one, click the "Add a new Background App" button, and select the desired app. To remove an app from the list, click on that app. Services Below the background apps is the list of services that will be started. They are started in the order shown. To add a new one, click the "Add New Service to Start" button, and select the desired service. To remove a service, click on the service. Top and Bottom Apps Below the background apps are the two apps to launch in split screen mode. To select the top or bottom app, click on either "None Selected" or the app shown in either the top or bottom sections, and choose the desired app in the popup. Permissions The app requires the following permissions: 1. RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED - needed to be notified after cold boot so it can launch the apps. 2. FOREGROUND_SERVICE - The default launcher on Phoenix Radios hides the application icon for the Alt Launcher. This means that by default, there is no way to get into the app to update configuration. The foreground service provides a consistent way to get back into the app. Tasker To start Tasker so that it starts performing actions after boot, do the following: 1. Select the following Tasker service to be launched: com.joaomgcd.taskerm.plugin.ServiceRequestQuery i. There is generally no need to launch the Tasker app itself. 2. In Tasker, if you set up a profile with Profile->Event->Tasker-> Monitor Start, that activates when Tasker starts up. See the Readme for additional details.
Easy Launcher - Minimal launcher
Features: - Favorite App Quick Access: Display your most-used apps on the home screen in text format for swift access, streamlining your operations. - Hide Apps: Easily conceal apps you don't want visible, keeping your home screen clean and focused on essential content. - Rename Apps: Personalize your apps with custom names that sync seamlessly between favorites and all apps. - Locking: Secure your privacy and data with fingerprint lock for selected apps and settings. - No Internet Permissions: No use of INTERNET permissions, ensuring your data remains private. - Crash Reports: Report crashes via email, including log files for effective troubleshooting. Personalized Customization: - Font Colors: Customize font colors using our color picker. - Position: Align Date, Time, and Apps to Left, Center, or Right. - Padding: Adjust padding between favorite apps and all apps. - Font Size: Set font size for each element on the home screen. - Toggle Items: Control display preferences on the home screen. Possible Gestures Include: - Swiping Gestures: Navigate by swiping in different directions (up, down, left, right) to access various features or move between screens. - Double Tap: Quickly tap the screen twice to perform a predefined action or activate a feature. - Clock Interaction: Tap on the clock to display additional information such as alarms or world clock. - Date Interaction: Tap on the date to open the calendar app for scheduling and planning. - Battery Icon: Tap on the battery icon to access battery usage details. Possible Actions Include: - Open Specified App: Instantly launch any app you choose for seamless access to your favorites. - Display App List: View and manage your installed apps efficiently with a comprehensive list display. - Screen Locking: Secure your device and protect your privacy with quick and convenient screen locking. - Show Recently Opened Apps: Access recently used apps effortlessly for swift multitasking. - Notification Drawer Access: Open the notification drawer with a single tap to check updates and alerts. - Quick Settings: Manage device settings swiftly by accessing quick settings directly from the home screen. - Power Dialog: Control power options such as restart, power off, and more with ease using the power dialog. - Take a Screenshot: Capture your screen instantly to save and share important information and moments. - Disable Gestures: Temporarily or permanently disable specific gestures to customize your device interaction experience. Permissions: - android.permission.SET_WALLPAPER: This permission is needed for the app to change or set the device's wallpaper. It allows the app to programmatically modify the wallpaper displayed on the home or lock screen. - android.permission.EXPAND_STATUS_BAR: This permission allows the app to expand or collapse the status bar, providing functionality to interact with the quick settings or notifications. - android.permission.USE_BIOMETRIC: This permission is needed for the app to use biometric authentication methods (such as fingerprint, face recognition, or iris scanning). - android.permission.VIBRATE: This permission allows the app to control the device’s vibrator to provide haptic feedback, which can be used for alerts, notifications, or custom user interactions within the app. - android.permission.QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES: This permission allows the app to query and view the list of all installed apps on the device. This permission can raise privacy concerns and is often reviewed by Google Play for appropriate use. - android.permission.REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES: This permission allows the app to request the uninstallation of packages (apps) from the device.This permission is highly restricted and usually only granted to system-level or enterprise apps. - com.android.alarm.permission.SET_ALARM: This permission is necessary for an app to set alarms on the device. It allows the app to schedule alarms that will trigger at specif
| Feature | Alt Launcher | Easy Launcher - Minimal launcher |
|---|---|---|
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0-only |
| Install sources | F-DroidGitHub | F-DroidGitHubIzzyOnDroid |
| Categories | ProductivityLauncher | ProductivityLauncher |
| Features | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking | Ad-FreeOpen SourceNo Tracking |
| Platforms | Android | Android |
| Website | ||
| Source code |