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
  • Blur for widget and dock background (experimental)
  • Home screen and app drawer folders
  • Fine/ free positioning of home screen apps and widgets
  • Big home screen icons
  • Swipe up/ down actions for icons
  • Display drawer items as icons or tiles (or single list); sort by installed date or updated date
  • App search + instant launch
  • Assign a nickname to an app for instant app search and launch (e.g. searching “ff” launches Firefox instantly)
  • 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!

  • Armin@lemmy.zipEnglish
    38·
    7 months ago

    Nice job! I like the looks, any plans on open sourcing it?

    • ShepherdPieEnglish
      5·
      7 months ago

      Doubly so since people sometimes use Android phones as dedicated interfaces for their printer.

    • ock88@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      4·
      7 months ago

      Used the plural of Octopus, perhaps I should go with Octopus Launcher instead?

    • warmaster@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      7 months ago

      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 🤣

    • ock88@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      7 months ago

      Fair comment. I do not have trackers that may pose a privacy issue, and it will remain so.

      • warmaster@lemmy.worldEnglish
        8·
        7 months ago

        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.

  • TurboWafflz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    17·
    7 months ago

    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.

      • sabreW4K3@lazysoci.alEnglish
        2·
        7 months ago

        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.

        • ock88@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          7 months ago

          Great suggestion on the “wizard”/ guide on first launch. The launcher starts a bit empty otherwise.

          As for the app sorting, is there a reason why you prefer a permanent sort choice (by date)?

          App shortcuts are definitely on my to-dos, and they will be supported as swipe/ gesture actions as well.

          • sabreW4K3@lazysoci.alEnglish
            1·
            7 months ago

            As for the app sorting, is there a reason why you prefer a permanent sort choice (by date)?

            No real reason.

            App shortcuts are definitely on my to-dos, and they will be supported as swipe/ gesture actions as well.

            I’ll keep an eye out.

  • Defaced@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    7 months ago

    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.

    • ock88@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      7 months ago

      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.

      • Defaced@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        7 months ago

        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?

        • FutileRecipe@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          7 months ago

          While I liked Niagara for what it tries to do, it’s price for a launcher was steep…

          Quality often is, and it’s not terribly steep, in my opinion, if you consider that it’s the gateway into your phone and is used practically every time you unlock your phone. I personally opted for the lifetime subscription to not deal with any monthlys.

        • ock88@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          1·
          7 months ago

          It will be priced very competitively, as it’s a personal project and I do not need to pay anyone else ;) Nova’s model before it’s bought over was great. i still recall being part of those who paid $0.10 for it. The Google group is how Google currently handles closed beta sign-ups, not very intuitive, I agree.