Smart Launcher creator Vincenzo Colucci tells AP how he maintains the app independent of AOSP
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Interview: Smart Launcher creator Vincenzo Colucci on keeping a project alive for over a decade

Of all the apps you can install on your new Android phone, a solid app launcher can be the biggest transformation in your user experience, unlocking depths of customization most OEM-provided solutions are only starting to fathom. Talk to any enthusiast who's watched the launcher scene, and they may point you to older, reliable options like Nova Launcher and Smart Launcher as a good starting point.

Smart Launcher is around 12 years old, and that's a long time to keep a passion project up and running. We blocked some quality time with the app's creator, Vincenzo Colucci, to understand his perspective on what it takes to stay relevant as an older Android launcher, especially since the app segment is more competitive now.

  • lime!@feddit.nu
    ·
    1 month ago

    i've been using the paid version of smart launcher since Android 4. it's been slowly getting worse over the years. from multiple waves of advertising new paid features (that you don't get by having the paid version), to having to keep multiple versions installed due to the licensing being version dependent, to recently randomly locking up and having to be repeatedly force-closed. yet there's no other launcher i've tried that can be configured the way i want to have my phone set up. it's annoying.

    • limerod@reddthat.comM
      ·
      1 month ago

      You must've been using smart launcher since versions 3, 4 and 5. I have been using Smart Launcher since 2022 when it was on version 6, across 3 different smartphones. I had bought the lifetime license. I do not experience the locking up or force-closed issue you mention.

      If its severe enough you can contact support for help. But, if you are on android 15 that's on google. You can follow the progress of the bug report here: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/353538494.

      Here's the reddit thread from smart launcher with possible workarounds like rotating your screen or turning on/off dark mode to force a view change

      • lime!@feddit.nu
        ·
        1 month ago

        yeah i think 3 var the first version i used. bought the only version available at the time, which said it was a lifetime thing, but starting at v5 it's been trying to upsell me and it's frustrating.

        did not know about the rotation thing, will try that next time it happens. i'm on 14 so no luck with it being google's fault

        • limerod@reddthat.comM
          ·
          1 month ago

          Then you are on an old version. Latest is Smart launcher 6. Try it could fix some issues for you

          • lime!@feddit.nu
            ·
            1 month ago

            i've been on SL6 since release. currently on 6.4 build 043. but on the version page it says I have an "old license" and wants me to pay $25 to get a new one.

            • limerod@reddthat.comM
              ·
              1 month ago

              Here's what I found on the docs page of smart launcher 6:

              I already paid years ago for SL3. Do I need to pay again for SL6 Pro?

              If you already purchased Smart Launcher 3 Pro you don’t need to pay again for Smart Launcher 6 Pro. If you purchased your license with an in-app purchase, your license will be automatically detected. Otherwise, if you purchased SL3 Pro as an app aside, you need to keep it installed together with SL6 to verify your Pro license*.

              You can check your license status in Preferences → Info version.

              If you have both versions installed but you can't have your license verified, try to uninstall and then reinstall SL3.

              Please remember, Smart Launcher 3 Pro license doesn't include the Feature Pack. This optional purchase unlocks some new features introduced by the latest updates (it's already included in SL6 Pro).

              *Please note, both versions of Smart Launcher must be installed and genuine (not cracked and installed via Play Store).

              I would recommend contacting the devs to see if they can fix your issue.

              • lime!@feddit.nu
                ·
                1 month ago

                sounds like there isn't an issue. i have a license without the feature pack, and for that feature pack they want to charge me 20 times what i paid for the app.

                the only feature i'm missing is one they removed from my license, icon notifications. that was the first thing in the feature pack way back when, and it wasn't worth paying extra to get back. no way in hell am i paying for it now.

                • limerod@reddthat.comM
                  ·
                  1 month ago

                  sounds like there isn't an issue. i have a license without the feature pack, and for that feature pack they want to charge me 20 times what i paid for the app.

                  Okay.

                  the only feature i'm missing is one they removed from my license, icon notifications. that was the first thing in the feature pack way back when, and it wasn't worth paying extra to get back. no way in hell am i paying for it now.

                  It is expensive. But, compared to what happens to cheaper or free launchers. I think it's alright.

                  BTW, I'm curious do you have features like Smart Sleep, Blur background, wallpaper 3D. Or you only miss out on notification dots.

                  • lime!@feddit.nu
                    ·
                    1 month ago

                    there are tons of open-source launchers that have caught my interest, but none of them are as bare-bones as my SL config.

                    i have none of the listed features, i am also (apparently) missing adaptive icons, "smart" widgets, folders, and "ultra immersive mode". not that they have managed to tell me why i need them.

                    • limerod@reddthat.comM
                      ·
                      1 month ago

                      There are lots of pro features in Smart launcher. I checked and found too many to list here *removed externally hosted image*

                      If you do not have Smart screen off, Blur background, wallpaper 3D, smart widgets, folders, ultra immersive mode. You are missing out. You could check LawnChair Alpha version if you only care about a minimal barebones launcher experience. But, you mentioned trying tons of open-source launchers so you already did.

                      • lime!@feddit.nu
                        ·
                        1 month ago

                        looks like some of these are included in the old license, like custom sorting and categories, and extra widget pages (i don't really use widgets).

                        lawnchair actually wasn't on my radar, mostly because it's not in the f-droid default repo. i recently added in izzyondroid and it popped up. unfortunately it has no app categories and no way to customize gestures so it's out. thanks for the suggestion though.