Kia ora!

I’ve been an ios user for 100 years at this point, but used to be deep in the android scene before then. I’ve just got an android for a work phone and am wondering what’s changed in the last 10 years - what are your essential apps, settings, customisations? I’ve had a hunt around xda but can’t seem to find much in the way of roms for my model (Samsung A04) - back in the day it seemed there was a thread for every device!

What do I need to know?

  • Helvedeshunden@beehaw.orgEnglish
    12·
    2 years ago

    Niagara Launcher is the coolest thing I’ve seen happen for mobile interfaces since the first touch interface. It is so clean and well-designed, it makes everything else in iOS and Android look like a cluttery mess - all while adapting to what you need and offering quick access to everything on the phone.

    • dan@upvote.auEnglish
      4·
      2 years ago

      Is it better than Nova? I’ve been using Nova for as long as I can remember.

      • bugsmith@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        It’s completely different to Nova, and any other drawer based launcher. It has a free version so you can check it out. Personally, I don’t like it but I totally get the appeal.

        Nova was recently bought out by an ad company, so if that’s not something you like then you might check out some FOSS alternatives such as Lawnchair or Neo Launcher (both are currently in development and less feature-rich than Nova though).

    • jennifilm@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      2 years ago

      Oh, this is so neat, thank you! I’ve just had a play - especially for a work phone that has real specific uses, Niagara makes a lot of sense! Do you subscribe to pro? Have you found it useful?

      • Helvedeshunden@beehaw.orgEnglish
        6·
        2 years ago

        I do subscribe to Pro. Not really because it’s necessary, because the free version is already pretty great, but it offers a bit more customisation - and it is cheap. I really just wanted to support the devs more than anything.

        • Naate@beehaw.orgEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          I’ve been subscribed for a while. I don’t think I could ever go back to another launcher.

          Combined with Tapet for subtle geometric wallpapers, my home screen is a dream.

      • sup@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        Is it subscription based? Or a one time payment to unlock pro?

    • Deebster@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      I’m trying it now - I like it but there are a few confusing choices, like how you can only have one widget visible at once.

      How do you access the shortcuts that would normally be placed on the home screen? I have some webapps and e.g. OpenVPN shortcuts that I currently can’t see.

    • chris.@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      agreed, highly recommend for anyone reading this thread who hasn’t tried it yet. it’s one of the main reasons i can never switch to ios

      • Helvedeshunden@beehaw.orgEnglish
        1·
        2 years ago

        Based on the screenshots I see of KISS Launcher online they have extremely little in common apart from minimalism. Niagara can be exceedingly minimalist, though.