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Android users who don't use the stock launcher - what launcher do you use, and what do you like about it? (nom.mom)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by mom@nom.mom to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Maybe something for the Pixel phones? I've been using ADW for a long time now, and was wondering what some frequently used launchers are. (I used Cyanogen for a long time, too.)

There are lists all over the internet, but I'm interested in what the Lemmy crowd likes. Thanks!

Edit: Thanks guys - a few of these were on my radar, some I hadn’t heard of or seen in the Play/f-droid lists. Having the reasons why you like each of them helps me figure out what I want from a launcher (for instance, the purchase of Nova by a company known for its data collection is a big turn-off even though it seems loved) - since you guys laid out some pros and cons of a bunch of launchers, it gives me a better picture!

Edit 2: You guys, this is a great resource for figuring out which launchers look like something worth trying (for me), and which ones are in the stores but not what I'm looking for. Without just trying them all, that is... And considering that I hadn't even heard of all of them...

This has been a huge help for me, and I hope some others out there got something out of the post! I should be replying to everyone, but I'm not ... Sorry. But I did read everything and have already started compiling a list in my head, and started tagging and categorizing. And those who included screen shots and links and lists and opinions and FOSS alternatives/forks - they helped! This whole thing helped!

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[–] noduh@sh.itjust.works 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm loving my paid version of Nova. there's a great free version if you wanna try it out too and there's a crazy amount of customization. I'm on a Pixel 5a right now and with the Pix Material You Light/Dark icons it's quite nice. I do think the default Pixel Launcher is more polished, but Nova just has so many options that I've gotten used to enjoying.

[–] RaketenRonny500@feddit.de 8 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Nova was bought by an Ad company a while ago and is now out for your data btw.

[–] noduh@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

It's sad that they were bought by an ad company and it's something I didn't know about. However, my data has been everywhere for years. I generally accept privacy policies knowing full well companies sell my data. It's something I think people should definitely be aware of, but when it comes to me personally I'm generally okay being a product to ad companies especially since I'd rather see ads that are interesting to me than random crap. It really is just my personal opinion though and I genuinely think people should be educated about their online privacy.

[–] punseye@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Maybe blocking Nova from the internet can be a solution?

[–] deBaron@feddit.nl 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do you have a source about the data collection?

[–] OsrsNeedsF2P@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

https://novalauncher.com/privacy/

Relevant collection:

Personal data
- Tracker, Usage Data
Any personal data tracked in 3rd party integration Bugsnag's privacy policy, which includes at least breadcrumbs, crashlogs, diagnostics, other app performance data, user ID and device ID, but can be configured to capture a lot more

Basically, they collect a lot more data than they need to for "just providing a launcher". They're identifying you as a user, tracking what you do, and they're absolutely selling it to data brokers/etc.

Source: My company sells data too

[–] deBaron@feddit.nl 1 points 1 year ago

Thank you! That is indeed concerningly more info than they need. I will see if I can find an open source alternative that fits my needs.

[–] lobo@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

agree also bought nova, what i like is configuration import/export im on my third phone with the same homescreen layout and settings and I only had to recreate widgets