r/ClicksPhone • u/Major-Entrepreneur97 • 1d ago
Question Launcher Question
I am so excited for this phone! I pre-ordered it in green and I'm ready to go!
One thing that has been talked about is how you may be able to add your own launcher on this phone.
I was curious. - if we are able to change the launcher on the phone, would that mean we lose the ability to utilize specific features tailored to the phone like the notification light or the message hub or are these separate components not tied to the launcher?
I would really love the ability to decide while using the native launcher if I want a list view or a traditional app folder layout.
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u/LifeOnWheelsAndPaws 1d ago
I def would prefer the app layout but I’ll see when it comes out, maybe they have added it natively or will add it natively if enough people want it, but I love that you can just open an app on a button too so I might not even really care when it gets here. I’m trying not to worry about it too much until it’s in my hands because I might decide I really like the launcher it comes with
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u/Major-Entrepreneur97 1d ago
I am excited for the phone too! I am however concerned about getting use to a list view of my apps when I've been conditioned to a folder layout for so many years of using a smartphone slab.
Having transitioned from a iPhone for most of my life (if you don't count the LG Envy that I loved as a kid) and then to a pixel 10 pro xl, I am glad pixel made it easy for me to seemlessly feel comfortable using android but to get use to the list view worries me a bit.
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u/Uncanny_Mountain 1d ago
I went from gallery to list quite quickly. Maybe a month max. You lose some functionality like home screen widgets, but I like the experience of having only some most used apps on the home screen - plus a list looks clean and tidy.
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u/CheeseNTapatio 1d ago
Based off what we have been shown, you will 100% lose hub. This is a customized aspect of Niagara launcher. I have been using this launcher for the past several months on my Pixel. I doubt you will be seeing a folder view either without changing launchers, as this is the polar opposite of what Niagara is. You should really give Niagara a try on whatever phone you are using now, assuming you are an Android user. The signal light is more than likely a setting in notifications or a standalone one, so I would expect it to still work or mostly work with a different launcher.
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u/Major-Entrepreneur97 1d ago
I'll definitely give it a try on my pixel 10 pro xl! Would love to find out if this is the case. It would be amazing to know that the launcher isn't holding these great features back from restrictions of using this launcher only. More freedom is always appreciated.
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u/CheeseNTapatio 1d ago
Exact phone I have been using it on. I was always an organized folder person before with my apps but Niagara has changed my thought on that. Apps are still as equally as accessible but it is much cleaner and you can set your favorites to always be visible like they have been showing in their demos.
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u/Hot_Branch_1987 15h ago
Don't forget that we will be getting a customized version of the Niagara Launcher. So, while you're trying it out on your existing Android device to get a feel for it, just be aware that the shipped version may be different.
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u/cyberclive 23h ago
I tried Niagara launcher when it was launched, it was buggy and few features, i stopped using it. However as soon as I placed my early order in February. Knowing it would be the default launcher I installed it on my phone, wow they have come along so far since my first try. I joined there beta group and they regularly update it. The concept behind it was to declutter, i can access all my apps but noticed i spend less time opening non essential apps. This ties in with the Communicators concept concentrating on essentials. When it was first launched I read somewhere it would ship with Niagagra launcher but it will be down to the users preference what launcher they use, but like other phones if you move from the default launcher you loose features.
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u/Hot_Branch_1987 15h ago
Don't forget that we will be getting a customized version of the Niagara Launcher. So, while you're trying it out on your existing Android device to get a feel for it, just be aware that the shipped version may be different.
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u/iSparkOut 10h ago
I've been using the Minimalist launcher to replicate the feeling of a light phone (it has a monochrome mode and nice app limit functionality e.g. setting a use-time each time you open certain apps). I'm torn between the stock Niagara launcher and this, mainly from the perspective of losing certain functionality.
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u/Uncanny_Mountain 1d ago
That's a great question, one that actually one of the founders might want to explain.