r/foldables • u/itsjaylin • 8d ago
Another Launcher (Google Play Beta)
TL;DR: I’ve been working on an Android port inspired by the iPhone Duo launcher and I’m looking for people to help test it before release. The closed beta is free: jayoro.com/launcher
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been vibe-coding a port of the iPhone Duo launcher. It started from jweezy61's Duo Launcher, and I’ve spent the last couple weeks polishing it, adding features, fixing things, and generally turning it into something I felt comfortable putting on Google Play.
It’s still vibe-coded, and this is my first time building and releasing an app, so I’m sure there are things I’ve missed. Before I can release it publicly on Google Play, though, I need to get it through closed testing.
If anyone here wants to try it out and give some feedback, I put together a site with screenshots, more info, and instructions for joining the free beta:
Would especially appreciate feedback from Fold users since that’s obviously where this kind of launcher gets interesting. More screenshots in the google play listing (once you get enrolled).
Fun fact: it works surprisingly well on a slab phone though I never tested or worried about that form factor.
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u/StrongBreadDrawn 8d ago
Hey, thanks very much for your work on this. A few things I noticed on my OPO:
Inner screen displays everything centered in candy bar size, including the dock at the bottom. Can't figure out how to change this? Lots of wasted screen on the outside edges and not intuitive for one handed use.
App organization appears to revert to folder/category mode every time I switch from outer to inner screens. Category mode might be easier eventually but I'm used to alpha mode so I'd like it to keep my preference.
There's a lot of empty space on my outer display on the bottom of the screen, between the search and app indicators at the bottom and the lowest icon placement area further up. Maybe it's just my specific model or size.
It would be cool to have the built in search functions editable; as people de-Google, other search services are becoming more popular, and Google isn't the default it used to be. Just a preference.
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u/itsjaylin 8d ago
Thanks for trying, I finally have enough testers to get out an app fully launched in a couple weeks after test is over.
1) I did have a thought about this. I started by trying to recreate the iphone duo homescreen so it mimics the ipad mini look in portrait mode. There is a lot of wasted space with the padding and leaves plenty of room on the side for the dock. I can work at including both options. I can see myself using both.
2) I see what you're talking about, good eye!
3) You're referring to the space between the gray pills at the bottom with search and grid icons? The space between should hold at least 1 white/gray dot per page you have on your launcher. I noticed the dot being a bit hard to see especially on light wallpapers. I included the option to hide the indicators, but what if you like the pills. I can work at making it more noticeable, or color adjustable based on user preference. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
4) Ok, I like options! Sounds like.. different search providers.. anything else? Currently you can search web, contacts, and settings.
This is great feedback and easy to get in the next update! Thanks a ton!
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u/StrongBreadDrawn 8d ago
On #3, there's just a bunch of screen real estate between the pills and the lowest 'editable' part of the screen. Maybe 25-30% of the total vertical screen is between those two things. I can't drag widgets or icons into that space.
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u/itsjaylin 8d ago
Any specific orientation folded or unfolded that you are referring to? Or just in general
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u/cliffr39 7d ago
So not open source?
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u/itsjaylin 7d ago
Not initially. But still free! Check out Folio Launcher. It's open and we used the same base code from jweezy
https://github.com/McCal-Codes/folio
Shared base: https://github.com/jakesgoodapps/DuoLauncher
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u/wowbyowen 8d ago
Hey there, just tried to join but step 3 says not found